Diabetes remission through intermittent, calorie-restricted diet

• A small randomised, control trial with intermittent calorie-restricted diet carried out in people with type-2 diabetes was able to achieve remission in nearly 50% of the participants in the intervention group.
• All participants who achieved remission had completely stopped taking any drug to control blood sugar, and the remission lasted at least one year.

About the trial

• More stringent criteria for complete remission: a return to normal measures of glucose metabolism (HbA1c in the normal range, and fasting blood glucose of 100 mg/dL).
• Definition of remission: stable HbA1c levels < 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) after discontinuing anti-diabetic medications for at least three months.
• Adjusted dosage of anti-diabetic medications: depending on blood glucose levels.
• Diet of participants: received the Chinese Medical Nutrition Therapy (CMNT) diet and underwent intermittent fasting for five days, followed by 10 days of ad libitum eating of everyday food items.
• 6 cycles of intermittent fasting: followed by ad libitum eating during the three months of trial.
• CMNT diet: contains daily foods such as wheat, barley, rice, rye, and oat, and features low glycaemic loads, calories, and carbohydrates.
• No impact of duration of type-2 diabetes: did not influence diabetes remission in participants.
• Potential mechanism of the CMNT in achieving remission: by improving islet cell function, intestinal flora and liver glucose metabolism show.
• Follow-ups: Scientists are planning further research and trial involving more participants living in a larger geographical area.
• Development of a CMNT digital medical product for diabetes: combines biotechnology with information technology is under way.