A rigorous 900-calorie-a-day liquid diet program offered by the NHS has demonstrated potential in reversing type 2 diabetes, according to recent findings published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal.
The program requires participants to exclusively consume shakes, soups, and meal-replacement bars for several months, after which they gradually reintroduce healthy solid foods. Out of the thousands invited, hundreds successfully completed the year-long regimen, achieving significant outcomes such as nearly two-and-a-half stone (16kg) weight loss and remission of their diabetes.
The NHS-funded initiative, available across England, aims to address obesity-related health challenges. Dr. Clare Hambling, NHS national clinical director for diabetes and obesity, emphasized the program’s positive impact, stating, “Seeing such encouraging outcomes from our program shows that obesity can be tackled head-on.”
Participants receive personalized diet and exercise advice sessions, either in person or online, along with support from their GP at no cost. Eligibility criteria include being aged 18-65, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the last six years, and having a body mass index (BMI) over 27 kg/m2 for white ethnic groups or over 25 kg/m2 for black, Asian, and other ethnic groups.
Marie Laing from Frome, Somerset, shared her positive experience, having lost more than three stone during the 12-month program. She described the program as a lifestyle change rather than just a diet, highlighting its holistic approach to understanding food impacts, cravings, and exercise benefits.
Juliet, another participant, expressed satisfaction with the program’s products, noting they helped manage hunger during the total diet replacement phase. Dr. Nerys Astbury, associate professor of diet & obesity at the University of Oxford, underscored the health benefits of weight loss, particularly for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
While the long-term effects of achieving diabetes remission remain to be fully understood, experts agree that weight loss can significantly improve health outcomes for affected individuals. Type 2 diabetes, characterized by high blood sugar levels due to insulin inefficiency, is often linked to overweight conditions, where fat accumulation around the pancreas disrupts insulin production and usage.
In contrast to type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune condition unrelated to weight, type 2 diabetes can potentially be reversed through weight loss, underscoring the importance of initiatives like the NHS soup and shake diet in managing chronic conditions.
The program’s success stories like Marie’s and Juliet’s highlight its transformative potential, offering hope to those looking to regain control over their health through effective weight management strategies.
This NHS-backed approach not only addresses immediate health concerns but also aims to mitigate the long-term risks associated with unmanaged type 2 diabetes, emphasizing the critical role of lifestyle interventions in promoting overall well-being.