What is it about?

Weight loss of around 33 pounds can be achieved by a widely acceptable method. In a group of people who did this and achieved non-diabetic blood sugar levels, the pancreas gradually returned to normal maximum function over 2 years.

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Why is it important?

We have shown that type 2 diabetes is a simple state of having more fat inside liver and pancreas than an individual can bear. This personal fat threshold explains why the disease can occur at any weight, although more commonly at higher weights. It is so important that individuals recognise that they can return to full health long term, free of medication. This is true of recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes, although after 10 years the chance of complete remission of diabetes is lower. Overall, this is a profound change in understanding of this devastating condition.

Perspectives

My patients often describe the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes as being a hammer blow. They have suddenly lost their health and face potentially awful long term illness. Motivation to use the simple (but not easy) method of losing weight and escaping from diabetes is much higher than doctors and nurses assume. Over the 15 years this work has been in progress, the commonest comment from people on the programme has been 'I feel 10 years younger'. The possibility of helping people to a healthier, happier life is something that should have impact upon doctors.

Roy Taylor
Newcastle University, UK

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Time Course of Normalization of Functional β-Cell Capacity in the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial After Weight Loss in Type 2 Diabetes, Diabetes Care, February 2020, American Diabetes Association,
DOI: 10.2337/dc19-0371.
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