Type 2 diabetes in newly diagnosed 'can be reversed' (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

An extreme eight-week diet of 600 calories a day can reverse Type 2 diabetes in people newly diagnosed with the disease, says a Diabetologia study.

Newcastle University researchers found the low-calorie diet reduced fat levels in the pancreas and liver, which helped insulin production return to normal.

Seven out of 11 people studied were free of diabetes three months later, say findings published in the journal.

More research is needed to see whether the reversal is permanent, say experts.
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The 11 participants in the study were all diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes within the previous four years.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13887909




Awesome development, if confirmed!

[Curmudgeoness]

1. They have said before that if you lose weight,

you can reverse diabetes. So I would like to have a study with a second group who lose weight on a less severe diet. Also, this is too few study participants to be statistically significant.

Be hey, it is a great first step.

[snagglepuss]

2. The study has been criticised for having too few people and concerns about

reducing daily caloric intake to just 600 calories.

[frazzled]

3. What if you are already thin when you develop Type 2?

My father developed Type 2 diabetes in his 80s, and he was (and has always been) rail thin. A diet like that (especially since he exercises a lot) would probably kill him. If your pancreas is going to stop working it's going to stop working. As the one professor in this article says, "you can delay its onset for years, but you will get it sooner or later because it's in the system."

[markpkessinger]

5. Good point ...

I was diagnosed about 7 months ago. I am 50 years old, 5'11" and weigh 160 pounds. The most I have ever weighed was 165, and I've always been very physically active. While the diet specified probably wouldn't kill me, it would take me down to a very unhealthy weight.

The problem is that some of us Type II diabetics got the condition primarily as a result of genetics (both sides of the family in my case) rather than weight or lifestyle.

[TNDemo]

6. Me too.

Every member of my family has it and there has never been an overweight family member ever, much less obese. I have always been a healthy food eater too. It has to do with more than junk food and being overweight.

[TexasProgresive]

7. My Dad developed diabetes in his 70s

I don't think that condition is the same as classic type II which I have. Classic type II is generally preceded by hypoglycemic episodes that the person self medicates with candy and soda which spikes blood sugars and then they drop off a clift. This leads to obesity. I think that the problem is that those prone to type II have never had good sugar levels.

Now your Dad and mine I have a different theory-age. The pancrease is just wearing out same as my thyroid.

[eppur_se_muova]

10. Interesting story on that aspect...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=222&topic_id=106158&mesg_id=106158

[Nay]

4. Very interesting--as a newly-diagnosed Type 2 myself, I am going to the doc

to see if he'll approve and supervise me for such a fast.

[TexasProgresive]

8. Type II diabetics tend to produce more insulin then normal people

It is called insulin resistance because the blood sugars do no respond to the insulin. There is a connection to abdominal body fat and insulin resistance.

When I was first diagnosed 20 years ago I restricted carbs, lost weight, and cycled myself to normal sugars. That was good for about 10 years and then my sugars spiked. My doc told me that while I was "normal" for 10 years the disease progresses. I am currently on an oral and insulin. The fact that I was in good control for 10 years without drugs probably lengthened my life span.

I'm curious as to the long term effect of people who have had lap bands and gastric bypass surgery and had their diabetes go into remission. Will it last or will the symptoms recur?

[grasswire]

9. how would blood sugars be maintained at 600 calories/day?

I would feel like hell.