SureSlim takes action against Type 2 Diabetes

SureSlim takes action against Type 2 Diabetes as NZ joins the top 20 of World’s Fattest Countries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

28 MARCH 2007:

There are currently 1.6 billion overweight adults in the world, according to the World Health Organization. That number is projected to grow by 40% over the next 10 years. New Zealand ranks number 17 in the list of the World’s Fattest Countries with 68.5% of New Zealanders aged 15 years and older being described as overweight. These are individuals who have individual body mass indexes greater than or equal to 25.

The link between weight and Type 2 Diabetes has been proven and if these projections are true the level of the disease and subsequent cost to the country over the next 10 years will be staggering.

Spurred by a genuine concern about the level of Type 2 Diabetes in New Zealand and a desire to positively effect change on sufferers, SureSlim New Zealand undertook a study designed to measure the effect of the SureSlim diet on Type 2 Diabetes.

With the prevalence of the condition increasing the importance of finding a resolution for this epidemic and avoiding the economic cost on the health system of both the treatment of the disease and co-morbid conditions has become a national concern.

In 1996, 82,000 adult Kiwis were affected by type 2 diabetes. Today, it is estimated that 105,000 people are affected. Worryingly, over 100,000 more kiwis are thought to have the disease but are as yet undiagnosed. Obesity and being overweight now affects 85% of the male Pacific population, 57% of Maori men and 53% of NZ European men. The statistics for the female population are equally concerning.

The facts:
105,000 Kiwis diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and 7,500 newly diagnosed each year.
115,000 are undiagnosed and 300,000 are at risk.
4,500 people die from diabetes each year.
85% of diabetics have type 2 diabetes and about half of these can prevent it with simple lifestyle changes.
85% of type 2 diabetics are overweight.

3.1% Pakeha have diabetes, 8.3% Maori and 8.1% Pacific Islanders.
By 2020 the numbers are predicted to increase by 31% for Pakeha and 50% for Maori and PIs.

Type 2 Diabetes can cause a variety of medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke, amputation and blindness. Currently there are 3563 patients with End Stage Kidney Disease in New Zealand receiving some form of Renal Replacement Therapy. (This is either Dialysis or a Kidney Transplant). Without renal replacement therapy these patients die within days or weeks. 43% of all patients requiring renal replacement therapy are as a result of diabetic nephropathy with Maori and Pacific people 3.5 times more likely to have kidney failure

The cost of dialysis is estimated to cost $50,000 per patient per annum with transplant costs being lower depending on the longevity of the graft. Currently it is estimated it costs $80 million to treat Kidney Disease in New Zealand annually. It is estimated that currently there are more than 268,000 adults with significant renal impairment in New Zealand; this is a conservative figure with the majority of these as a result of Type 2 diabetes.

Alarmed at these statistics the Directors of SureSlim New Zealand enlisted Dr Kerry O’Brien, an independent health researcher based at the University of Wollongong to devise a study to investigate the effects of the SureSlim program on sufferers of Type 2 Diabetes. The study measures the effect on weight loss, diabetic control, dyslipidaemia, blood pressure and the health beliefs and quality of life of type 2 diabetics. Dr O’Brien has a special interest in obesity research and in particular, the psychological effects of obesity and weight loss.

SureSlim have developed a program specifically designed for Type 2 Diabetes. The D2 study, as it is known, started in December 2005 and now has 31 people that have reached the 24 week stage.

The results reveal statistically significant weight loss, BMI reductions and HbA1C improvements at 12 and 24 weeks. There were reductions in cholesterol levels and blood pressures normalised. The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS 1998) showed that a continuous relationship exists between hyperglycaemia and microvascular complications, with a 35% reduction in risk for each 1% decrease in HbA1c. Glycaemic control has minimal effect on macrovascular disease risk however and appears to be related to dyslipidaemia and hypertension. Weight loss clearly has a positive effect on these risk factors.

The study found that as subjects progressed through the SureSlim program, their perception of the seriousness of their diabetes increased. Research has shown that this tends to result in better treatment compliance. Significant improvements were also seen in all measures of diabetes quality of life; energy levels, mobility, anxiety, worry, and a 33% increase in sexual functioning. Subjects reported feeling better about their overall health and they placed greater emphasis on maintaining their improved health status and seeking to enhance it, after 24 weeks on the SureSlim program.

“The most important thing is that these results demonstrate that this is a disease that can help be controlled with the right nutrition and exercise. With advice, support and motivation a person suffering from Type 2 diabetes can markedly improve both their health and quality of life.” says Jay Harraway, General Manager, SureSlim New Zealand. “It doesn’t have to be generational issue, the cycle can be slowed and future generations will have a better quality of life.

“A 2002 report estimated that diabetes cost the taxpayer $247 million for 2001/02 and this is predicted to be over a billion dollars a year by 2021 or 12% of total health spending”, says Dr Denby, SureSlim’s Medical Advisor. “The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP, NEJM 2002) showed that with just 5-7% body weight loss there is a 58% reduction in the development of type 2 diabetes in those with impaired glucose tolerance. The UKPDS shows us that small reductions in HbA1C and blood pressure can have a profound effect on diabetes complication rates. These studies together show us that small changes can have a profound effect on type 2 diabetes.

The SureSlim D2 study will continue for another 6 months at which time further results will be published.

ENDS

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