New NHS diet helps people cut more than two stone in three months

Thousands more people have access to an NHS-led ‘life-changing’ diet to combat diabetes after initial success saw participants lose two stones in twelve weeks.

The early stages of the program showed positive signs that participants could put their type 2 diabetes into remission through weight loss.

People in the pilot program lost an average of 7.2 kg after one month and 13.4 kg (more than two stones) after two months, according to the liverpool eco.

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Weight loss helps people with diabetes control their blood sugar levels and reduces the need for diabetes-related medications.

Roughly one in 10 prescriptions written by GPs are for the treatment of diabetes, a condition estimated to cost the National Health Service £10 billion a year.

As the number of people receiving treatment for diabetes continues to grow, projections show almost 39,000 more people could have a heart attack by 2035, and more than 50,000 could have a stroke, the NHS said.

To address this growing problem, the NHS has launched a “soups and shakes” diet that includes low-calorie diet replacement products for the first three months to boost weight loss.

Participants then reintroduce healthy, nutritious foods back into their diet, tracking progress through one-on-one virtual group sessions and digital support to maintain a healthier weight, all supported by expert doctors and coaches from the start of the program. one year. .

The weight loss achieved by many diets is unsustainable, and can lead to long-term weight gain, but people on this program who eat and drink low-calorie alternatives keep the weight off, according to data released last month.

In one trial, almost half of the people who followed this diet saw their type 2 diabetes go into remission after a year.

Remission is when blood sugar levels return to normal and people can stop taking diabetes medications.

Professor Jonathan Valabhji, NHS National Clinical Director for Diabetes and Obesity, said: “The fantastic results our participants have achieved through this program are really encouraging and show that real-world experience is in line with what we have found. in rehearsals.”

“We know that this weight loss will go a long way in helping people stay healthy and avoid preventable diseases, and for many it will also mean they can put type 2 diabetes into remission.

“This is also the latest example of the NHS rapidly adopting the latest evidence-based treatments to help people with type 2 diabetes live well.

“With research showing that obesity causes more serious illness from COVID-19, as well as other serious illnesses, there has never been a more important time to lose weight.”

Following the “life-changing success” of the first tests in the pilot, the program has been extended to 11 more regions of the country.

The program was already running in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw; Humber Coast and Valley; Greater Manchester; Frimley Health and Care; Gloucestershire; derbyshire; Birmingham and Solihull; Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes; northeast London; and north central London.

The scheme is now available to eligible people in North East and North Cumbria; West Yorkshire; Lancashire and South Cumbria; Nottingham and Nottinghamshire; Midlands region; Somersault; Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire; Middle and South Essex; South West London; Kent and Medway; and Sussex.

The scheme has not yet been extended to Merseyside or Halton, but the expansion of eligible areas has been hailed as a positive step.

Chris Askew OBE, CEO of Diabetes UK, said: “We are delighted to see the expansion of England’s NHS free weight loss program for people living with type 2 diabetes.

“Since its launch, this low-calorie diet pilot, inspired by Diabetes UK’s groundbreaking DiRECT trial, has helped thousands of people across England access the support they need to lose weight effectively and potentially put their diabetes into remission. type 2 diabetes.

“Remission can be life-changing, giving people a better chance at a healthier future.

“[The] advertisement [of the expansion] it means that many more people in England who are living with type 2 diabetes and are overweight will have the chance to get the support they need to get into remission.

“Diabetes UK is also committed to funding research to find other effective ways to get type 2 into remission, ensuring that more people have the chance to get into remission in the way that works best for them.”

To be eligible for the NHS Low Calorie Diet Program you must be between the ages of 18 and 65 and have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the last 6 years.

You must also have a body mass index (BMI) of:

• more than 27 kg/m2 for white people
• more than 25 kg/m2 for people of black, Asian and other ethnic groups

The National Health Service It warns that the diet is “not right for everyone” and advises people living in eligible areas to discuss it with their GP or diabetes team.

People who live in areas where this service is not provided should also discuss their individual circumstances with their GP to find out more about services available locally.