Type 2 diabetes and remission through diet

Peer-reviewed evidence refutes the idea that type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a progressive, irreversible, drug-dependent condition. For example, in 2021, a review published by the British Dietetic Association stated that ‘total dietary replacements and low-carbohydrate diets have been demonstrated as being effective in facilitating weight loss and remission of T2D.’ This is cited by the authors of a practical primary care-based study (Unwin et al, 2023) undertaken at Southport's Norwood surgery in northwest England, whose low-carbohydrate diet approach to T2D is helping revolutionise the condition's management.

Of 186 T2D patients who chose a low-carbohydrate approach — which included one-to-one GP consultations, plus group consultations and personal phone calls as necessary — not only did 97% improve their diabetic control, but 77% of those who had T2D for less than 1 year achieved drug-free remission in a matter of months. Further, Norwood surgery spent £4.94 per patient annually on diabetes drugs compared with £11.30 for local practices, translating to annual savings of £68 353 compared with the area average.