Sir Richard Branson should be complimented for investing his money in a cause that would redound to the benefit of thousands of Barbadians.
We speak of the Barbados Diabetes Reversal Study (BDRS) that is being funded by Virgin Unite, the non-profit arm of the Virgin Group headed by Sir Richard.
The BDRS is seeking to determine the acceptability and effectiveness of an eight-week very low-calorie diet to reverse Type 2 diabetes here.
The study will target 25 people, between the ages of 20 and 70, who were diagnosed within the last six years. It is scheduled to start late next month.
Those who volunteer for the study will be given a liquid diet for the period, along with non-starchy vegetables accompanied by medical support. Vitamins and minerals will be included in the diet, which will be provided free of cost to the participants.
This will be followed by a six-month period, during which a normal healthy diet will resume along with regular exercise.
If the study proves successful, it would point to an effective way to combat the diabetes epidemic here and in the region by identifying a range of simple options for people to change their diets and stay healthy.
The BDRS hopes to build on the research of British professor, Roy Taylor, who found that Type 2 diabetes can be reversed by adopting a short, very low-calorie diet, followed by weight maintenance.
Participants in his study at Newcastle University in England four years ago, were able to get rid of excess fat in the liver and pancreas and restore their blood sugar to normal levels.
The significant difference between Taylor’s study and the BDRS is that the latter will be specific to the region, to show what works best here.
While we are heartened that Sir Richard chose Barbados for this novel study and hope it achieves its objectives, we can’t help but wonder if Barbadians will act on its findings.
We question this because for decades, Barbadians have been repeatedly told they are eating too much of the wrong foods and not exercising enough. And, this is what has led to thousands of us becoming afflicted with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and related conditions.
Despite these messages, increasing numbers continue to be diagnosed with these debilitating chronic non-communicable diseases annually.
It seems no one is listening.
Few appear to recognise the link between eating too much of our favourite foods – which are usually high in salt, sugar and fat – to developing these diseases.
It seems not enough of us are aware of the importance of eating fruit and vegetables.
And it definitely seems that too many of us are not prepared to exercise on a consistent basis to address our growing waistlines and improve our overall health.
There are none so blind as those who refuse to see the evidence of what our bad eating habits are doing to us, our children, family, friends, and medical care costs.
It is about time that we, Barbadians, start thinking more about everything we put into our mouths and stop digging our graves with our teeth.
