Blinded by sugar – the growing diabetes problem right in front of our eyes

Australian of the Year, Dr James Muecke AM, is urging the community to start taking their sugar intake seriously.

Western Sydney Diabetes is inviting the community to hear from Dr Muecke, an ophthalmologist and founder of Sight For All, about the impact sugar is having on our health in his confronting presentation, Blinded By Sugar. The doctor will also be taking questions from online viewers after the event which is on tomorrow – Tuesday.

Dr Muecke is concerned about the increasing level of diabetic retinopathy he is treating in his practice and has dedicated his year in office to raising awareness of the role our poor diet has on our health.

In the 25-minute online presentation, he discusses why type 2 diabetes is a growing worldwide epidemic and explores a number of strategies to curb the toxic impact of sugar on our health and on our world.

“People don’t often realise sugar can potentially harm them or their families, and so it’s essential to raise awareness of how our modern diet plays a critical role in this,” Dr Muecke said.

Dr James Muecke

“People are also not aware of the role of refined carbohydrates, simply sugar in disguise, or the huge amount of sugar often added to ultra-processed foods. It’s important for people to understand what they’re putting in their mouths may be making them sicker and fatter.”

Blinded By Sugar features the story of one of Dr Muecke’s patients, Neil Hansell, who woke one morning blind in both eyes due to neglect of his diabetes.

To help deliver his message, Dr Muecke came up with the ‘Five A’s of Sugar Toxicity’ concept: addiction, alleviation, accessibility, addition and advertising, each of which he targets in his talk.

“There’s an overwhelming flood of sugar in our lives which is toxic and destroying our bodies,” he said.

“It’s critical information that people need to urgently know.”

Western Sydney Diabetes is a collaborative initiative led by Western Sydney Local Health District and Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WentWest) to address the Western Sydney diabetes hotspot.

Western Sydney Diabetes prevention manager, Janine Dawson, said the messages were important to the community and said as many people as possible should hear the talk.

“It also gives everyone a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to pose their questions to the Australian of the Year,’ Ms Dawson said.

Details: 6.30pm, Tuesday, December 8, 2020, followed by an interactive Q&A session.

Free registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZjaIGhFJTcOP1ySipGVshQ

You will then receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Pic of sugar – Suzy Hazelwood