Research
Energy balance
Interventions using a hypocaloric formula 'total diet replacement' induction phase are the most effective approach for achieving type 2 diabetes remission.
To maximize your chances of reversing type 2 diabetes, use a program that starts with a formula-based total diet replacement phase. This approach yields a 54% remission rate at one year, significantly higher than Mediterranean (15%) or ketogenic (20%) diets.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Programmes including a hypocaloric formula ‘total diet replacement’ induction phase were most effective for type 2 diabetes remission.
Why this rating
Based on low-risk-of-bias RCTs with GRADE high certainty.
Source
Diets for weight management in adults with type 2 diabetes: an umbrella review of published meta-analyses and systematic review of trials of diets for diabetes remission
Chaitong Churuangsuk et al. · Diabetologia · 2021
DOI 10.1007/s00125-021-05577-2
Meta-analysis · 19 studiesCited 197×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Low-carbohydrate diets are not superior to higher-carbohydrate or low-fat diets for weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes.Strong
- Very low energy diets (VLED) and formula meal replacements produce significantly greater weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes compared to standard low-energy or low-fat diets.Good
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
- Bariatric surgery is superior to medical management alone for inducing significant long-term weight loss, remission of type 2 diabetes, and reduction in mortality for patients with BMI ≥ 40 or ≥ 35 with comorbidities.Strong
- Achieving type 2 diabetes remission requires significant weight loss (≥15 kg) via major caloric restriction, independent of macronutrient composition.Strong
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