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Services

Diabetes Remission

Introduction

There is increasing evidence showing that people who have been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes i.e. within the last 5 years and are overweight or obese, can achieve diabetes remission. Diabetes remission reduces the burden of anti-diabetic medication and the associated risks such as hypoglycaemia. It also reduces the risk of diabetes complications in the long run thereby improving the quality of life and potentially improving life expectancy. An individual should be off all medication for 6 months in order to have achieved diabetes remission.

Diabetes remission is often achieved by losing 15% of the total body weight (approximately 15Kg) through various lifestyle interventions, medications or surgery (if needed).

Treatment & Services 

At Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, the Diabetes Remission Program tackles type 2 diabetes with a tailored weight loss program managed by a multi-disciplinary team of trained experts including physicians, dieticians and diabetes specialist nurses. 

We offer various non-surgical options aiming to enable individuals to lose at least 15kg to help achieve remission, specifically: 

Very low-calorie meal- replacement programme

A study called DiRECT, short for Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial, showed that 86% of patients who had lost at least 15kgs using very low-calorie meal replacements achieved type 2 diabetes remission. Our low-calorie meal-replacement service is very similar to that of the DiRECT trial programme.

In the first 12 weeks, we prescribe low-calorie meal replacements in the form of fsoups or shakes, amounting to a total of 850 calories a day. From week 13 onwards, we will gradually reintroduce healthy food into the diet to maintain weight loss in the long term.

This programme has been shown to be effective in maintaining diabetes remission for at least two years.

Low-carbohydrate (low-carb) programme

Following a low-carbohydrate diet has been shown to improve blood-glucose control, blood pressure and lipid profiles in adults with type 2 diabetes. Our low-carb programme helps you to eat a healthy, balanced diet while reducing the amount of carbohydrates consumed. Studies have shown that a low-carb programme can achieve a substantial weight loss, reduce the risk of diabetes complications and improve the chances of putting type 2 diabetes into remission.

Intermittent fasting:

Time restricted feeding or intermittent fasting has been shown to help reduce insulin resistance and help individuals to achieve weight loss and diabetes remission, especially when used in combination with reduced calorie or reduced carbohydrate diets.

Our dieticians are trained at providing personalised weight loss advice to help achieve weight loss and diabetes remission.

Anti-diabetic and weight loss medication:

Many newer anti-diabetic medications have benefits beyond blood sugar control and some tablets and injections can result in significant weight loss, which may help the affected individual to start losing weight. Once an individual has achieved normal blood sugar levels and the appropriate weight loss, they are then able to discontinue the medication and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Resources



Our Specialist Doctors

  • Dr. Ali Khalili
    Dr. Ali Khalili

    Consultant Family Medicine

    Dr. Ali Khalili

    Consultant Family Medicine

  • Dr. Ali Murtaza Rathore
    Dr. Ali Murtaza Rathore

    Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist

    Dr. Ali Murtaza Rathore

    Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist

  • Dr. Amnah Almazrooei
    Dr. Amnah Almazrooei

    Consultant, Family Medicine

    Dr. Amnah Almazrooei

    Consultant, Family Medicine

  • Dr. Matthew Allum
    Dr. Matthew Allum

    Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist

    Dr. Matthew Allum

    Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist

  • Dr. Mohammed Iqbal
    Dr. Mohammed Iqbal

    Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist

    Dr. Mohammed Iqbal

    Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist

  • Dr. Sara Suliman
    Dr. Sara Suliman

    Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist

    Dr. Sara Suliman

    Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist

Our Services

Healthcare professionals working with one another across all clinical and support services to achieve the best possible results for our patients.