Diabetic expert and leader of a new Type 2 Diabetes study which has proven to reverse Diabetic symptoms says that the ‘radical calorie restrictive diet’ is the future of Type Two Diabetes care in the UK.
Mike Lean, one of the leaders of a new study which has proven to reverse Type 2 Diabetes with a radical calorie restrictive diet, believes that his new study is the future of Diabetic care in the UK.
The new study was funded by Diabetes UK and was conducted by Glasgow and Newcastle universities. The results showed that the disease can be reversed and completely eradicated by losing weight, this means sufferers no longer need to take medication.
About the study he said: “What the study has done is challenge the original outlook of Type 2 Diabetes, people have been lulled into the disbelief that Diabetes is a mild disease that it doesn’t have many symptoms, in fact it’s a pretty destructive, it damages every single organ.
“We know that patients with Diabetes are taking their pills but still dying younger. In this study we were trying to tackle the underlying disease process which is weight gain, people are becoming overweight and they develop diabetes through their weight and then they develop all the complications later.”
The trial had 306 participants who were diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes within the last 6 years and were aged between 25 – 65 years. The participants were split into two groups. One group followed the current best practice treatment from the NHS which follows GP’s lifestyle advice and drugs to reduce blood sugar levels.
The other group followed a calorie restricted diet where they consumed 825- 853 calories per day for eight to twenty weeks and then followed by a reintroduction of food for two to eight weeks. They also included cognitive behaviour therapy and had encouragement to exercise.
Almost half (45%) of those in this group lost an average of 10 – 15Kg and found their Diabetes had gone into remission while only 4% the group following the recommended NHS route saw an improvement in their condition. Remission is where the blood glucose levels (blood sugar levels) return to a normal rate.
Agnes Cilla, 49, a Manchester resident who took part in the Diabetic trials, has suffered from Type 2 Diabetes for 6 years and says this trial has transformed her life. She said: “I noticed my symptoms about 6 years ago however just put it all down to the usual life stress, I eventually went to the GP as I feared the absolute worse, I thought it was cancer. [pullquote]”I felt so much better, my mood and my health is the best it has ever been. The support was incredible, and it has really changed my life.”[/pullquote]
“When I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and I was shocked, my father had type 2 diabetes and I knew about the complications that can come with it. It scared me.”
Agnes joined the trial in 2014 and within a year she had completely reversed her Diabetes: “I am a completely healthy person now, I exercised, ate healthily and I lost the weight. I felt so much better, my mood and my health is the best it has ever been. The support was incredible, and it has really changed my life.
Mike Lean believes that this style of Diabetic care is the future for treating the condition, he said: “It’s a signal that medical practice needs to move in this direction and this is better than any other treatment out there right now, there will be concerns and questions on resources and how we make this available to as many people as possible, but this could be the way we illuminate it, It is the future for Diabetes care.
[pullquote]”This could be the way we illuminate it, It is the future for Diabetes care.”[/pullquote]
Agnes agreed and said: “There needs to be education across the UK and nationwide GP support to tackle Diabetes, this should be the way that Diabetes care goes.”
The number of those diagnosed with Type two diabetes is dramatically rising across of Britain due to the obesity epidemic. The fat that accumulates around the abdomen prevents the proper function of the pancreas, this can lead to life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, amputations, and blindness.
Diabetes care takes up 10% of the entire NHS budget and the total cost of care, both direct and indirect currently in the UK stands at £23.7 billion and is predicted to rise to £39.8 Billion by 2035. The current level of care is not sustainable and is continuing to strain the NHS, this trial is carving a new pathway in treating type two diabetes.
If you are considering a calorie restrictive diet to combat Type 2 Diabetes, please contact your GP for advice and support.
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