1 week Ago By Damon Cronshaw
Many people with diabetes struggle with mental health and don't get the help they need, Newcastle dietitian Prudence Morrissey says. Login or signup to continue reading Ms Morrissey, who lives with type one diabetes , believes the issue needs more attention. "A lot of people are falling through the cracks and trying to battle it by themselves," she said.
She is researching links between diet, health and wellbeing in a major University of Newcastle study . "I believe diet has a substantial impact on our mental health," she said. The study aims to better understand how diet affects health, especially for conditions like type two diabetes and high blood pressure.
Ms Morrissey has been through "the ups and downs of diabetes". Mental-health disorders, particularly depression and anxiety, were "more prevalent in diabetes populations". "It's almost double the amount in the general population," she said.
Ms Morrissey said people with diabetes can "struggle to do daily tasks because their brain won't stop thinking". Having ordinary meals can add to the stresses of daily life. "They have to think about their blood sugar and how much insulin they'll need," she said.
"Living with diabetes is 24/7. There's no off-switch." She said this was draining and could lead to "diabetes burnout".
High or low blood sugar "can come and go and you don't know when it will hit". "Suddenly your blood sugars are going haywire for absolutely no reason," she said. Ms Morrissey was diagnosed with diabetes during her HSC.
"I'd just done my trials. I started getting very unwell, having all the textbook symptoms," she said. "It's been a fun crazy ride for 12 years.
That's why my passion is more mental-health focused." Dr Jordan Stanford, of University of Newcastle, said food plays a key role in managing the health of "people with conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure". Dr Stanford said the study sought to understand "factors that explain why people react differently to foods".
This can help dietitians to "provide more personalised treatments, like tailored food lists and meal plans". "That's why this research is so important." The study , which has two phases, aims to enlist about 2000 people across Australia.
The first phase is an online survey, which takes up to an hour to complete on three occasions over 12 months. Most people 18 and over are eligible for the study, including those with diabetes or heart disease. Hunter residents are key to the second phase, which will involve about 300 people doing a range of free health tests.
This will include blood pressure checks, body composition and collection of biospecimens. Those who take part will get "personalised insights into their health". The researchers will explore gut health, chewing patterns and the body's blood sugar responses.
"Studies show factors like gut bacteria, genetics and even chewing habits can influence how our bodies digest food and absorb nutrients," Dr Stanford said. Ms Morrissey said she was "trying to investigate what's going on in the gut microbiome". "Are there certain foods or gut bacteria we can pinpoint to help people with diabetes?" To take part in the study, email PrecisionNutrition@newcastle.
edu.au Health and medicine, science, research, nutrition. Email: dcronshaw@newcastleherald.
com.au Health and medicine, science, research, nutrition. Email: dcronshaw@newcastleherald.
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