Taken from this weeks British Medical Journal: we are finalists in the diabetes team of the year category!
Beating obesity and diabetes
'The scale of the twin epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes is daunting. “Back in 2012 there was a tendency to see it as hopeless,” says David Unwin, senior partner at the Norwood Surgery in Southport. “I think we were a little demoralised. We were particularly concerned about younger patients, who we felt were at the greatest risk of the long term effects of diabetes. So we trialled the idea of a more collaborative approach, identifying patients’ personal health goals and linking them with a low carbohydrate diet.”
A pilot was launched in January 2013 and 68 patients volunteered to join it. The plan involved group work that included family members, underpinned by a positive, solution focused psychological model to improve motivation to adopt a low carbohydrate diet. The first results showed significant reductions in haemoglobin A1c, weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, with several patients coming off medication altogether. So the approach was broadened to the whole practice.
“What has really surprised us is how enthusiastic the patients have been, particularly in joining in with our regular group meetings which include interested family members,” Unwin says. “The other surprise was how well tolerated the low carb diet was. Three years later eight members of the team are on the diet with our patients.”
As a practice Norwood Surgery now spends £45 000 (€57 000; $64 000) a year less on drugs for diabetes than is average in the area. Obesity prevalence dropped from 9.4% to 7.5%, and blood glucose levels have been reduced by 10%.'
Fingers crossed for the ceremony on Thursday night please folks -you helped me start this!!
BMJ fianlists here: http://thebmjawards.bmj.com/64277
Graham
Please check out our website www.lowcarbdiabetic.co.uk We created and maintain this site without any help from anyone else. In doing so, we do not receive direct or indirect funding from anyone. We do not accept money or favours to manipulate the evidence in any way. Please visit our Low Carb food and recipe blog www.lowcarbdietsandrecipes.blogspot.com
10 comments:
Dear Jan, I must admit I don't comment on your blog. Not being a diabetic, I'm not sure I'd have anything useful to say. Perhaps my dedication to getting some serious cardio exercise it relevant. But I do appreciate your regular comments on my blog. Hope you find it interesting. Cheers.
I hear many people are on a low carb. diet for many reasons. I'm not as yet!
Hi 'Furry Gnome' and thanks so much for stopping by.
I always enjoy my visits to your blog and seeing your lovely photo's.
So pleased to see you here on the low carb diabetic and hope you may visit again soon.
We do have a variety of articles, recipes, news items etc and every Saturday has a regular music night spot!
We hope something for everyone to read and enjoy.
Hope your week is going well.
All the best Jan
Hello Margaret, and thanks for your comment.
It is true more and more are starting to either low carb or reduce their carb and sugar intake... which must be good for health!
But we all have to make our own decision, and it always helps to be informed, which we aim to do on this blog.
Many diabetics have found that by following a Low Carb High Fat lifestyle blood sugar numbers have been greatly improved and for some Type 2 Diabetics it has even resulted in Nil or reduced medication. Type 1 diabetics do of course need insulin, but many have found that by going LCHF this too can be reduced.
If you are diabetic it is always important to test your blood sugar numbers and to talk to your diabetic team.
Many thanks for your continuing support, it's always good to receive your thoughts and comments.
All the best Jan
Oooh good luck!
Hi Kezzie
Thanks for your comment.
Yes, we all wish him good luck - the good Doctor Unwin really deserves an award
All the best Jan
So he did not win - would be good to know a bit more about the diet he has put them on ? By his own admission he does not know, so not sure how he claims the diet is low carb.
"By his own admission he does not know, so not sure how he claims the diet is low carb" so says you anonymous one. One thing we can be sure of, he does not recommend the diet of slow death, as recommended by those numbskull's at the BDA.
Eddie
He has said he does not know what his patients are eating - so once again how can he claim they are low carbing?
That seems a reasonable thing to know I would say.
That's what you are saying, my experience is most anonymous negative posters are complete and utter liars. That is why they skulk in the shadows. Why don't you tell us about all your great work helping diabetics and saving a small fortune in medication costs for your medical practise.
Start posting something constructive or you have made your last comment here.
Eddie
BTW Thanks for increasing our page views, have a look around our blog, much for you to learn methinks.
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