The original research into the effect that weight loss had on type 2 diabetes was startling – it cured it! Hardly believable. Now researchers have gathered data from a three-year extension of that landmark Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT) and it’s thrown up findings that are even more remarkable.
Nearly a quarter (23%) of participants who were in remission from type 2 diabetes at two years in the original trial remain in remission at five years, no longer needing to use diabetes medications to manage their blood sugar levels. Furthermore, these people had an average weight loss of 8.9kg at five years.
The original DiRECT trial for people with type 2 involved a 12-week low-calorie diet, followed by support to gradually reintroduce healthy foods and maintain weight loss.
