<\/a>People with Type 2 diabetes could reverse their condition by following a very low calorie diet, according to new research.
\nThe expert behind the study said the \u201cremarkable\u201d findings showed an eight-week diet could prompt the body to produce its own insulin.
\nThe breakthrough suggests a dramatic drop in calories has a direct effect on reducing fat accumulated\u00a0in the pancreas, which in turn prompts insulin cells to \u201cwake up\u201d.
\nJust 600 calories a day as part of a special diet could be enough to reverse Type 2 diabetes in some patients. The condition affects 3.5 million people in the UK.
\nThe findings are consistent with the belief that a lack of insulin secretion \u2014 which is vital for blood sugar control \u2014 is due to accumulation of fat in the liver and pancreas.
\nExperts at Newcastle University carried out an early-stage trial on 11 people with diabetes.
\nThey each followed a diet of liquid drinks (containing 46.4% carbohydrate, 32.5% protein and 20.1% fat, with vitamins and minerals) and non-starchy vegetables.
\nAfter just one week, pre-breakfast blood sugar levels had returned to normal among the group.
\nOver two months, insulin cell function in the pancreas increased towards normal and pancreatic fat decreased, as shown on MRI scans.
\nThree months later, after going back to normal eating with advice on portion control and healthy foods, seven people remained free of diabetes.
\nProfessor Roy Taylor, of Newcastle University who led the study, said: \u201cWe have been able to put diabetes into reverse by a very low calorie diet over a short period of time. We are at quite an exciting point in terms of looking forward to really making an impact upon Type 2 diabetes.\u201d<\/p>\n

-With belfasttelegraph.co.uk<\/span> input<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

People with Type 2 diabetes could reverse their condition by following a very low calorie diet, according to new research. The expert behind the study said the \u201cremarkable\u201d findings showed an eight-week diet could prompt the body to produce its own insulin. The breakthrough suggests a dramatic drop in calories has a direct effect on … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[2058,1839,4507],"yoast_head":"\n