Losing weight is never easy, but it can be especially challenging when trying to manage type 2 diabetes. When tackling obesity and type 2 diabetes issues, some people are motivated by an initial dramatic weight loss. For that reason, we’ve developed the Defeat Diabetes 4-Week Rapid Weight Loss Program: a science-backed program designed to help fast track your weight loss and build healthy eating habits.
Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes remission is closely linked to weight loss. Even a modest amount of weight loss can improve quality of life, blood glucose control and a reduced need for medications. In many cases, weight loss can help accelerate the remission of type 2 diabetes.
What’s the science behind Rapid Weight Loss?
In research performed by Professor Roy Taylor in Newcastle, UK, rapid weight loss has been shown to be an effective tool for controlling type 2 diabetes.
Professor Taylor was a lead researcher of the DiRECT trial: a study investigating whether an intensive programme for weight loss maintenance would help people with type 2 diabetes.
DiRECT trial participants followed a low calorie (800 calories per day) liquid diet of processed soups and shakes and non-starchy vegetables for three to five months. They then slowly reintroduced solid foods over a further two months.
The study found that 24% of participants experienced weight loss of 15kg or more, and 46% with type 2 diabetes (who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the past six years) were in remission after 12 months. Another year later, 70% of those participants were still in remission.
Professor Taylor believes that rapid weight loss causes reversal of fat accumulation in the liver and pancreas, which allows the damaged cells in the insulin-producing pancreas to recover normal function.
He believes remission can occur with a weight loss of 15 kg (if you’re an unhealthy weight) or 5-10% of body weight (if you’re not particularly overweight).
For the record, we define “rapid weight loss” as losing 1 kg or more per week, achieved by restricting calories and carbs to fast track weight and/or achieve more weight loss.
How does the Defeat Diabetes 4-Week Rapid Weight Loss Plan compare?
Most of the low calorie diets used in research (including DiRECT) have involved a liquid diet. They use meal replacement shakes and soups in palace of meals and can be hard to stick to for an extended period. In addition, eating a very low calorie diet for a long time can cause the body to adapt, which prevents further weight loss. Not the result we’re looking for!
Studies have shown that intermittent low calorie programs (like our 4-Week Rapid Weight Loss Program) are easier than keeping to a calorie-restricted diet.
The Defeat Diabetes medical team believe keeping to a low calorie diet is tricky in the long term (mainly because of hunger). We recommend four weeks of low calorie eating as an achievable compromise and a great way to fast track your weight loss goals.
After completing your 4-Week Rapid Weight Loss meal plans, you can continue your weight loss and diabetes control by switching to the Defeat Diabetes Low Carb meal plan in the Defeat Diabetes Program.
After this rapid burst of initial weight loss, it is typical to see a gentler weight loss (around 500g per week) until you reach your goal weight.
So, now what?
So now you know that type 2 diabetes can be managed and sometimes even sent into remission with the right support and guidance, why not explore our new 4-Week Rapid Weight Loss Program? It’s been shown to be an effective, safe and sustainable approach for people who want to see faster weight loss results.
