Around 250,000 people in Aotearoa have diabetes mellitus, with Māori and Pacific populations being twice as likely to have it than other New Zealanders. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic low-grade inflammation and other elements of aging appear earlier or are overrepresented. Most patients develop complications such as declining kidney function, cognitive deficits, and an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, despite drug treatments. Evidence for plant-based medicines helping to prevent and treat diabetes and its many complications, is increasingly compelling. Phil will summarise this evidence, and discuss some ways to improve access to some cost-effective medicines.
Type 2 Diabetes and its complications, are a huge burden on patients and the health system, which worsens with aging. Its much higher rates among Māori and Pacific people, also needs serious attention
Learning Outcomes:
* By summarising relevant research on plant medicines that can be clinically useful in the management of diabetes.
* By helping to increase our understanding of diabetes complications, their pathophysiology, clinical presentation and impact on patients.
* By discussing and introducing ways to ‘bridge the gap’ between the inequities that exist within different cultural groups affected by diabetes in Aotearoa NZ
* By providing knowledge and hopefully some tools to enable practitioners to support diabetic patients and their whanau, with effective and empowering, self-help and self-care measures