As per a new study, type 2 diabetes can be treated and sometimes reversed, with dietary interventions. However, pharmacists need a strategy to help people implement these interventions while keeping an eye on their medication changes
During a recent study, a research team found that people with Type 2 diabetes can effectively control it through diet and pharmacists are well-positioned to supervise the transition.
The research from the University of British Columbia and England’s Teesside University, published in Nature Communications, was part of a 12-week study involving a specialized diet that was managed by local pharmacists.
Study participants, all living with Type 2 diabetes, were given a meal plan of low calorie, low carbohydrate, higher protein foods and they checked in regularly with their pharmacist who could monitor their medications.
“Type 2 diabetes can be treated, and sometimes reversed, with dietary interventions,” said study co-author Dr Jonathan Little.
“However, we needed a strategy to help people implement these interventions while keeping an eye on their medication changes,” added Dr Jonathan.
Pharmacists are generally more accessible than a family doctor, says Little, noting that people with Type 2 diabetes often make more visits a year to their pharmacist than their doctor. This is especially true in rural areas.
“Community pharmacists have expertise in medication management and can serve an important role in overall diabetes care,” said Dr Jonathan, an associate professor in UBC Okanagan’s School of Health and Exercise Sciences.
“When Type 2 diabetes patients follow a very low-carbohydrate or low-calorie diet, there is a need to reduce or eliminate glucose-lowering medications. Community pharmacists are ideally positioned to safely and effectively deliver interventions targeted at reducing diabetes medications while promoting Type 2 diabetes remission,” added Dr Jonathan.
News source: NCBI
