12/02/2026
Dr Glen's letter to NZ Doctor Magazine has been published
As Specialist General Practitioners with a deep and ongoing interest in the management of Type 2 Diabetes, we wish to congratulate Nataly Martini on her recent article “Type 2 Diabetes” in the October issue of NZ Doctor. Her insightful exploration of diabetes reversal and the crucial role of lifestyle interventions is an important and timely contribution to the discussion around diabetes care in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is heartening to see growing awareness of approaches that go beyond medication, highlighting the power of nutrition and lifestyle change in achieving meaningful health outcomes for people living with T2 Diabetes.
From our collective clinical experience, we have observed that prioritising lifestyle change—specifically reducing sugar, ultra-processed carbohydrates, and the overall overconsumption of carbohydrates—has enabled hundreds of our patients with diabetes and prediabetes to dramatically improve their metabolic health. Many have achieved normalisation of their HbA1c and reversal of insulin resistance, often reducing or even discontinuing medication as their health improves. These outcomes are possible with sustained support and a focus on dietary interventions such as low carbohydrate eating patterns, which empower patients to address the root causes of their metabolic dysfunction.
However, we feel there is still a significant gap between this evidence-based approach and current standard practice, which too often defaults to long-term pharmacotherapy. While medications have a role, we believe their use should be more judicious—primarily reserved for situations where patients are not ready or able to make the necessary lifestyle changes, or as a temporary measure until lifestyle interventions can take effect. The current paradigm, which frequently places medication at the centre of diabetes management, risks missing the opportunity for true reversal and long-term well-being.
We strongly advocate for a shift in the emphasis of T2 Diabetes management in New Zealand, placing lifestyle change at its core. We encourage our colleagues to support patients in making sustainable dietary and behavioural changes, and call for greater education, resources, and structural support to facilitate this transition. We are confident that, as more clinicians witness the transformative potential of lifestyle interventions, the future of T2 Diabetes management will increasingly focus on empowering patients to reverse their condition and reclaim their health.
Dr Glen Davies FRNZCGP
NZ GP of the Year.
General Practitioner, Reversal NZ
Fellow and Board Member, Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine.
Dr Marcus Hawkins BM BS FRNZCGP
General Practitioner, Highbrook Medical Centre, Auckland
Fellow, Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine.
