An 800-calorie diet ‘can reverse diabetes’

AN 800 CALORIE diet can reverse Type 2 diabetes in half of cases, a major study has found.

Around 300 people in Scotland and Tyneside took part in the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial, funded by Diabetes UK.

Half received standard care from their GP, while the other half received a structured weight management programme. Findings from the first year showed that around 46 per cent of those who took part in the diet programme were in remission after 12 months.

The vast majority of diabetes cases are Type 2, which is strongly linked to lifestyle – poor diet, excess weight and inactivity – as well as genetics.

Participant Isobel Murray, 65, from North Ayrshire, lost more than 48lb (22kg) and no longer needs diabetes medication.

She said: “I was on various medications which were constantly increasing and I was becoming more and more ill every day. When the doctors told me that my pancreas was working again, it felt fantastic, absolutely amazing. I get all my diabetes checks done, but I don’t feel like a diabetic.”

The trial found that around 86 per cent of those who lost 33lb (15kg) or more went into remission, compared with four per cent of the control group. The findings, which will be published in The Lancet, also stated that 57 per cent who lost 22lb-33lb (10kg-15kg) and 34 per cent of those who lost 11lb-22lb (5kg-10kg) also went into remission.

Remission was defined as having blood glucose levels of less than 6.5 per cent, with at least two months without any Type 2 diabetes medications. Prof Roy Taylor, the lead researcher from Newcastle University, described the results as “very exciting” and said they could “revolutionise the way Type 2 diabetes is treated”.