Sir Anthony McCoy is launching a nationwide public petition aimed at tackling the growing threat of type-2 diabetes.
The 20-time Champions Jump jockey, who recently revealed he successfully reversed his risk of developing the condition, hopes to expand the nationwide diabetes screening programme to include the same innovative test which diagnosed his prediabetes.
Sir Anthony McCoy said: “My own experience of prediabetes and having watched the impact type-2 had on my mum has inspired me to launch this campaign.
“Currently around a third of UK adults have prediabetes but just aren’t aware of it.
“I was fortunate enough to be diagnosed before it caused any damage and I feel this test should be made accessible to everyone.”
The test which measures levels of a natural hormone called Adiponectin can identify someone at risk of diabetes earlier than conventional diabetes testing. Low levels of adiponectin indicate high levels of visceral fat.
This ‘deep’ fat wraps around major organs, and sits further underneath the skin than belly fat. A person can therefore appear deceptively healthy because they are slim.
However, by measuring Adiponectin levels, clinicians can identify someone at risk of type 2 diabetes long before they would be identified by tests which measure blood sugar levels.
For the third of UK adults who are prediabetic, this provides a unique opportunity for lifestyle changes in diet and exercise which prevents major organ damage. Diabetes affects our blood vessels and nerves, and therefore can have impact upon any part of our bodies. It is a leading factor in heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney and nerve damage.
Sir Anthony continued: “Diabetes can take ten years off your life expectancy. Fortunately for the majority of type-2 cases it is possible to reverse it, particularly if discovered early enough. That’s why this test is so important. It can detect risk earlier and more efficiently than any current test used in the UK today. I’m hoping people may take a few minutes to sign this petition and help make a really positive difference.”
Sir Anthony McCoy’s petition can be signed online (link below). Once the public have had their chance to add their names, the petition will be presented to NICE to encourage the body to add the Adiponectin test to the current diabetes screening programme.
The petition is hosted on Change.org.