In fact in a clinical trial it was proved insulin-producing cells can be “rebooted” in many cases if weight loss is achieved before the cells have been killed off completely. Researchers at Newcastle University measured levels of fat in the liver and pancreas in 41 of the original study participants. Of these 29 were successfully put in remission and 16 were not. After losing weight the insulin-producing beta cells of people in remission started to work properly again, releasing the right amount of insulin the body needs. A strict diet of nutritional shakes and soups is needed. Foods are then slowly introduced alongside counselling to how to live healthily. The formula diet was donated by Cambridge Weight Plan.
The cured group lost 16.2 kg on average over five months. Estimation is promising: the scheme could cure at least 1.5 million of the 3.6 million British patients diagnosed with diabetes (almost half of sufferers). However, researchers not know why some people can put their Type 2 diabetes into remission this way. 98% of the participants were white, so additional studies are needed to assess the generalizability of the results. Lead researcher Prof Roy Taylor said: “These results provide a dramatic window into the body allowing us to see exactly what is happening as people change from having Type 2 diabetes to being healthy.” The findings were published in Cell Metabolism journal. According to the World Health Organization, diabetes affects approximately 422 million people worldwide. Approximately 90% of cases are type 2 diabetes.
