Are you ready? with Leigh Elder

We are taking a break on the Gold Coast for a couple of weeks and noticed a mind-boggling statistic stating that every day in Australia, 6 people have lower limbs amputated at an average cost of $26,000 each.

So, that's over 300 Australians a year losing limbs at a total cost of over $800 million. This is tip of the iceberg stuff when you start factoring in expensive medications and the raft of other medical problems arising from this preventable medical condition.

Over the past decade or so, we have consulted with many type 2 diabetics, and I cannot remember one who did not improve their condition after they had learned some really basic and simple food and life skills. Let's start with the question, 'Do you realise that you are intolerant to glucose?” The answer is invariably no, and most of these people have little or no idea how to put this right.

Once they understand the relationship between protein, fat and carbohydrate, and that the latter 2 have no effect on blood-sugar levels they are away to a good start. The next step is for them to find out what different food and drink options contain with regard to these 3 main food categories, followed up by some basic ideas on what happens during digestion of different foods and how they need to cope as diabetics.

Obviously, with carbohydrate supplying the glucose, they need to learn how to control both the amount and the quality of the carbohydrate that they eat. We note that some advice given is to count the grams of carbohydrate they eat each day. This micro-management method is both tricky to manage and does not take into account that, say 10 g of the carbohydrate in a banana will raise blood-sugar levels far more than 10 grams of rolled oats carbohydrate.

We prefer a macro-management style where individuals, armed with the right information, make their own call on their food and drink choices and reduce medication when the daily blood-tests they take indicate their blood-sugar levels are improving.

Over the past few months we have run wellness challenges with pre and type 2 diabetics from 6 local GP practices. The pre diabetics are no longer at risk, a number of the diabetics no longer have to inject insulin, and across the board medication has been decreased. Other benefits include weight loss, relief from painful foot neuropathy and sleep apnoea, and improvements in other medical markers including the most crucial blood-sugar marker, HbA1c levels.

Why focus on type 2 diabetics? It all starts with the recognition that many type 2 diabetics are compliant with their daily medication and highly motivated to improve this life threatening condition. They quite simply do not know how and once armed with the necessary know-how and skills, absolutely relish the opportunity to positively self-manage their condition.

Although EFK works well for anybody with weight, diabetes and metabolic issues, type 2 diabetics sits at the front of our queue because of the reasons we have detailed, the results are positively life-changing and the health care cost savings are significant.

What is different about EFK and why is it so effective?

Dr Dianne Davis of Whangarei says,'My passion as a GP has always been to empower patients with knowledge so that they can take control of their own health. It is for this very reason that I have been impressed with the EFK programme.

I was amazed at the level of understanding, one of my patients Sonny had gained on how to manage his diabetes, in a very short period of time and without feeling deprived or restricted. EFK is certainly not 'just another diet'”.

Most people we have met over the years are quite confused about how to make the right food choices and this is like a kind of nutritional dyslexia.

Once people are armed with the big picture of nutrition, learn some relevant food and life skills and actually know what their own nutritional needs are, they know how to make the right food choices and know why these are right.

This applies to all situations they may encounter including being either at home or away. At the supermarket or at a cafe, restaurant or take away location they understand how different food options and combinations will affect their bodies once they have eaten them. You will not see them minutely studying food labels, they will be more interested in the appearance, weight and texture of what is in front of them.

From experience, the EFK team believe that the way forward to beat these epidemics is through education and are in the process of developing a unique programme which will be available across all digital platforms.

What's ‘The EFK Experience' about?

It is based on the EFK concepts which have proved effective in a wide range of settings for over a decade.

The users can learn the basics in less than I hour and it provides the full range of learning methods – text, video, games, photos/graphics and multiple choice questions and has links to relevant and useful information like recipes, tips/ideas and exercise videos.

It will be a complete solution for anyone with weight, diabetes or metabolic issues all in the same place. and will build a connected community with strong social media programme – fun games and competitions will have a stealth learning emphasis.

It will also be a place to share many inspiring personal stories. and have wide ranging usage including individuals, schools, workplaces, GP practices and other health organisations, gyms and clubs.

It will be truly a unique, complete, affordable, one-of-a-kind resource for all kiwis to have access to.

If you would like to be kept up to date with progress in the development of this new programme visit www.eatforkeeps.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Contact: leigh@eatforkeeps.com 027 294 1980