In 1957, at 6 years of age, Ron Raab was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Now, 44 years later, while many others who were diagnosed at a similar time are combating severe complications, or worse, Raab continues to live a healthy, active life, relatively free of Diabetes related complications. He now devotes much of his time to improving the situation of those with Diabetes in less developed countries, through Insulin for Life Inc (IFL).

Ron Raab

Raab, with his background in economics, established IFL to collect and deliver donated insulin and other supplies to those in need. According to Raab, more than $US3.2 million worth of supplies have been delivered to those with Diabetes in developing countries since 1986.

Ron attributes his good health to three main beliefs. Firstly, that it's up to you to take control. Secondly, to ensuring that you're well enough informed to be able to experiment to find your best treatment formula. Thirdly, dedication to the routine of remaining well. An example of this approach is Raab's dietary management. In 1998, after a visit to a Diabetes centre in New York, Ron modified his eating habits to a low GI and low carbohydrate (from approximately 200 grams daily to 30grams) approach, coupled with lower insulin dose. Since then, he has seen remarkable changes such as a drop in insulin requirements to 19 units per day. Also, he has lost 10 kilograms, his HbA1c dropped to 5.9% and his retinopathy has stabilised. In addition, he claims less variability in daily BG levels, less severe hypoglycaemia, reduced hunger, increased motivation, and an improved quality of life.

Ron believes that this approach is effective because lowering the amount of carbohydrate ingested lowers the variations in blood glucose levels and also the amount of insulin required and better control results from more predictable blood sugar levels. Ron learnt about this approach when he visited Dr Bernstein's clinic in New York: www.diabetes-normalsugars.com.

Opinion on this relatively new approach is divided. Another of the International Diabetes Federation vice presidents, Professor Don Chisholm, of Sydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research, and Professor Paul Zimmit, of Melbourne's International Diabetes Institute, would not recommend it for the average person with Diabetes. They claim that such a diet would usually be relatively high in fat, which may increase cardiovascular risk. However, Associate Professor Paul Moffitt of the University of Newcastle, believes that providing it is not too high in fat, and relatively palatable, a low carbohydrate diet is a good treatment approach for those with Diabetes.

While there are still many questions unanswered in the high carb vs low carb debate, Ron Raab is living proof of the success of taking control of your Diabetes, whatever approach you choose, and is using his successes, through his work with Insulin for Life, to assist those with Diabetes in less fortunate countries.