Thousands of people with type 2 diabetes in England are to be prescribed a very low-calorie diet in the hope of reversing their condition. Under the pilot they will be restricted to 800 calories a day, in the form of soups and shakes, for three months.
During clinical trials, almost half of those involved managed to put their diabetes into remission. NHS England has also announced it’s expanding a programme to prevent people developing type 2 diabetes. The health service currently spends around 10% of its budget on treating diabetes in England. Up to 5,000 patients will be prescribed the diet by the NHS initially. They will also receive follow-up support.
Nine out of 10 people with diabetes in the UK have type 2, which is strongly linked to diet and lifestyle. Type 1 diabetes, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease that is not linked with being overweight or inactive. One patient who took part in a recent trial, involving 298 people, lost more than four stones (25kg) and no longer needs diabetes medication.
Isobel Murray, from Largs in North Ayrshire, was on the liquid-only diet for 17 weeks, with each meal consisting of a 200-calorie sachet of powder mixed with water to make a soup or a shake. After losing weight, she was then introduced to healthy, solid meals by dieticians – but she said while the liquid diet was relatively easy, “eating normal food is the hardest bit”. She said of the diet: “You have to be fired up, you have to be prepared, but anybody can do it if you feel strongly enough.”
Prof Jonathan Valabhji, national clinical director for diabetes and obesity for NHS England, acknowledged the diet is challenging and it does not suit everyone. “But we think it is worth exploring the implementation of these programmes within the NHS so that those who could benefit, can benefit,” he said. While type 2 diabetes can have a genetic component, it is strongly linked to being overweight or obese.
About two-thirds of adults and one-third of children are currently overweight or obese, which is driving up rates of the condition.