University of Zululand lecturer researches diet’s role in curbing Type 2 diabetes
Search on for volunteers to participate in study
DIABETES is fast becoming one of the most common diseases from which South Africans suffer, with experts predicting that its prevalence could double by 2030.
With this in mind, University of Zululand (Unizulu) lecturer in biokinetics, Gerrit Breukelman, is working on a PhD study on the effects of low carbohydrate, high fat (LCHF) diets on Type 2 diabetes.
Also referred to as adult-onset or late-onset diabetes, Type 2 diabetes is reportedly the category into which most sufferers of the disease fall and is usually brought on by diet and lifestyle factors.
‘Owing to technological advancements, people are not as active as in the past and this, coupled with the trend towards more unhealthy foods compared to previous decades, has contributed to the upward spiral in diabetes cases,’ says Breukelman.
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‘This, as well as changing from high-carbohydrate, low-fat (HCLF) diets to LCHF diets and incorporating exercise, are likely to produce sustainable behavioural changes. There are three main questions this research will attempt to answer.
‘What are the effects of a LCHF diet on Type 2 diabetes?; what effects will a home-based recreational exercise programme with a LCHF diet have?; does changing to a LCHF diet negatively affect the kidneys and liver?’
Seventy-five women volunteers in the 20 to 65 year age group with Type 2 diabetes will be recruited for Breukelman’s study, which is set to start in July and run for 16 weeks.
He is looking for interested members of the public who will be dedicated to the study.
Anyone interested in participating can contact Breukelman on 035 9026957 or BreukelmanG@unizulu.ac.za.
While he has specified women participants, Breukelman will consider men with a keen interest in the study.
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