A new education programme could help people with type 1 diabetes have more dietary freedom and bette...
A new education programme could help people with type 1 diabetes have more dietary freedom and better control over their condition.
The Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE) programme ' which is funded by charity Diabetes UK ' teaches people with diabetes how to adjust their insulin, so they are no longer restricted by a strict diet and injection regime.
A report on the programme, published in the British Medical Journal, concluded: 'Skills training promoting dietary freedom improved quality of life and glycaemic control in people with type 1 diabetes without worsening severe hypoglycaemia or cardiovascular risk. This approach has the potential to enable more people to adopt intensive insulin treatment and is worthy of further investigation.'
Suzanne Lucas, director of care at Diabetes UK, said 'DAFNE has been a liberating experience for people on the trial. Many people found their whole lifestyle and outlook on life has improved following the course and with better diabetes control their worries about complications have reduced.
'Participants also found they were able to travel abroad without worrying about missing a meal or eating on time. This is a fantastic breakthrough and offers people with diabetes the chance of a more spontaneous, normal life.'
Earlier this year, Health Minister Jacqui Smith announced £500,000 funding for expansion of the DAFNE programme.
According to Diabetes UK, it will now be rolled out to a further eight diabetes centres around the UK.
