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In 2011, researchers from Newcastle University found that a very low calorie diet could reverse type 2 diabetes. The diet, commonly known as the “Newcastle diet”, involves eating no more than 600 calories a day.
Over on the forum, the Newcastle diet is always a popular topic. Insightful and lively debates bubble along so quickly it’s hard to keep up with them all.
Today, we’d like to tell you everything you need to know about the Newcastle diet (and probably a bit extra).
First, a bit of background: Professor Roy Taylor, now the Director of Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre, hypothesised that type 2 diabetes was not incurable.
Taylor gathered 11 participants, all of whom followed the low-calorie diet. After the 8 week study, the participants were given healthy eating advice then sent on their way. Seven of the subjects had non-diabetic blood glucose levels. The others very nearly did.
Clearly, type 2 diabetes could be reversed, contrary to what was commonly believed. You can also read the full study here.
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The Newcastle diet is a popular among people with type 2 diabetes trying to lose weight. As brettsza says on one of the many forum threads on the subject:
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The Newcastle diet: how do I start? Speak to your doctor if you’re thinking of the Newcastle diet.
The main rule of the Newcastle diet is the calorie limit: no more than 600 a day. Within that limit, there’s a degree of flexibility.
Most people, however, like to stick to meal replacement shakes and non-starchy vegetables to get plenty of nutrition with a small amount of calories. Water’s important, too – at least three litres, for the hungry feelings.
People who follow the Newcastle diet will try to avoid just about every other food. Fish, meat, bread, pasta, dairy, fruit – none of them are recommended.
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The Newcastle diet is not a cure-all.
For all its promise, Taylor’s study was small and preliminary. The findings could not be considered conclusive.
It’s best not to get carried away: the Newcastle diet only works in combination with a long-term plan. Don’t start on it unless you have some idea how you’re going to maintain a healthy lifestyle after the eight weeks.
A low-carb diet is advisable for many people with type 2 diabetes.
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The notion of reversing type 2 diabetes has become more popular in the years since professor Taylor’s study. Last year saw the publication of David Cavan’s Reverse Your Diabetes: The Step-by-Step Plan to Take Control of Type 2 Diabetes, published in association with Diabetes.co.uk.
Like Taylor, Cavan argues that with the right approach type 2 diabetes can be reversed. He argues for the importance of exercise, low-carb dieting, and mutually respectful doctor-patient relationships as a basis of type 2 diabetes treatment.
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Interested by the Newcastle diet? Not convinced? Full of questions? We’d like to know. Join the discussion on the forum.
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