Health · Medical Research · 4 hrs ago
Intensive diet and exercise put 54% of trial participants’ diabetes into remission
A small trial in Canada and the UK tested an intensive diet and exercise program for adults aged 18 to 45 with obesity and early-onset type 2 diabetes.
The condition can progress quickly in younger adults and raise the risk of serious complications over many years.
For 12 weeks, one group ate 800 to 900 calories a day and did supervised aerobic and strength exercise, then spent 12 weeks working to maintain weight loss.
After six months, 54% in the program group reached remission, compared with 4% who received usual care.
Remission meant blood sugar levels fell below the diabetes threshold without glucose-lowering medication for at least three months.
The results suggest intensive lifestyle changes may help some younger adults, but the trial was small and the program was demanding.
Experts caution that this approach may not suit everyone, and participants had medical monitoring and support during the program.
A trial found that an intensive diet and exercise program put early-onset type 2 diabetes into remission for 54% of participants after six months.
The study enrolled 96 adults aged 18 to 45 with obesity who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the previous six years.
The program began with 12 weeks of a diet providing 800 to 900 calories a day and supervised aerobic and resistance exercise.
After 24 weeks, 54% of the intervention group had remission, compared with 4% of those receiving usual care.
Experts cautioned that the intensive approach may not be suitable or sustainable for everyone.
- Who
- Researchers studied 96 adults aged 18 to 45 with obesity and early-onset type 2 diabetes.
- What
- An intensive diet and exercise program led to remission for 54% of participants in the intervention group after six months.
- When
- The study was published October 1. Participants followed the program for 24 weeks.
- Where
- The trial was conducted in Canada and the United Kingdom.
- Why
- Researchers tested whether intensive weight loss and structured exercise could put early-onset type 2 diabetes into remission.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The study was published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas.
The intervention group followed a calorie-restricted diet and took part in supervised exercise sessions.
Participants moved toward regular food and continued exercising independently while aiming to maintain weight loss.
Remission was reported in 54% of the intervention group and 4% of the usual-care group.
- Participants
- 96 adults aged 18 to 45
- Diet
- 800 to 900 calories a day for the first 12 weeks
- Exercise
- Two supervised sessions weekly, plus a third session completed independently
- Remission rate
- 54% in the intervention group; 4% in the usual-care group
- Study duration
- 24 weeks
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What people are saying
It’s more evidence that nutrition and exercise interventions can make a difference in diabetes management
But people don’t need to go to the same extremes that they see in this research study—there could be potential health risks.