End of Diabetes 2 ... Really ... How?

This is exciting news if it is true. Well actually I mean, this is wonderful and EXCITING news if it is true. I am a diabetic (type 2) and have recently been put on insulin to control my ever-increasing sugar levels which despite my other diabetic medication (metformin and another injection), is not falling.
A report today from the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-42154666 states that doctors in Newcastle and Glasgow have reversed nearly half of type 2 diabetics! This is incredible. Because those of us who have type 2 know how stubborn and almost impossible to manage never mind reverse.
But how was it reversed in this wonderful 'watershed' moment described by doctors?

Well simply by cutting a patient's daily calorie intake. Not really that simple. The daily calorie intake for these trial patients was 800 calories! Four fluid drinks of 200 calories a day! Ok, they are balanced with the right amount of minerals - but what about coffee, would I need to give that up? Yes!

I am sure it is a good idea - for many. Afterall, the amount of weight lost will be huge after being on it for five months. But don't forget, it is a very low calorie diet.  Diabetes UK has said this has the potential to help millions of patients (BBC).

So here are my highs and lows:

Highs 

• Drop all that medication 👍
• Weight loss 👍
• Longer live expectancy - a double thumbs up - 👍👍 
• 86% of patients who lost 15kg put their diabetes into remission (Lancet medical journal cited on BBC) 👍

Lows

•  A 800 calorie diet made up of 4 x 200 calorie drinks is draconian 👎
•  I would need my coffee - this is not an option for me. 👎
•  Five months is a long time to keep it up. 👎
•  I think it is ok if you don't have a lot of commitments and can spend time on it. 👎
•  The diabetes can return if you put the weight back on.👎

In conclusion, I think it is exciting news. For many diabetics it is the breakthrough they have been waiting for. For me, I have other health issues which may make this path impossible. Find out more on diabetes UK https://www.diabetes.org.uk

Remember, I would like to hear from other diabetics about this.

Rising Child Poverty: A DISGRACE in the 21st Century!

Now although I am a historian and still passionate about this subject I studied at university, this is not a history lesson. But I do feel that for those who may not know the background, I will briefly explain. Joseph Rowntree was a 19th century philanthropist and businessman  (those yummy chocolates!). What is significant here is that he was committed to improving social welfare for his employees. Rowntree was concerned about poverty and its causes. His work and legacy live on and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation carries on research into poverty. If you want to find out more about his work, click these links:

http://www.rowntreesociety.org.uk/rowntree-history-2/
https://www.jrf.org.uk/

As already mentioned, Joseph Rowntree Foundation is concerned with inspiring change through  research, so that's is concerned with working at government level. But ok, that's the history bit finished with for now.

For those who follow the news, there has been a lot of coverage about the rising numbers in child poverty. Here is the full article from Sky News:

https://news.sky.com/story/uk-at-turning-point-in-fight-against-poverty-11156063

What is the point of this discussion? Well I want to use my blog, which is my platform to express opinions and in this case, my disgust and outrage that in 21st century Britain, families can't afford to feed themselves and food banks are on the rise!  Campbell Robb, who is chief executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, points the blame at political choices and raising inflation which is hitting those at the bottom. I wholeheartedly agree with him. Yes, it is important for younger people to buy their own homes (recent budget), but at what cost? Less money for these families? My bugbear is the government's obsession with building more homes when there are many homes lying empty around the country! And Brexit! (no, no I am not talking about that).
I was speaking with a friend the other day who told me that although both she and her husband are working they live on the bread line. I think this is referred to as the 'working poor?' When I shop at Tesco, my heart sinks when I see the food bank volunteers approach me with a list of items. Let me get this straight, I always, always buy an item (or two) to put to donate. But I don't remember seeing food banks two or three years ago. I am sure they must have been there, but not as regularly as they are now.
I fear for the future. For families and others for whom the situation is only going to get worse. Although I have plenty more to say, I will finish with Campbell Robb's words echoing in my ears:

' "This is a very real warning sign that our hard-fought progress is in peril." '
(Quote Campbell Robb, Sky).

More on Poverty: if you are interested in finding out more, check out this social mobility report from Sky which highlights the best and worst places to grow up.

https://news.sky.com/story/social-mobility-in-uk-a-postcode-lottery-report-finds-11147331