Reversing diabetes: Taupō family weighs in

Before and After. Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Taupo helped David and Corena Adie to embrace a healthy lifestyle and to reverse David's diabetes. Photo / Supplied by Corena Adie

On Monday January 18, Corena Adie got an unexpected phone call.

It was Dr Glen Davies from Taupō Medical Centre ringing to tell her that husband David Adie's type 2 diabetes had reversed.

While experts differ over whether diabetes can be reversed or cured, or simply put into remission, a Newcastle University study led by Professor Roy Taylor in 2011 showed that putting people with Type 2 diabetes on a low-calorie diet meant some could reverse their diabetes.

Diabetes New Zealand says people should discuss with their GP or specialist before embarking on any kind of low-calorie diet.

But David, 52, and Corena are in no doubt he has beaten diabetes by changing his lifestyle.

The news was a far cry from July 2020 when David, who was dangerously overweight, collapsed at home in front of Corena, 48, and their two sons Brayden, 23, and Liam, 19, and was taken away in an ambulance.

David is a professional truck driver and Corena says being away from home for days at a time led to him and the whole family slipping into a less than healthy lifestyle.

"I was sick of being fat. Sick of my health holding me up," said Corena.

Back in January 2020, Corena was overweight, suffering a thyroid condition and questioning her own lifestyle. Working six days a week, lockdown provided the opportunity to research healthy eating and Corena started her own weight loss journey by taking on a low-carb, high-fat keto diet.

"Now 12 months later, I have dropped from a size 22 to a size 10 to 12. My thyroid hasn't given me any grief and I'm only on minimal medication for it."

In 12 months Corena Adie has dropped from a size 22 to a size 10 to 12 by following a keto diet. Photo / Supplied by Corena Adie

She says before David was diagnosed with diabetes in July, he was a typical truckie who loved to socialise.

"He came out of the hospital, and the first thing he asked for was a Pinky bar. His blood sugar levels were through the roof. I said to him, 'I'll get it for you, but this is the last one.'

"He had become a liability to New Zealand roads, and he was a liability to his company."

Son Brayden was also overweight, and has now dropped from a size 3XL to XL.

Corena says their journey back to health has been a rollercoaster ride. She says they are a close family and proudly refers to them as "the keto family".

Corena says there has been some negativity from others, probably because they don't socialise as much as they used to.

"We don't drink anymore as it doesn't fit into our lifestyle."

The close-knit "Keto Family" have collectively lost 100kg. Pictured is Brayden Adie. Photo / Supplied by Corena Adie.

She says before he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, David would never go for a walk but now the family tries to fit in a bit of exercise every day and David has dropped from a size 4XL to a size large.

She says people say, "Oh you can't stay on keto forever, it's too expensive."

"It costs us a small fortune, but what price do you put on your health? I have just recently lost a friend aged 49 to diabetes, I don't want to lose my husband."

Unhealthy eating habits and becoming overweight is an issue throughout the trucking industry, and Corena says with the backing of Dr Davies she is hoping to do something about it.

"I want others to know how fast you can become a diabetic. One day I hope to open a keto truck stop to support healthy eating in our industry. I would hate to see other truckies get so sick like my Dave did."

In the weeks ahead, David will be out of town for four days driving a truck, and while he is away he will only be eating food prepared by Corena, who spends a day a week in the kitchen making food for the coming week.

Corena says a huge thank you goes to John and Eja van Deventer, who mentored the Adie family these past 12 months and attend every meeting held by Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Taupō (RT2DT).

Taupō Medical Centre general practitioner and founder of RT2DT, Dr Glen Davies, says the Adie family success story offers huge encouragement to other families who face health issues related to poor diet. He says the start of the year is a great time to make good on New Year resolutions to lose weight.

"Being healthy starts with nutrition. Weight loss is all about nutrition. We now understand the mechanism of weight loss. Come and learn how to lose weight to reverse your chronic health problems and have more energy."

Dr Davies said RT2DT is having its first meeting on Wednesday, February 3 and this meeting will be an introduction to low-carb eating. RT2DT meets regularly throughout each month, with the first meeting of each month being for beginners. Meetings are free and a mentoring service is available from people who have reversed their own health problems.

He says RT2DT is ideal for anyone wanting to understand how to lose weight without feeling hungry, and for those wanting to reverse their type 2 diabetes. Dr Davies says people don't have to have diabetes to learn how correct nutrition can dramatically improve their health.

From February 1, Pharmac will be funding new diabetic medicines and in anticipation of this happening and because a review hadn't been done in a decade, the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes with support from the Ministry for Health, released new guidance notes on January 18.

Top of the list for their guide to healthy eating is that diabetics should get nutritional education from a registered dietitian or receive education around a diet that is nutrient-dense and contains low glycaemic index carbohydrates.

In support of the approach taken by Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Taupō, the guidance says recent evidence suggests low-energy, low glycaemic index and modified macro-nutrient dietary approaches can be effective in achieving weight loss and remission of type 2 diabetes, but there is no conclusive evidence to suggest one dietary strategy is more effective than any other.

Diabetes New Zealand communications and marketing manager Frances Redpath says there are many diets that assist with weight loss, but emphasises there is not a single approach to nutrition that will suit everyone.

"Any diet that causes weight loss in someone with diabetes could eventuate in the reversal of diabetes in some people, as part of a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise.

"You should always consult your diabetes team before making major changes to how you eat."

Diabetes United Kingdom says on its web page that it doesn't use the term "diabetes reversal" because this might sound like it's permanent.

"There's no guarantee that your diabetes has gone forever. But yes, it may be possible to put your type 2 diabetes into remission. This is when your blood sugar levels are below the diabetes range and you don't need to take diabetes medication anymore. This could be life-changing."

Kick start your weight loss programme for 2021

Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Taupo (RT2DT) first meeting is Wednesday, February 3 at

St Paul's Union Church hall. Entry is free and anyone interested in weight loss is welcome.