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Aussie scientists create "ground breaking" diet to effectively combat type 2 diabetes

Xinhua, February 11, 2016 Adjust font size:

Australian scientists have formulated a "ground breaking" new diet which has proven to be highly effecting in reducing the burden of type 2 diabetes.

With more than 350 million people diagnosed with the condition, in which the body is unable to manage blood glucose levels, type 2 diabetes can often initially be managed effectively through regular physical activity and a healthy diet.

But scientists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) on Thursday detailed plans of a world-first diet which could result in sufferers requiring up to 40 percent less medication.

The diet incorporates foods which are very low in carbohydrates, but higher in protein and unsaturated fats, and came about as a result of a 1-million-U.S dollar National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) funded study.

A typical meal in the diet could be a tuna, ricotta and avocado salad for lunch, followed by a chicken, vegetable and almond stir fry for dinner. Snacks throughout the day include a small helping of pecan buts and 100 grams of low fat plain yoghurt.

Associate Professor Grant Brinkworth, principal research scientist at the CSIRO said the research results were "ground breaking" and that those who tested the diet described the results as "life changing."

"Health professionals have been divided over the best dietary approach for managing type 2 diabetes, and the ongoing uncertainty is a hotly debated topic amongst clinicians and researchers," Brinkworth said in a statement on Thursday.

"The most amazing benefit of the low carbohydrate diet was the reduction in the patient's medication levels, which was more than double the amount than the volunteers following the lifestyle program with the high-carbohydrate diet plan.

"Some of the participants managed to cease their medications altogether, and many described the study as life changing."

He said current methods of managing type 2 diabetes were now "outdated" and the new diet could form part of a non-invasive new treatment method for dealing with the condition.

More than 800,000 Australians live with type 2 diabetes, and the CSIRO estimates the new diet could save those with the condition up to 150 million U.S dollars annually through reductions in diabetes-related treatments. Endit