Understanding type 2 diabetes remission
Remission in people with type 2 diabetes means that your blood sugar levels are no longer in the range for diabetes, without needing to take any diabetes medication. Some people call this reversing type 2 diabetes, although ‘remission’ is preferred as blood sugar levels can rise again.
Research shows that remission is strongly linked to weight loss. Whilst not everyone who takes part in this programme will reach remission, there are many other benefits directly linked to losing excess weight.
How the programme works
Over the course of 12 months, you will be supported to lose weight through a meal replacement diet and follow up 1:1 support either face to face or online through an organisation called Oviva.
For the first 12 weeks of the programme, all meals will be replaced by soups or shakes, totaling 800-900 calories a day. After this initial period you will be supported to re-introduce healthy food and maintain good habits. The whole programme lasts for one year. Your GP practice will be kept informed of your progress and if any medication changes might be needed.
Research has shown that this approach helped people living with type 2 diabetes, who are obese or overweight, to lose over 10kg in weight, improve their blood sugar levels, and reduce diabetes-related medication. Additionally, in almost half of participants, it put their type 2 diabetes into remission.
The programme is open to patients who:
- have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the last 6 years, and
- are aged 18 – 65, and
- are overweight, with a BMI of 27+, or a BMI of 25+ if Black, Asian or from another ethnic minority background.
If you are interested in taking part in this programme, please ask your GP to refer you. There are other eligibility criteria criteria to be referred to the service, which can be discussed with your GP.
Find more information on the Oviva website