Type 2 diabetes is most often looked upon as a chronic progressive disease which can only be managed by medications. But a new randomised-controlled trial published in The Lancet defies this belief, showing that it is reversible.
Our findings show that, at 12 months, almost half of participants achieved remission to a non-diabetic state and off antidiabetic drugs. Remission of type 2 diabetes is a practical target for primary care.
These results were achieved with a very-low-calorie formula diet, including fewer carbohydrates than before. This is not likely a method that is sustainable for life - not many people want to live on a formula diet for life. But the results clearly demonstrate that a diet change can reverse type 2 diabetes.
Fortunately, science and experience suggests that many people can achieve similar type 2 diabetes reversal using a low-carb (ideally keto) diet and intermittent fasting.
The Lancet: Primary care-led weight management for remission of type 2 diabetes (DiRECT): an open-label, cluster-randomised trial