By Colin Kenny, GP, Dromore
In this study, 30 volunteers with type 2 diabetes embarked on a diet of 600–700 calories a day (three diet shakes per day and 240 g of non-starchy vegetables) for 8 weeks. The group included a number of people with a relatively long duration of diabetes (ranging up to 23 years). Following the very-low-calorie diet (VLCD), participants gradually returned to a normal diet. Measurements were collected at the resumption of the normal diet and after a 6-month structured, individualised weight-maintenance programme.
Twelve of the 30 participants achieved a fasting plasma glucose <7 mmol/L after returning to a normal diet (the definition of a remission response to the VLCD), and 13 of the 30 met this target after 6 months. Responders were found to have a shorter duration of diabetes and a higher initial fasting plasma insulin level. Overall, the programme achieved continuing remission of diabetes for at least 6 months in the 40% who responded to the VLCD, providing further evidence that type 2 diabetes is potentially reversible. A larger trial involving 280 participants is already underway.
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