One diet can reverse diabetes without the need for jabs or pills, according to a recent groundbreaking study. The results of a trial conducted in Scotland and Tyneside have shown that Type 2 diabetes can potentially be reversed for a minimum of two years through a dedicated weight management diet. The outcomes of the UK trial revealed that over one-third of participants who followed a stringent diet supported by the NHS were still in remission after 24 months.
Researchers involved in the study have described these results as revolutionary, stating that they mark the end of Type 2 diabetes being seen as an inevitably progressive disease. They emphasize that significant weight loss plays a crucial role in maintaining the condition’s remission. The trial, funded by Diabetes UK, involved around 300 individuals with Type 2 diabetes who either received standard care from their GP or participated in a weight management programme. Participants in the programme consumed about 800 calories daily for up to five months and received guidance to keep the weight off from a nurse or dietitian.
The initial findings from 2017 showed that 46% of participants had reversed their Type 2 diabetes after the first year. The most recent data from the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT) indicates that nearly two-thirds of participants who shed more than 10kg through the programme were in remission after the second year. Participants who maintained their remission achieved an average weight loss of 15.5kg, while those who did not maintain their remission had an average weight loss of 12kg.
Prof Roy Taylor from Newcastle University commented on the significance of these results, stating that they mark a significant development in understanding Type 2 diabetes as a reversible condition. He emphasized the importance of keeping weight off to prevent the return of diabetes. The study suggests that weight management can lead to improvements in Type 2 diabetes by reducing pancreatic fat and enhancing insulin production.
Diabetes UK’s director of research, Dr Elizabeth Robertson, highlighted that these findings challenge the perception that Type 2 diabetes must be a lifelong condition. She pointed out that remission of Type 2 diabetes can be life-changing and that the study offers a potential solution for those diagnosed with the condition. NHS England has also announced plans to put thousands of patients on a liquid diet of over 800 calories per day for three months to prevent diabetes, following the success of trials.
The results of the trial, conducted by Newcastle University and the University of Glasgow, were presented at a Diabetes UK conference and published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology. The study’s findings have the potential to revolutionise the treatment and management of Type 2 diabetes, offering hope for those living with the condition.
SUMMARY:
A groundbreaking study in Scotland and Tyneside has shown that Type 2 diabetes can potentially be reversed for up to two years through a dedicated weight management diet. Researchers emphasize the importance of significant weight loss in maintaining the condition’s remission. The study, funded by Diabetes UK, involved around 300 participants and has the potential to change the way Type 2 diabetes is treated and managed, offering hope for those living with the condition.