Study type II diabetes can be cured without medication

Can type 2 diabetes be cured?

Researchers have now discovered how type 2 diabetes can be cured. By dramatically losing weight, those affected can actually reverse type 2 diabetes.

Researchers at Newcastle University found in their recent research that weight loss in patients can reverse the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. The physicians published the results of their study in the English-language journal "Cell Metabolism".

When people suffer from type 2 diabetes, it is possible to reverse the disease in those affected by a radical weight loss. (Image: staras / fotolia.com)

Almost half of the sufferers can be cured by dieting

The new groundbreaking study shows that in many cases insulin-producing cells can be restarted if weight loss is achieved before the cells are completely killed, say the experts. Earlier results from the DiRECT study published last year already showed that almost half of those affected could be cured by a strict diet.

Remission of diabetes can save health authorities a lot of money

If used nationally, at least 1.5 million of the 3.6 million British patients diagnosed with diabetes could be saved, which could save the NHS an estimated £ 4 billion a year. Newcastle University researchers measured lipid levels in the liver and pancreas in 41 of the original study participants. Of these, 29 were successfully brought into remission.

So far it was not known why weight loss causes remission

After losing weight, the insulin-producing beta cells of people in remission began to work properly by releasing the right amount of insulin that the body needed. Their insulin production continued to improve as the study progressed. There was no change in the amount of insulin produced by non-responders because their beta cells had not survived the stress of being surrounded by too much fat. DiRECT has already provided evidence that some people can remission their type 2 diabetes, but it was not yet known why.

Talk to your doctor before taking a diet

The current study builds on these promising results and helps the experts understand how weight loss can help some people get their insulin production back on track. It is very important that anyone who has type 2 diabetes and considers a low calorie diet first talk to their doctor.

Results provided important insights

The group healed of type 2 diabetes averaged 16.2 kg over five months, compared to 13.4 kg in those who did not manage to cure their diabetes. The results provide insight into the body, allowing researchers to understand exactly what happens when people get rid of type 2 diabetes and become fully healthy again, says study author Professor Roy Taylor of Newcastle University.

How did the study go??

DiRECT is the largest study ever funded by Diabetes UK and the first phase tracked 298 patients with type 2 diabetes. Half of the participants were instructed to take medicines for diabetes and perform a conventional weight loss. The other half of the subjects were asked to take medicines for diabetes and to consume shakes or soups with a maximum of 853 calories per day for up to five months. Subjects were then given intensive counseling by their family doctors to gradually return to a normal diet after two to eight weeks, followed by a gradual increase in physical activity. (As)