Sue has a 40-year career in genetics research and had always been healthy. But after the birth of her third child, she began to have trouble with her weight. Her family has a history of heart disease and circulatory problems, so she tried various diets to avoid going down the same path. But the weight always came back, and her HbA1c slowly crept up. She was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, aged 71, in 2020, with an HbA1c of 8.7.

“My husband and I live in New Zealand, but during Covid, we moved to Australia to be with our grown children. While there, I watched Michael Mosely’s documentary ‘Australia’s Health Revolution,’ which showed how type 2 diabetes could be managed through diet. 

“Being newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, I was fascinated; nobody had seriously suggested changing my diet to manage my condition.  My doctor wanted me to take metformin, but after just two days on the medication, I felt worse than ever. I stopped taking it and began researching carbohydrate restriction to manage my type 2 diabetes. 

“I found Defeat Diabetes during an internet search and started a free trial; immediately, I was hooked. I find the videos helpful in understanding what’s happening to me and how I can manage my condition naturally. Being a scientist, I’m always looking for data, so I really enjoy Dr Paul Mason’s videos which go into the evidence supporting this way of eating. What I have found particularly interesting is the impact of seed oils on your health - I wouldn’t have known that without the program. 

“It took me a while to learn what to eat (and what not to!) and how to cook a little differently, but once you’re used to it, it’s so easy. Dieting was always so discouraging and painful; limiting calories without constantly feeling hungry was impossible. But changing what I eat rather than how much I eat has been a revelation. Incredibly, we have come full circle; now I cook like my mum did when I was a kid in the 50s. 

“I have no problem sticking to this new way of eating, even though we travel and eat out a lot. I’m not tempted to abandon low carb because it’s greatly impacted my life. My son, a GP, was initially sceptical that it would work for me, but he and his wife, an ICU consultant, have been closely following my journey and are so impressed with my results. 

“When I started following the Defeat Diabetes Program and eating the recommended foods, my blood sugars started to come down almost immediately. But what surprised me was how much more energy I had. My legs, sore for years, no longer hurt, and I regained the feeling in the tips of my toes. I’ve reduced my HbA1c from 8.7 to 6.4 and dropped 6 notches on my belt. 

“It’s so easy once you start - and it's a much better alternative to taking medication!

“I don’t want to end my life as an invalid or be sick from the side effects of diabetes. I now look better, and most importantly, I feel better.”