Could a Very Low Calorie Diet Reverse Type 2 Diabetes?

The latest data from Diabetes UK shows that 415 million people worldwide are living with diabetes and that 90% of those people have type 2 diabetes. However, a recent trial presented by Doctors from Newcastle and Glasgow at the International Diabetes Federation, demonstrated that they have discovered a way to reverse type 2 diabetes through the use of a very low-calorie diet.

The study: Can you reverse Type 2 Diabetes with a 600 calorie diet?

The study saw a group of people on a very low-calorie diet for up to 5 months. The diet consisted of consuming just shakes and soups, all around 200 calories each, to promote dramatic weight loss.

All products that were trialled were meal replacement products, so contained the correct balance of nutrients, despite only having 200 calories, much like Exante’s meal replacement range.

The Results

46% of people who started the low-calorie diet were in remission a year later.

The study showed incredible results for people living with type 2 diabetes.

46% of people who started the low-calorie diet were in remission a year later
86% who lost 2st 5lb or more put their type 2 diabetes into remission
Only 4% went into remission with the current treatments being used to help reverse diabetes

Detailed results can be read here.

The science behind reversing Type 2 Diabetes with a very low-calorie diet

Exante can 200 calorie diets reverse type 2 diabetes

It was apparent that the dramatic weight loss was the reason behind the reversal of type 2 diabetes. In addition, it was ‘extreme’ weight loss that saw people drop the weight and in turn, go into remission.

So why does weight loss work?

When fat builds up around the pancreas, the cells in the organ that regulate blood sugar levels are put under stress. This causes them to stop producing insulin and thus, causing blood sugar levels to rise to dangerous levels.

Put simply, the dramatic weight loss causes this fat to disappear around the pancreas and reverse this effect.

A professor at Glasgow University was interviewed by the BBC and told him “It’s hugely exciting, we now have clear evidence that weight loss of 10-15kg is enough to turn this disease around.” Read more on this interview here.

Can Exante help reverse Type 2 Diabetes?

Based on the recent study, our Total Solution plan, containing 3 x 200 calorie products may be able to assist in reversing type 2 diabetes. Without running a trial ourselves, we cannot guarantee results, however, the recent evidence is strong enough to suggest it might assist in reversing the disease.

All of our meal replacement products are calorie-controlled and contain the correct amount of nutrients that your body needs.

Things to note

It is important to understand that this study only looked at people who were diagnosed in last 6 years: there was no evidence suggesting that long-term problems could be reversed, equally, there was nothing to suggest they couldn’t either. However, it is always possible that long-term effects could be more severe and harder to reverse.

Additionally, the reversal of the disease was subsequent to the weight loss, such that if people were to gain the weight back, the diabetes would likely return.

If you suffer from type 2 diabetes and are overweight, Exante VLCD products could help in a number of ways. Steve and Jeana are two diabetics that achieved incredible results with Exante.

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Sophie Seddon

Writer and expert