Tauki Kai involves education and practical advice delivered in digestible chunks, with peer support from the group. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
- People with type 2 diabetes losing weight, lowering their blood sugar, reducing medication and reversing the disease
- Low-carb diet "life-changing", says participant
- Tauki Kai's group approach the key, say clinicians
People with type 2 diabetes have been able to reduce their medication - and even reversed the disease completely in some cases - through an innovative "group" approach led by an iwi health provider in Tairāwhiti.
Turanga Health reports there are now long waiting lists for the programme, Tauki Kai.
Anthea Lincoln only found out she had type 2 diabetes by chance: when a mobile clinic turned up the school where she works and she was offered a blood test.
The doctor called her back a few days later with the results from her HbA1C, which measures the amount of glucose in the blood - a red flag for diabetes.
The health range is under 40 mmol/mol.
"I was full blown diabetic. Fifty and above is diabetic and I was 85. So I was really in the depths of it there."
The diabetes nurse at Ngāti Porou Hauora recommended a new programme, which was about to start.
"I've got to say I was pretty sceptical," Lincoln said, laughing, "But it was brilliant for me, life-changing."
Gisborne woman Anthea Lincoln is now diabetes-free. Photo: Supplied
Tauki Kai involves education and practical advice delivered in digestible chunks, with peer support from the group.
"As I told my doctor, I don't eat a lot of sugar, so how could I have diabetes? My epiphany was learning about carbs."
Lincoln was shocked to learn her body was busily converting all those carbohydrates from bread and potatoes into glucose.
After three months, her blood sugar had dropped within the normal range and she was able to reduce her diabetes medication.
The next test, three months later, showed she no longer had diabetes.
"My Hba1c had normalised to 27, well within normal levels, and I was medication free, as well as 30kg lighter."
Continuous glucose monitors give real-time feedback
The programme was originally developed for Ngati Porou Hauora by SurfAid International founder Dr Dave Jenkins, who specialises in wellness and reversing chronic diseases
After the initial trial last year, the programme was adopted by another iwi provider, Turanga Health.
Coordinator Hadyn Pomana said each participant wears a continuous glucose monitor for two weeks, which gives real-time feedback on their blood sugar levels.
A tiny needle into their blood stream connects to a computer chip, which sends a message via bluetooth to their mobile phones.
"When they eat a certain food like something high in carbohydrates or sugars, their blood sugar spikes and they get sent a message to say that it's spiking and they can see they've gone into an unhealthy range from consuming that food."
The six people who completed that programme in the tiny settlement of Waikohu had a combined weight loss of over 70 kilograms, everyone lowered their blood sugar and one has reversed their diabetes completely.
Peer support critical
Pomana, a clinical psychologist, said the most important change for people was in their mental attitude, driven by people helping and inspiring each other.
"They're thinking 'I'm going to get off this medication that I thought I was going to be on for life, I can actually become non diabetic, I'm reversing it, I'm lowering my HbA1C'.
"It's purposeful stuff.When you talk about extending your life, what's more important than that?"
Word about the programme has spread and the current intake has 16 participants from Waikohu and a growing waiting list for the next one.
Turanga Health GP Patrick McHugh said he often gave the same "spiel" about stress management and lifestyle changes to patients - but as soon as they left his office, there was no support to put it into practice.
Tauki Kai's team approach, common in Te Ao Māori, made it an effective intervention, he said.
"That group-based activity will help drag people along, some may be early responders who will help motivate others who are not so enthusiastic.
"And if someone falls out of the waka, the others can encourage them back in again."
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