Energy balance
Achieving type 2 diabetes remission requires significant weight loss (≥15 kg) via major caloric restriction, independent of macronutrient composition.
To potentially reverse type 2 diabetes, you need to lose a significant amount of weight, specifically 15 kg or more. This is best achieved through a medically supervised very low-calorie diet (around 800-850 calories/day) for 12-20 weeks, followed by a structured reintroduction of food. The specific type of diet (low-carb vs low-fat) is less important than achieving this weight loss threshold.
The greater the weight loss, the greater the likelihood of remission (86% at 1 year for weight loss ≥15kg; 57%, 34% and 7% for weight loss of 10–15 kg, 5–10 kg and <5 kg respectively).
Why this rating
Based on the DiRECT RCT, a high-quality randomized controlled trial.
Source
Embracing complexity: making sense of diet, nutrition, obesity and type 2 diabetes
Nita G. Forouhi · Diabetologia · 2023
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