With more than 77 million people living with the condition in India alone, type 2 diabetes has become a common illness that opens the door for many other problems.
There is no cure for diabetes but according to a new study, people with type 2 diabetes may be able to effectively control it through diet and assistance from local pharmacists.
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As part of the research, half of a group of diabetics were placed on a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, higher-protein diet. They were also made to be in regular contact with their pharmacist who could monitor their medications.
The research team from the University of British Columbia and Teesside University said community pharmacists are generally more accessible than family doctors, especially in rural areas. They also have expertise in medication management and can serve a key role in overall diabetes care.
At the end of 12 weeks, more than a third of the patients consuming the special diet was able to go off all diabetes medication versus none in the control group.
In addition to this, the diet group also reported notable improvements in glucose control, average body weight, systolic blood pressure and overall health. The research proved that dietary interventions can reduce the need for glucose-lowering medications for many.
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