Energy balance
Formula very low-energy diets (VLEDs, <800 kcal/day) and low-energy diets (LEDs, 800–1200 kcal/day) achieve clinically significant short-term weight loss (10–15% bodyweight) and can induce type 2 diabetes (T2D) remission when combined with structured weight maintenance programs.
If you have recently diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes and obesity, a structured program using formula meals (under 800-1200 calories/day) for 3-5 months, followed by a gradual return to normal food and long-term support, can put your diabetes into remission in nearly half of participants. This requires medical supervision to adjust diabetes medications safely, but it is a viable alternative to surgery for many.
Formula diets can achieve clinically significant weight reduction in the short-term (3–5 months) and new evidence demonstrates that long-term weight loss maintenance (up to 4 years) is achievable. Weight reductions of between 10% and 15% bodyweight have been reported, which is associated with clinically meaningful health outcomes in a number of obesity-related co-morbidities including type 2 diabetes (T2D)... Recent evidence indicates that using a formula LED with a weight loss maintenance programme can help people with overweight or obesity and T2D achieve remission.
Why this rating
The paper cites high-quality RCTs (DiRECT, Counterbalance) and systematic reviews, though it notes some methodological weaknesses in earlier studies.
Source
Very low‐energy and low‐energy formula diets: Effects on weight loss, obesity co‐morbidities and type 2 diabetes remission – an update on the evidence for their use in clinical practice
Adrian Brown et al. · Nutrition Bulletin · 2019
DOI 10.1111/nbu.12372
Related findings · Energy balance
- Achieving a total body weight loss of 10-15% (or >10-15 kg) through Total Diet Replacement (TDR) induces remission of Type 2 Diabetes in individuals with short-duration disease.Strong
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