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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-10-14 Daily Xml
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Diabetes

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (15:40): Today, I would like to talk about some of the research undertaken at SAHMRI by the CSIRO Food and Nutrition flagship. This group was responsible for the renowned Total Wellbeing Diet. The research I wish to talk about today was research I was directly involved in. The research leader was Grant Brinkworth—a Senior Research Scientist in Human Nutrition at the CSIRO. The two-year CSIRO study on type 2 diabetics was done in collaboration with UniSA, the University of Adelaide and Flinders University. The study involved both diet and exercise.

Firstly, some background on diabetes. Diabetes is Australia's fastest growing chronic disease. There are approximately 1.1 million people with diabetes in Australia. Every day, 280 Australians develop diabetes; one person every five minutes. It is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia. More than 100,000 Australians have developed diabetes in the past year. In 2013, diabetes caused 5.1 million deaths globally.

There are different types of diabetes. The three main types are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. We know that type 2 diabetes involves a complex disruption to the glucose mechanism, including insulin resistance in cells and the more gradual loss of pancreatic function and insulin production. Type 2 diabetes occurs in a higher percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons than in the general population. It is estimated that 58 per cent of type 2 diabetes can be prevented.

People at risk of type 2 diabetes can delay and even prevent the condition by following a healthy lifestyle by maintaining a healthy weight, regular physical activity, making healthy food choices, managing blood pressure, managing cholesterol levels and not smoking. Being overweight or obese is one risk factor in type 2 diabetes; it is not a direct cause. Some people who are overweight may not develop type 2 diabetes, while some people who are at a healthy weight will develop type 2 diabetes. Many Australians, particularly those over 40, are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes through lifestyle factors such as nutrition and physical activity. Family history and genetics also play a role in type 2 diabetes.

Now, back to the study. The CSIRO commenced the study in 2012 and required participants to commit to one of two diets: one centred on a very low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet, and the other centred on a highly unrefined carbohydrate, low-protein diet. Participants were required to undertake one hour of supervised exercise three days a week.

So, what were the outcomes? In terms of the overall study, during the first 12 months, there was an overall average 10 per cent reduction in body weight. No difference was noticed in the two diets, and this was expected as both groups were on kilojoule-matched, limited diets. Furthermore, blood pressure lowered by an average of six millimetres of mercury, HbA1c levels lowered by an average of 1 per cent, fasting blood glucose levels lowered by 13 per cent, insulin lowered on average by 35 per cent, and LDL cholesterol lowered on average by 6 per cent.

These changes in clinical measurements represent significant health improvements that could reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. The interesting observation was that, in the next 12 months, results slipped as participants became less vigilant about their diet and exercise. This is a challenge for researchers on how they can continue to motivate and support people with diabetes to start and, just as importantly, continue to exercise and maintain a healthy, structured diet.

The epidemic of type 2 diabetes has huge implications for our health system, noting that diabetes is the prime cause of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, blindness, strokes, neuropathy and amputations. With one person in every five minutes in Australia being diagnosed with diabetes, it represents a huge challenge to our health system not only in terms of cost but also in terms of human suffering. I commend the CSIRO's food and nutritional group for the critical role they are playing in enhancing the state's health research.

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