“New Zealand (NZ) does not endorse carbohydrate reduction as a viable option for individuals, but rather cautions against it. The NZ Society for the Study of Diabetes states in their guidelines ‘meta-analyses show that the benefits of ketogenic diets are unlikely to be sustained’ (5,6) and the Ministry of Health states ‘Very low carbohydrate diets: Not recommended’.(5)”
(5) Popular diets review. 2022.
Available at https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-living/food-activity-and-sleep/popular-diets-review [accessed January 2024].
Health New Zealand’s recommendations on popular diets is here. Note that a very-low carbohydrate diet is NOT recommended. There is no advice about vegetarian or vegan diets. There is a recommendation in favour of a Mediterranean Diet and a specification of that diet which is helpful. But they are still lipo-phobic and recommend that butter is less healthy and should be replaced with margarine.
This eight-page research review is very strong on new medication and new technologies. The section on lifestyle modification and dietary modification is less than half a page.
The Health New Zealand Standard for dietary advice is “Eating and Activity Guidelines”.
(6) Paul R.
Type 2 diabetes management guidance Updated 2023 Recommendations. 2023.
Available at https://t2dm.nzssd.org.nz/File-2.html [accessed January 2024].
Transforming Lives: Dr Ryan Paul
Ryan Paul (Ngāti Maru, Hauraki) is an endocrinologist at Te Whatu Ora Waikato and the University of Waikato. His research and presentation has a particular focus on inequities in access to diabetes therapeutics and technologies in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Ryan’s talk is introduced by Wellington and Tairāwhiti-based endocrinologist, Rosemary Hall.
Quality Standards for Diabetes Care 2020
Health New Zealand has published Quality Standards for Diabetes Care here.
The document is strong on recommending medical tests and treatment by trained staff. Log on promises and I expect short on delivery. For instance, I was in a specialist heart ward in the Christchurch Public Hospital. I was unable to get a ketogenic diet by request. The staff did try to cater for my needs, but it’s not possible to meet them in the current system. Given that about half the patients in the ward were diabetic, this is a problem. Serving canned fruit, Milo as a drink, sugar in the tea and coffee, porridge, toast with margarine and jam. Lots of things that could be done to improve the diet and educate patients.
Epidemic as diabetes rates soar in the Pacific
The Economic and Social Cost of Type 2 Diabetes in Aotearoa New Zealand
– Currently 4.7% of New Zealanders have type 2 diabetes and this will almost double over the next 20 years. – The current annual cost of type 2 diabetes is $2.1 billion and this is predicted to increase to $3.5 billion by 2040. – Pacific, Asian and Māori people have much higher rates of type 2 diabetes. – By 2040, one in four Pacific people could have type 2 diabetes. – Urgent action is needed to change this trajectory. We are calling for a National Diabetes Strategy to ensure equitable provision of prevention and treatment programmes across Aotearoa.
PreKure GP Peer Support Group
We have started a peer group for GPs that are interested in discussing or learning more about how nutrition, in particular, low-carbohydrate nutrition, can help the treatment of chronic diseases.
Have we ridden the low-carb wave?
Have we ridden the low-carb wave? In the last 10 years, we have seen the low-carb movement take hold and seen amazing clinical results in chronic conditions. Dr Caryn Zinn discusses the science, practice and system changes in low-carb diets, where we have come from, where we are at, and where we are headed at the Future of Medicine Conference 2023.
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