The program that achieved the remission of type 2 diabetes early in more than half of the participants, according to a study

The program that achieved remission of early-onset type 2 diabetes in more than half of the participants, according to a study The authors of the study, conducted in centers in England and Canada, assure that their findings reinforce the potential of structured lifestyle interventions to achieve clinically significant remission. A research conducted by an international team of scientists suggests that, in people who have developed early-onset type 2 diabetes (EOT2D, for its abbreviation in English), nearly half of the cases can be reversed through a low-calorie diet, combined with a structured exercise program. EOT2D is usually considered when it occurs in those under 45 years old. The authors affirm that this is a specific and increasing clinical phenotype, characterized by a rapid deterioration in blood glucose control, the early onset of complications, and a shorter life expectancy compared to type 2 diabetes that manifests in later stages of life. Low-calorie diets can reduce glucose levels below the diagnostic thresholds for type 2 diabetes without the need for medication, which is known as disease remission. On the other hand, incorporating structured exercise can offer benefits such as better physical condition, preservation of muscle mass, optimized cardiac function, and lower insulin resistance. In their study, the scientists evaluated the effectiveness of combining a low-calorie diet with supervised exercise to achieve EOT2D remission at 24 weeks. The team conducted a randomized, open-label clinical trial with blinded results in three centers located in England and Canada. The centers were affiliated with the University of Leicester, McGill University, and the University of Alberta. The research included adults between 18 and 45 years old with EOT2D and obesity who were not receiving insulin treatment. Two groups were compared. One received only usual medical care. The other followed an intervention that included a low-calorie diet (800–900 kcal/day), supervised exercise twice a week (which included aerobic and resistance activities) and autonomous exercise once a week (during weeks 1 to 12). Subsequently, this phase was followed by a weight maintenance diet, accompanied by autonomous exercise (during weeks 13 to 24). The sample consisted of 96 people: 24 women and 26 men in the intervention group, and 21 women and 25 men in the control group. Through a statement, the authors explain that the primary endpoint was remission at 24 weeks, defined by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c < 6.5% [48 mmol/mol]) and the absence of hypoglycemic medication for at least 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints included cardiopulmonary capacity, body composition, and cardiac structure. How a low-calorie diet and exercise can contribute to early-onset type 2 diabetes remission, according to the study At 24 weeks, the team observed remission in 27 of the 50 participants in the intervention group, i.e., those who underwent a low-calorie diet and a structured exercise program. In the control group, those who did not adopt these measures, only 2 out of 46 participants showed remission. After statistical adjustment, it was determined that the participants in the intervention group were 21 times more likely to achieve remission than those in the control group. The statistical adjustment also revealed that, on average, the participants in the intervention group lost 7.5 kg more than those in the control group by week 24, a figure that included an additional loss of 6.6 kg of fat mass. According to the authors, remission was achieved without serious adverse events occurring. However, they specify that most participants in the intervention group experienced at least one adverse event (43/50 versus 6/46). They state that this was mainly due to initial effects derived from the low-calorie diet (for example, constipation, headache, dizziness, and fatigue), which eventually resolved. The study results were published in The Lancet Regional Health Americas. “Our findings demonstrate the viability and effectiveness of combining structured aerobic and resistance exercise with a low-calorie diet in cases of early-onset type 2 diabetes, which supports their potential to generate substantial and holistic health and well-being benefits, as well as favor diabetes remission,” the authors maintain. And they add: “Our remission rates are at the upper end of those previously reported in scientific literature for trials of similar duration. This reinforces the potential of structured lifestyle interventions to achieve clinically significant remission, while demonstrating for the first time that such effects can be achieved in a multiethnic population with early-onset type 2 diabetes through an intervention that combines a low-calorie diet with structured exercise.” It should be remembered that if you have doubts related to your health and/or nutrition, it is always advisable to consult with specialists to evaluate your case and the best ways to address it. COMMENTS To comment on this article you must be a subscriber. Latest Most read 1. 3. 4. 5. Some read, others inform. Take advantage of this unique offer. Digital Plan+$4.120 per month, until the end of the year SUBSCRIBE