Experts have revealed the best diet to lose weight in type 2 diabetics.
They compared 12 studies that had been done to examine popular diets for helping diabetics lose weight.
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Type 2 diabetics can greatly benefit from weight loss. It can help make their condition easier to manage.
This may reduce the risk of potentially fatal complications.
Type 2 diabetes is often caused by obesity.
Diabetes UK suggests that type 2 diabetes could be remission if there is a significant weight loss, approximately 15kg if you’re obese.
It helps to remove excess body fat from the liver, pancreas and other organs. This aids in the restoration of organ function and improves insulin’s effectiveness.
Weight loss can help you feel more energized, active, and happier, regardless of your type 2 diabetes.
Knowing the importance of weight loss for those with type 2 diabetes, researchers led by the University of Glasgow wanted to conclude the most effective way of doing it, publishing their findings in the journal Diabetologia.
They also considered low-calorie, low-carb and high-protein diets as well as vegetarian, Mediterranean, high-healthy-fat, and low-GI foods diets.
Researchers only recommended a low-calorie diet of 500 to 1500 calories per day.
It’s not surprising to learn that weight loss is possible by cutting calories.
However, the analysis revealed that it was a liquid-based approach – using shakes and soups instead of food – that works best for weight loss leading into remission.
The best diet was a meal replacement liquid of 800 calories per day for 12 week, followed by a high carbohydrate low-fat diet and some soups.
Researchers concluded that: “Very low energy diets and formula meal replacement appear the most effective approaches, generally providing less energy than self-administered food-based diets.”
Weight loss was not supported by any other diet, even low-carbohydrate and Mediterranean diets.
People who followed these diets lost no more that 2kg.
It was clear that it was not a good idea to eliminate entire food groups in an effort to lose weight. Rather, reducing portions was the best option.
Dr Lucy Chambers from Diabetes UK Head of Research Communications, stated that the study was a success. “answers important questions”.
It also supported findings from the charity’s own research – that low calorie diets for 12 weeks have the best success rates.
Diabetes UK funded the DiRECT research, which showed that a low-calorie diet can help 25% of type 2 diabetes patients to lose 15kg or more and put 86% of them in remission.
Based on the results of the trial, the NHS has begun to trial it in the UK.
Dr Chambers said: “Diets that focus on reducing calories, such as low-calorie meal replacement diets, rather than reducing intake of certain nutrients or foods groups, such as carbohydrates, were found to give people with type 2 diabetes the best chance of losing weight and going into remission.
“Even a modest weight loss can have a positive impact on your health and well-being.
“It’s important to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all ‘diet for diabetes’.
“Low-calorie diets can be challenging, and if you have type 2 diabetes and want to lose weight, getting support from a healthcare professional can help you find an approach that is safe and works for you.”
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