MediQCan diet and exercise put type 2 diabetes into remission in younger adults?
A clinical trial found that an intensive diet and exercise program helped 54% of younger adults achieve type 2 diabetes remission in six months. The study took place in Canada and the UK, so this specific program is not yet standard care elsewhere.
In short
- In a clinical trial, 54% of younger adults with type 2 diabetes achieved remission after 24 weeks of intensive diet and exercise.
- Only 4% of participants receiving standard medical care achieved remission in the same period.
- The program required stopping diabetes medications under strict medical supervision, which should never be done alone.
If you were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before age 45, you might wonder whether lifestyle changes alone could bring your blood sugar back to a healthy range. A new clinical trial suggests this may be possible for many younger adults when diet and exercise are combined under close medical supervision.
Researchers from McGill University in Canada and the University of Leicester in the UK tested an intensive program on 96 adults aged 18 to 45 who had early-onset type 2 diabetes and obesity but did not use insulin. The findings were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting and published in The Lancet Regional Health Americas.
What did the intensive program involve?
The trial compared usual medical care with a strict 24-week plan. Participants in the intensive group followed a low-calorie diet providing 800 to 900 calories daily, made up of 30% protein, 50% carbohydrate, and 20% fat. They also completed supervised aerobic and resistance exercise twice a week, plus one independent session weekly for the first 12 weeks.
For the first two weeks, all meals were replaced with specially formulated nutritional products. After that, participants could eat one regular meal a day alongside these products, aiming for specific amounts of protein, fruit, and vegetables. From weeks 13 to 24, they shifted to a diet designed to maintain their weight loss while continuing to exercise independently.
Importantly, participants stopped their blood sugar and blood pressure medications at the start of the program under the study's direct medical supervision.
How many people achieved remission?
Remission means blood sugar falls below the level used to diagnose diabetes and stays there without glucose-lowering drugs. It does not necessarily mean the disease is permanently cured.
After 24 weeks, 27 of the 50 participants in the intensive group achieved remission, or 54%. In comparison, just two of the 46 participants receiving standard care reached remission, or about 4%. The researchers calculated that those in the intensive program were 21 times more likely to achieve remission.
The intensive group also lost an average of 8.4 kg over 24 weeks, compared with 1.2 kg in the standard care group. Much of this difference came from reduced body fat rather than muscle loss.
Are there risks to trying this?
No severe adverse events were reported during the trial. However, side effects were common in the intensive group. At least one problem occurred in 43 of the 50 participants, including constipation, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. These generally resolved over time.
The researchers caution that longer studies are needed to see if these benefits last. Never stop diabetes medication or start a very low-calorie diet without talking to your doctor first.
What you can do now
- Talk to your doctor if you have type 2 diabetes and want to explore whether lifestyle changes could reduce your need for medication.
- Include both aerobic activity and resistance exercises, such as lifting weights or using resistance bands, in your weekly routine to help protect muscle.
- Never stop taking prescribed diabetes or blood pressure medications without direct medical supervision, even if you change your diet.
- Call emergency services (103) if you experience persistent dizziness, severe fatigue, or headaches while changing your eating habits.
Questions you may have
Does remission mean my diabetes is cured forever?
No. Remission means your blood sugar has fallen below the level used to diagnose diabetes and stays there without glucose-lowering drugs. The researchers note it does not necessarily mean the disease has been permanently cured.
Can I try this 800-calorie diet on my own?
You should not attempt this alone. In the trial, participants stopped their blood sugar and blood pressure medications under the study's direct medical supervision. Always talk to your doctor before making major changes to your diet or medications.
Did the participants lose muscle along with fat?
The researchers specifically included resistance training to protect muscle mass. Their results suggest it is possible to achieve substantial fat loss while preserving muscle, though they say this needs examination in a longer-term study.
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