Just six months ago Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams was diagnosed with type two diabetes. Since then he's transformed his life - mainly through diet - in an effort to cure himself of the chronic disease. Health Reporter Erin Billups has more on his battle against diabetes.
Through his own research and consultations with doctors, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams changed his lifestyle within a month of learning he had type two diabetes.
Evidence of the change is everywhere in his office. There's not a morsel of processed food in sight. Tables are now food prep stations - he cooks on a windowsill.
"Eighty percent of the food I eat I cook myself. I eat no oil at all. I eat no meat at all," Adams says.
He's now vegan and exercising more.
He answers calls on a stationary bike and checks email on a makeshift standing desk, while using a Stairmaster.
"We can no longer exist separately, where, I'm gonna do my job but I don't have time to take care of my health. No, we'll make time," Adams says.
He's lost 30 pounds and he no longer needs medication.
Yet, reversing his diabetes was not an option initially presented to him by doctors.
"My recovery is an indictment on our healthcare system. The sole goal should have been, Eric we're going to get that reversed. Not Eric we're going to give you the prescription that you need that you can take the rest of your life," Adams says.
Adams admits he has resources at his disposal that many do not but he says there are things that can be done.
An estimated $175 billion is spent annually in the U.S. on healthcare for diabetics. Some of that, he says, should go toward helping diabetics to change their behavior.
"Why are we doing what we're doing? Why am I drinking that Coca-Cola when I know it's killing me?" Adams says.
Adams is now declaring war against diabetes, through programs to improve the health of his community and through his mother - his next project.
"I want people to see her with her cane. Her southern lifestyle of enjoying her fried chicken and cooking her pies and cakes. I want them to see how even she can transform her life," Adams says.