Although medication is the first resort for many diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, we think that simple and effective changes to diet should form part of the overall healthcare plan. With type 2 diabetes being Australia’s fastest growing epidemic, the education of patients (and practitioners) is urgently needed.

This month we recap some of the most interesting stories and ground-breaking studies from the world of pre and type 2 diabetes.

1. World Diabetes Day

November 14 was World Diabetes Day, and we highlighted the importance of affordable and ongoing access to care and education for people living with diabetes.

2. A new national diabetes strategy for Australia

The Australian Government released the National Diabetes Strategy 2021-30. The purpose of the document is to prioritise Australia’s response to diabetes and identify approaches to reduce the impact of diabetes in the community.Read Dr Brukner’s take on the National Diabetes Strategy 2021-30.

3. Long-term remission is possible in the majority of people

A new study “Defining type 2 diabetes remission: KISS goodbye to confusion?” published in the Lancet showed that with maintained weight loss of at least 10kg, type 2 diabetes remission is possible in a significant proportion of people. Younger age, early-stage disease, lower number of diabetes medications, and greater weight loss are indicators of success.

4. Women more likely to enroll in Diabetes Prevention Program focused on lifestyle change

A diabetes study published in The Diabetes Educator showed women are three times more likely than men to enroll in the national Diabetes Prevention Program, although once enrolled, men and women were both highly engaged with lifestyle intervention programs. Blokes, there’s a reason to give Defeat Diabetes a go!

5. An increasing prevalence of diabetes worldwide reveals a corresponding increase in prediabetes.

At the EASD 2021 conference, leading healthcare professionals discussed the importance of prediabetes, what the science says about its complications, and how we should approach treatment. They concluded that the global prevalence of prediabetes is on the rise. By taking action and treating prediabetes, people can delay or prevent the complications of diabetes by adopting lifestyle interventions that improve nerve function in those with prediabetes.

6. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged as young as six are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

New research shows northern Australia leads the world for type 2 diabetes in young people, with only 14% of young people with blood sugar in normal range according to shocking new study.

P.s. Keen to know more about the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Indigenous communities? Watch our interview with Ray Kelly, exercise physiologist and proud Gomeroi man, working to reduce the impact of type 2 diabetes in communities across Australia.

7. Intermittent fasting: A good choice for gestational diabetes

New research from the University of South Australia suggests that intermittent fasting is an effective way to enable women with gestational diabetes greater choice and flexibility when it comes to postpartum weight loss.

Women should seek advice from a health professional before commencing this type of diet, to make sure that it is suitable for them. Read more about gestational diabetes here.

8.Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a “silent” disease that deserves more attention.

As many as 60-70 percent of patients with type 2 diabetes will develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). According to this article in Diabetes Daily, that likelihood increases if you also have obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, or sleep apnea, the chances are likely even higher.

Read more about Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) here.

9. Gut microbiome linked with type 2 diabetes

Four species of bacteria that are common in the gut microbiome among healthy Finnish adults were associated with incident type 2 diabetes during long-term follow-up. The findings represent a step towards improved prediction of risk for incident type 2 diabetes and development of effective treatments.