A research done by a city-based organization discovered that type 2 diabetes which affects almost 70 million people in India can be reversed in the initial stages with a low-calorie diet.

As per the experts of the institute, a few patients who are young and have diabetes for a shorter duration and are more obese can reverse it by making necessary changes in their lifestyle. The scientific findings of the Diabetes Reversal through Exercise, Education, and Meal Management (DREEMM) project have also been published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism.

It is believed that diabetes is a result of positive energy balance i.e eating more than what a person requires results in obesity deposition of fat and loss of function of important organs of the body like the pancreas and liver. Similarly, a negative energy balance i.e eating less than what a person requires results in the utilization of deposited fat and improvement in the function of these organs. The study conducted by the Chellaram Diabetes Institute (CDI) stated that many studies are being conducted on this method of managing diabetes using a low-calorie diet and lowering dependence on medicines.

The examination observed that with low-calorie diet patients not just achieved normal blood glucose levels and weight loss but also showed improvement in the parameters like an increase in pancreatic insulin secretion and decreased insulin resistance.

Dr. A.G Unnikrishan, CEO, and endocrinologist, CDI Pune, said, “Type 2 diabetes was thought to be a progressive disease requiring lifestyle modifications and medicines including insulin injection. However, the current thinking is that Type 2 diabetes can be reversed by a low-calorie diet.”

Patients were given 1,000 kcal/day with the help of portion-controlled meal replacements in addition to regular food for a period of 12 weeks. The diet gave 50% energy from carbohydrates, 30% from proteins and 20% from fats.

Dr. Anjali Bhatt, a consultant endocrinologist at CDI, added, “We can successfully lower blood glucose levels in 12 weeks. A high-calorie diet, typically rich in carbohydrates and fat, along with a sedentary lifestyle leads to obesity and diabetes affecting our health and well-being.”

Dr. Vivek Tadwalkar, senior diabetologist, and consultant physician, Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, explained, “Lifestyle changes include proper diet therapy, regular physical activity, and weight loss. The patients whose diabetes has been reversed still need to be under regular medical follow-up.”