IT’S VITAL TO TAKE THESE PRECAUTIONS

IF YOU are on medication, talk to your GP. This is particularly important because he or she should be involved in monitoring and tapering off your medicines. It’s also essential that you discuss the diet with your doctor if any of the following apply:

YOU are on insulin or any diabetic medication other than metformin. You may need a suitable reduction in dosage to avoid too fast a drop in blood sugar.

YOU are on blood pressure tablets — you may have to reduce the dosage or come off them. The same applies to glucose-lowering drugs, ones that begin with the letter G, like glibenclamide and gliclazide, which may have to be stopped because they can push your blood glucose abnormally low.

YOU have moderate or severe retinopathy. You should have extra screenings within six months of reducing diabetes. YOU are pregnant or breastfeeding. YOU have a psychiatric or eating disorder. YOU are taking warfarin. YOU have epilepsy. YOU have a significant medical condition. YOU are unwell or have a fever. DON’T follow the diet if you are under 18, your BMI is below 21, or you are recovering from surgery or are generally frail.

You should also confirm with your doctor that you really are a type 2 diabetic. There are other, rarer forms that will not respond in the same way to weight loss.

If you are in any doubt, the following is a link to a website where you can find useful ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/reversal.htm information: