A stringent 900-calorie liquid diet recommended by the NHS may help people reverse their type 2 diabetes. Although this diet can be challenging, requiring participants to eliminate all solid foods for several months and then gradually reintroduce smoothies, soups, and meal replacement snacks, it has shown promising results.
According to a year-long study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal, around one-third of the hundreds of participants who completed the program achieved significant outcomes, losing nearly 16 kg (2.5 stone) and attaining diabetes remission.
This program, funded entirely by the NHS, is distinct from the Wegovy weight loss injection offered by some specialist weight management clinics in England. Diabetes UK emphasizes the importance of personalized care, suggesting that individuals should work with healthcare professionals to determine whether medication, dietary changes, or bariatric surgery is the best course of action.
Participants in the shake and soup diet program receive comprehensive support from their general practitioners, along with personalized online and in-person nutrition and exercise coaching. Experts acknowledge the program’s potential to transform lives but stress that participant dedication is crucial for success.
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to severe health issues, including nerve and vision damage. “Obesity is a major health threat in the UK and will be a significant and costly challenge for health systems globally,” stated Dr. Clare Hambling, national clinical director for diabetes and obesity at the NHS. “The successful results of our approach demonstrate that obesity may be efficiently addressed.”
To be eligible for the program, participants must meet the following criteria:
– Be between 18 and 65 years old
– Have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the past six years
– Have a BMI over 27 kg/m² (for white ethnic groups) or over 25 kg/m² (for black, Asian, and other ethnic groups)
The very low-calorie diet should only be followed if recommended by a doctor.
Marie Laing, a participant from Frome, Somerset, shared her success story with BBC News, revealing she lost more than three stone on the NHS’s soup and shake diet.
“The GP suggested this after my previous attempts were unsuccessful, and I’m really grateful,” she said to BBC Radio Somerset. “This approach for remission involves a change in lifestyle as well as nutrition. It’s about knowing how to exercise, understanding how food impacts you, and learning about your body.”
Another participant, Juliet, wrote, “I didn’t feel hungry during the whole diet replacement phase, which surprised me. I was pleased with the items, and I particularly liked the shepherd’s pie and red Thai soup.”
Dr. Nerys Astbury, an associate professor of food and obesity at the University of Oxford, commented, “We don’t know how long remission will last or how it might affect future diabetes risk, but we do know that weight loss has significant health benefits, especially for people with type 2 diabetes.”
Source : BBC
