What does it mean to reverse Type 2 diabetes?
Reversing Type 2 diabetes means getting your blood sugar back to normal (or near normal) levels without needing medication. This is possible for many people if they lose 10-15kg (about 2 stone) in weight soon after they're diagnosed.
Why is it called "remission" and not a "cure"?
We say "remission" instead of "cure" because if weight is regained, then diabetes will return.
How does weight loss help?
Losing weight is really important because it gets rid of extra fat in your liver and pancreas. Too much fat in these organs makes it hard for them to control your blood sugar. When you lose weight, they can work normally again.
Want to learn more?
Watch the short YouTube video below to learn more about how losing weight can help reverse Type 2 diabetes.
Find out more about what is involved in each phase of the NHS Tayside Type 2 diabetes remission programme below.
After completing the self-referral sign up form (above) or if you've been referred by your doctor/nurse, we’ll be in touch to schedule an initial online appointment with one of the Remission Team. We aim to be in touch within 4 weeks.
During this appointment, we'll check your medical history and medications, provide you with more details on the programme, and if you decide to proceed, we'll discuss the next group start dates.
We'll also arrange equipment for monitoring your blood sugars and blood pressure and a sample of meal replacements to choose your preferred flavours.
For the first 12 weeks, you'll replace all meals with low-calorie soups and shakes (800-900 calories/day). The aim is to lose at least 15kg, as this has been shown to offer the best opportunity for remission.
Medications for blood sugar and blood pressure are usually stopped for safety reasons as they fall with weight loss. You'll monitor these at home and report them to the team.
Fortnightly group meetings with a Dietitian or Health Psychologist will guide you through phase 1. Most sessions are online, but there's in-person meetings at the start and end so you can meet others on the programme, and we can check your weight, blood sugars (HbA1c) and blood pressure.
Over the next 6 weeks, you'll receive guidance on gradually reintroducing healthy meals and establishing new routines. You'll replace shakes/soups with calorie-controlled meals every 2 weeks. You'll continue monitoring your weight, blood sugars, and blood pressure, and attend fortnightly group sessions. You'll also receive an activity tracker as we start to focus more on increasing physical activity (if you are able).
This phase focuses on maintaining your weight loss and firmly establishing 'new-normal' lifestyle habits. You'll continue receiving support from your Dietitian and Health Psychologist through monthly group sessions, focusing on the fundamentals of weight management, including understanding your eating patterns and managing challenges like stress and emotions. The programme concludes with a final in-person session to take final programme measurements, and celebrate your achievements!
Frequently asked questions about our Type 2 diabetes remission programme
Diabetes medication is usually stopped on day 1 of the low calorie diet (not before this point). Blood pressure medications also need to be reduced if you are taking these. We will work with you and your GP/nurse to adjust your medications, ensure your safety and monitor your progress.
Self-refer using the link above! Or, talk to your GP, Practice Nurse or healthcare provider.
Thousands of people in the UK have been successful using this approach. In the first few days some people feel hungry and find it difficult, but once the diet is underway hunger is not usually a problem, which may come as a surprise. This is because after 2-3 days of low calorie intake, the body uses stored body fat for energy (to make up for the short fall in calorie intake). When the body is using fat for energy, something called ‘ketones’ are produced. Ketones act to suppress appetite by reducing the hunger hormone ghrelin.
During the early days of the low calorie diet, headache and fatigue are not unusual, but settle down after a few days. Constipation is quite common but avoidable. We advise all participants to take Fybogel (a fibre supplement) from the beginning of Total Diet Replacement and this can be purchased from chemists or supermarkets, or arranged through your GP practice.
Intense exercise is best avoided during this time as it can stimulate appetite and increase desire to eat. A sensible walking programme or maintaining usual light activity levels during this stage is advised. Physical activity is introduced and discussed in the next stage of the programme.
Planned breaks can be taken for special occasions or significant change in circumstance. However, these can break momentum and ideally should be kept to a minimum.
If you do regain weight, a short period of Total Diet Replacement can be offered.
This programme is not for everyone. It is worth discussing with family, friends and health care providers but only you can decide whether this is the right type of weight management programme for you. Some people cannot tolerate the Total Diet Replacement due to taste or texture.
The Total Diet Replacement products are Kosher and Halal certified. Products are not suitable for people following a lactose free diet, and there is only a limited range of flavours that are vegan friendly. All products may contain gluten through cross-contamination.
Your GP will be aware of the remission programme and would be kept informed of your progress.
Yes – aim to lose 10-15kg using the approach most agreeable to you. Before starting, it is essential that you discuss your plans with your healthcare professional, particularly if you are taking medication for diabetes and/or blood pressure as these may need to be adjusted to keep you safe. If you plan to use a Total Diet Replacement, there are many products on the market. Be aware that not all are suitable.
No. Dietary weight loss by any means is successful, but it is most easily achieved by a Total diet Replacement (shakes/soups) of around 800-900 calories per day followed by sustained sensible dietary habits. Research suggests that traditional weight loss diets are unsuccessful for most people to achieve the 10-15kg weight loss required for remission of Type 2 diabetes. Individual preferences are important though, so choose what works best for you to lose the weight.
The time it takes to lose the weight is unimportant, but losing weight rapidly using a strict approach is often easier and more successful than a long drawn out effort.
