• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

'Newcastle diet' advice

K

kimyeomans

Active Member
Messages
32
Location
Cambridgeshire UK
Dislikes
arrogance and pomposity
Hi
I recently started on my version of the Newcastle diet. I say my version as I swapped Optifast meals for Exante as Optifast were not easily available.
1 week in and mixed experiences
BS down from 10.4 to 7.8 but in the week all over the place, some higher then I had for some time, up to 11+. And lots of the symptoms from original diagnosis, 'cold eyes' blurry vision, crinkly tingly fingers and frequent urination?
Weight down by 8lb to 14st 13lb, lowest since diagnosis.
BP down 145/90 to 119/88
So far so good. Not hungry at all, fancied some meat or a beer from time to time but easy to resist. Mind set ok.

Any tips or advice welcome

regards
Kim
 
Miss90 said:
What does the diet involve? Never heard of it!


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Click to expand...
There are many threads about the Newcastle diet by members who've done it - you can search at the top of page.

There is a video that was posted elsewhere on the forum - a lecture by Professor Taylor about the diet:
http://www.fend-lectures.org/index.php?menu=view&id=94

Plus a couple an article with all the relevant links about it by the University:

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/reversal.htm

The one thing not mentioned in the diet sheet at this link is the advice given at the Optifast web site that people on the diet should have 1 tsp of olive oil with their vegetable allowance each day to avoid gallstones - some oil/fat is required to keep the bile secretion operating correctly.
 
Hi
2 weeks completed
BS 6.8
wt 14st 8 lb (lost 13lb)
BP 119 / 80
All good, covered a few milestones without wilting... Last Tuesday was away with work in Belgium, in Gent one of my favourite cities in Europe. Normally I would have a few Belgian beers and a nice meal with my colleagues out there sat by the canal in the middle. This time I stuck to my water and green salad (had my diet soup in the hotel room) whilst they tucked in and downed a few. Still if this works my turn will come.. in moderation of course!
Felt very light headed playing golf, and a bit weak in the gym, symptoms normal?

regards
Kim
 
I have done this diet for 12 weeks. I have lost 37 lbs - still 22 to go. Weight loss slows as time progresses. Fasting blood sugar readings down from average of 7.5 to between 5.1-5.7. Often between 4.5-5.5 during the day.
Trigs down from 3.4 to 1.9. Cholesterol down from 6.5 to 4.5. Doctor stopped statins after 2 months. No drugs at all now.
You can eat vegetables as long as they are not starchy and salads. I found lots of interesting ways to cook the vegetables, using the oil allowed. I was and remain determined! Remember to drink water, or tea/fruit teas to keep hydrated.
 
Hi paulins
I missed your post, thanks, really encouraging. 37lbs is fantastic, 22 to go, what did you start at? Your results look really good, I don't seem to be getting my BS down as fast as I would like.
End of week 4 last Mon,
weight 14st 1lb lost 1st 6lb
BS 6.4 same as wk before?
BP 112 / 80
Still taking 4 metformin, losartan for BP and precautionary aspirin.
Still going good but a bit disappointed BS not down more. I still have fat around abdomen, seem to be losing it everywhere but around my organs! ie pancreas and liver area, is it normal for BS to stay up until the end of the 8 weeks?

Kim
 
The far
kimyeomans said:
Hi paulins
I missed your post, thanks, really encouraging. 37lbs is fantastic, 22 to go, what did you start at? Your results look really good, I don't seem to be getting my BS down as fast as I would like.
End of week 4 last Mon,
weight 14st 1lb lost 1st 6lb
BS 6.4 same as wk before?
BP 112 / 80
Still taking 4 metformin, losartan for BP and precautionary aspirin.
Still going good but a bit disappointed BS not down more. I still have fat around abdomen, seem to be losing it everywhere but around my organs! ie pancreas and liver area, is it normal for BS to stay up until the end of the 8 weeks?

Kim
Click to expand...

Keep going. Now in week 14 and lost 43 lbs. Don't worry about the fact that the fat isn't moving from abdomen as yet - it always goes last from there! I really began to notice a difference in BS levels especially fasting levels after about 10 weeks. Apparently we need to lose one sixth of our body weight before levels really begin to fall. I was 17st 7lbs when I started so still some way to go. I never cheat though - the only thing I have that is not on the list is milk in the occasional coffee/tea. Keep going - I'm sure it is worth it even if we don't manage to reverse the diabetes. It can only improve our overall health.
What I worry about is that I get weight and BS levels down but that the levels shoot up again as soon as I begin eating more normally. But I intend to eat incredibly healthily which I did not do before so will hopefully keep weight off and levels down. I am following Andrew Colvin as he is slightly ahead of me, started at the same weight, and has lost 3-4 lbs more than me. His levels are great!
Good luck Kim.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi Paul
Thanks, your experience helps. I was hoping for more rapid drop in BS and to be able to quit the regime at 8 wks. Now I will have more patience. I am happy with eating sensibly and healthily normally, for me it was not food that did the weight damage but beer! I love a pint or 2. In the future this will be limited frequency and quantity, this regime has shown me I don't need it easily. I travel with work quite a bit and used the excuse to consume more than I should. Last night I was in Sweden and was quite happy with a salad and water in the restaurant while my colleagues had the usual steaks beer and wine!
I know we will be more healthy than before, and I am feeling the benefit and enjoying that, but I will be gutted it the FB is not reversed. It is my primary motivation, although I know it is not guaranteed.
Thanks again for the support
Kim


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Excellent effort keep it up. :D

I managed to get the fat to go from my abdomen very rapidly with my calorie restricted diet really fast by doing 30 mins of gentle jogging on the spot/round the room in the morning before breakfast. This forced the liver to use up it stores.

Do you both intend to continue losing at the same weight until you reach your targets or slow down and get there more gradually (this is what I did from about 18% weight loss) I am now 22% down and in one more pound no longer obese (still 2 stone to go though)

Please keep us informed or your continued progress and hope the new clothes bill becomes too high :wacky:
 
FIRST fasting level this morning in the 4s! 4.8. How exciting! Have had 4s during the day but never in the morning.
 
Hi Andrew,
I reckon I have 5 lb to lose before I move from obese to overweight, then about two stones to move to healthy weight for my height (5'7'). The chart says that 11st 5 lb is the best weight for me, but I want to get back to my 20s and 30s weight of around 10st. So, I will keep dieting until I reach that level. Will let you know how it is going.
 
paulins said:
Hi Andrew,
I reckon I have 5 lb to lose before I move from obese to overweight, then about two stones to move to healthy weight for my height (5'7'). The chart says that 11st 5 lb is the best weight for me, but I want to get back to my 20s and 30s weight of around 10st. So, I will keep dieting until I reach that level. Will let you know how it is going.
Click to expand...
Pauline,
With yiu all,the way on this one. I pass that hurdle only last week. What a joy to be overweight ! Never thought I'd ever say that but just so much better than having to say that I am obese. We are all on this journey together on our own individual path. Let us support each other and rejoice when these goals are reached.



Late onset T1, several auto immune issues.
Humalogmix25 twice a day, Methotrexate 25mg once per week, FolicAcid 5mg once per week, prednisolone 5mg daily, Allopurinol 300mg, Calcichew-D3 800iu, Levothyroxine 50mcg, Atenolol 50mg, Losarten 100mg, Aspirin 75mg, Nicorandil 20mg, Nitrolingual GTN spray, Metformin 2000mg, Allimemazine 10mg, Lanzoprazole 30mg, Atorvastatin 20mg, Co Codamol 8/500mg, Depo Medrone (Methylprednisolone) or double Prednisolone for 7 days in case of RA flare.
 
Read your views and some are good. But you are all talking about losing weight. If that is the case I would be standing sideways and you would miss me. I do not need to lose weight. Just need to be in control. so maybe this diet would not be suitable for me. I will look into it though,
many thanks Anne
 
The point of the diet is to lose weight quite quickly and dramatically in a way that someone with bariatric surgery loses it. The research shows that this can reverse Type 2 diabetes. So, we are trying to do this, but also hoping that if it does not actually reverse, we might go into remission. And if we don't achieve reversal or remission, then we will be healthier and BS levels much lower. It all takes lots of willpower and control which is also good for all diabetics. But of course it may not be for you - and I do hope you find what you are looking for to get control.
 
Also the diet is strictly speaking about reducing liver fat rather than total body fat or total body weight. Which means that some lean people with T2D can benefit from the diet without massive changes to their BMI.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
It strikes me that this Newcastle diet could be harmful to some people and should only be undertaken with the approval of one's doctor.

The main objective is to lose weight, but there is no magic in 800kcal per day diet over an 8 week period. A diet of 1500kcal per day over 6 months will be as effective if not more so.

I quote from the Newcastle University's own website. The link is given above by Indy51

" The particular diet used in the study was designed to mimic the sudden reduction of calorie intake that occurs after gastric bypass surgery. By using such a vigorous approach, we were testing whether we could reverse diabetes in a similar short time period to that observed after surgery.
 The essential point is that substantial weight loss must be achieved. The time course of weight loss is much less important.
 It is a simple fact that the fat stored in the wrong parts of the body (inside the liver and pancreas) is used up first when the body has to rely upon its own stores of fat to burn. Any pattern of eating which brings about substantial weight loss over a period of time will be effective. Different approaches suit different individuals best.

 It is also very important to emphasise that sustainability of weight loss is the most important thing to ensure that diabetes stays away after the initial weight loss. Previous research has shown that steady weight loss over a 5 – 6 month period is more likely to be successful in keeping weight down in the long term. For this reason, ordinary steady weight loss may be preferable. However, if you are not able to lose around 21⁄2 stone over, say, six months by this approach, then the very
low calorie diet may be best for you.

The standard approach would involve:
a) Decreasing total food (and alcohol) intake by about one half
b) Using smaller plates
c) Eating more slowly
d) Recognising that the sensation of hunger is sign of success, not a signal to eat e) Enjoy that hunger.
Celebrate with a glass of water; maybe fizzy water

However, if you find this difficult, the liquid meal approach could be used."


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I can concur Syd as I have not followed the newcastle diet but reduced my intake and upped my exercise (well just getting up from the computer screen did that) and have lost lots and have achieved the same results
 
I think the different views are all valid, the end result needs to be a reduction of fat in the liver and pancreas, fast or slow. For me I found the long slow method too arduous, doesn't suit my attitude to stuff. I don't do moderation well. I lost a stone over several weeks just eating and drinking sensibly, 16st 4lb at diagnosis to 15st 4lb then it all slowed up and I became complacent. Content with my meds and situation. But I was / am still diabetic and face a slow decline. This was reinforced at this years review, up to 8.4 and discussions about going on gliclazide or some such. Having read about the 'Newcastle' studies some time ago I finally kicked myself in to giving it a go and putting aside all those excuses, after the weekend, after so and so's birthday, after Easter etc etc.
So I am 5 weeks in using the Exante packs 600 cals a day + veg. I had 2 evenings 'off' 1 for my birthday and 1 other. Off meaning I ate some meat and veg instead of the soup, with a glass or 2 of wine and a couple of beers.
Weight - I broke 14st today, 13 13 so lost a stone and a half which is only about 10% of my body weight. What % you need to lose surely depends what you start from, like south711 said?
BS are consistently 6.4 to 6.8 fasted. I expect, hope this to come down when I get rid of more liver / pancreas / abdominal fat. In my case this seems to be the last to go?
The fast way works for me, I see results and (hopefully) and 'end' point to the severe stuff. I know there is a risk that you just slide back, but this time I am enjoying not being so fat that I don't want to go there again. I feel like I did when I finally gave up smoking, elated and alive! I am enjoying getting rid fast. The treats when I reach a satisfactory point will taste good, but I will maintain fasting days to balance things up. I didn't mention exercise but for me this is important, anything from a good walk (golf really drops me) to a bike or swim feels good.
I don't know for sure it will work but I don't want to be a diabetic any more..
 
Back
Top