Andy Bishop, the Liverpool ambassador for Public Health Collaboration joined volunteers from Care Merseyside to facilitate an 8 week low carb course.
Aimed at those with type 2 diabetes, pre diabetes and conditions including polycystic ovaries, irritable bowel syndrome or looking to lose weight. Over 20 people attended each week to be inspired and educated on the positive effects of a low carb diet. This is not medical advice, it is peer to peer support and a chance to hear how other people have adopted a low carb diet.
Some people came along to support their family members and learn more about how low carb could help their loved ones.
We watched films, ate low carb foods, looked into low carb research and even had a visit from low carb cook and author of the Low Carb Cookbook – Emma Porter.
We are awaiting all the blood results of the last group but had some early successes with a few patients who were due their HbA1c blood tests around the time of the course.
One patient reduced their HbA1c from 91 to 74 in 3 weeks. Another reduced theirs from 81 to 46 in the 8 week period. With the support of their GP, some people reduced their insulin and metformin medication.
Most members lost weight. Some people had really big losses (one lady lost 2.5 stone!) but the average weight loss per participant over the 8 week period was 12lbs.
The video below shows the group in action and outlines Andy’s personal journey with low carb and his diabetes.
We are looking to run the next Low Carb Life group for 12 weeks rather than 8 to make sure we get the HbA1c blood tests in this time frame to measure the outcomes.
The next low carb group will run in June 2019 and cost £3 per session for 12 weeks. Those signing up in advance can benefit from a course discount of £30 for the 12 week period when paid in full (research shows that paying upfront for something also makes you more likely to stay the course!). The cost of the course covers the low carb foods each week, room hire and materials. We are a not for profit organisation so all funds help us run the courses.
We are in the process of confirming a date, times and location for the next group so watch out here on our website and our social media for updates. If you’d like to be put on the waiting list for the next group, contact Shane@Caremerseyside.org.uk
