Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting millions of people worldwide. It is a progressive condition that can lead to serious health complications such as heart disease and stroke. For a long time, managing type 2 diabetes meant a lifetime of medication and lifestyle changes. However, recent studies have shown that weight loss can put type 2 diabetes in remission for at least five years. This is a significant breakthrough in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and it offers hope to millions of people living with the condition. In this article, we’ll explore the link between weight loss and type 2 diabetes remission and what this means for those living with diabetes.
New data from the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (Direct) suggests that losing weight can put type 2 diabetes in remission for at least five years. The figures show that about 25% of people in remission from diabetes two years after starting a low-calorie diet were still in remission three years later. These individuals no longer needed to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels and had an average weight loss of around 9kg at the five-year point. The data suggests that losing weight and keeping it off can help to reverse diabetes, a serious condition that increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, narrowing of blood vessels and nerve damage.
Obesity is a major contributing factor in the development of type 2 diabetes, with research suggesting that obese individuals are up to 80 times more likely to develop the condition than those with a healthy body mass index (BMI) of less than 22. Of the 298 individuals who participated in the original Direct study, half received standard diabetes care from their GP and half were put on a diet with support from health professionals. This included a low-calorie, nutrient-complete soup and shake diet (about 800 calories a day) for between 12 and 20 weeks, together with support from a nurse or dietician to reintroduce healthy foods and maintain weight loss.
At the end of the original two-year study, 95 of the 149 people on the weight-loss programme agreed to take part in an extension study lasting three years. This new data shows that of this group of 95 individuals, 48 were in remission at the start of the extension study, and 23% of these were still in remission three years later. The proportion of people in remission five years after the original study started was more than three times that of the Direct control group, who just received usual GP care. Remission was closely linked to weight loss and keeping the pounds off. Researchers said those people who came out of remission had regained the weight they had lost.
Anyone who regained more than just over 2kg during years three to five of the study were offered an additional package of support, available once a year, consisting of the low-calorie soups and shake diet for four weeks, followed by help while reintroducing normal meals. Compared to the control group, those put on a diet and offered support had bigger improvements in blood pressure and blood sugar levels and fewer people needed medication. The number of serious health issues resulting in hospital admission in the dieting group was also less than half that in the control group.
Diabetes UK, which funded the study, said the findings support growing evidence that weight loss and remission from type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay the complications of diabetes. Professor Mike Lean of the University of Glasgow, who co-led the study, said “Type 2 diabetes causes a range of progressive and life-shortening complications, notably blindness, infections, amputations, kidney failure and heart failure. It affects over four million people in UK and accounts for about 10 per cent of NHS funding. The Direct extension [study] has shown us that a substantial proportion of people, managed in primary care, can maintain sufficient weight loss to be free from the condition for up to five years.”
In conclusion, the findings of this study provide hope for those struggling with type 2 diabetes. It is clear that weight loss can have a substantial impact on the condition, potentially putting it into remission for at least five years. This highlights the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, engaging in regular exercise, and managing one’s weight. While the results may vary depending on individual circumstances, the benefits of weight loss go beyond diabetes remission and can have a positive impact on overall health and well-being. It is never too late to make positive changes that can improve your life, and this study serves as a reminder that weight loss can have a meaningful and lasting impact on your health.
