Why Aussies need to take the diabetes epidemic more seriously
Diabetes has become one of today’s major health epidemics and is arguably the chief crisis facing Australia’s medical system in the immediate future. Diabetes Australia says 1.7 million Australians currently have some form of diabetes, with 280 Australians developing the condition every day. But we’re still some way from the public recognising the scope of the threat this condition presents, particularly when it comes to type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body fails to produce enough insulin in the pancreas, or becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin. While some have a genetic predisposition towards the condition, lifestyle factors like high blood pressure, insufficient physical activity, obesity and a poor diet all play a part.
Though it might not get as much press as other conditions, if left untreated the risks of type 2 diabetes can lead to serious long-term complications.
Professor Mark Febbraio, Head of the Cellular and Molecular Metabolism Laboratory and Head of the Diabetes and Metabolism Division at the Garvan Institute for Medical Research, says, “The concept of type 2 diabetes, because it’s a chronic disease, isn’t really that scary to people. But the consequences of diabetes are very dire.
“If you have type 2 diabetes that isn’t managed effectively, then you’ll have much higher levels of glucose, or sugar, in your blood than you should. Too much glucose can cause terrible complications, especially over a long period of time. It can lead to problems like blindness, kidney failure and severe damage to blood supply which can result in amputations of limbs.”
Diabetes Australia says that people with diabetes are four times more likely to suffer heart attacks and strokes, three times more likely to suffer kidney failure and 15 times more likely to have to undergo amputation. Diabetes is also the leading cause of preventable blindness in Australia, and more than 30 per cent of those diagnosed with the condition experience anxiety, depression and distress.
Perhaps the most tragic thing about the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Australia is the fact that plenty of measures can be taken to decrease the likelihood of it occurring.
As Garvan’s Professor Febbraio states, “The thing is, people know what they need to do, they just don’t do it. And that’s why we have an obesity, type 2 diabetes epidemic.
“If somebody is on the path to type 2 diabetes, the best thing they can do is exercise. While not being effective at reducing body weight in all individuals, it certainly has an effect in some individuals. And it has the added benefit of leading to insulin sensitivity. So, for people who have insulin resistance, exercise is certainly contributing to the healing process.
“So, if you’re in pre-diabetes, even a half hour walk everyday would probably be of benefit.”
While the threat of type 2 diabetes is very real, it’s by no means a death sentence and can be managed if you’re willing to make the appropriate lifestyle changes.
Professor Febbraio says exercise and healthy eating choices are the best course of action. “If you exercise and you don’t lose weight, it doesn’t mean that it’s a failure,” he explains.
“And the thing is, diabetes is linked to many diseases including liver cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer and Alzheimer’s. These diseases are what we call metabolic diseases now, because if people exercise these diseases can be prevented.
“People also need to eat well, which means eating a lot of vegetables and less processed carbohydrates, so cutting down on bread and pasta, because they really play havoc with glucose control. And obviously being active is a big part of it.”
Type 2 diabetes is one of the most significant challenges facing the Australian medical system today. The Garvan Institute is leading the way in research into this debilitating condition, to point the way towards earlier, more-effective preventative measures, personalised treatments and ultimately a better understanding of the disease.
For more information or to support Garvan’s research into Diabetes, please visit garvan.org.au.
THIS IS SPONSORED CONTENT BROUGHT TO YOU IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE GARVAN INSTITUTE.