Young type 2 diabetes patients achieve remission with intensive lifestyle changes, trial finds
MONTREAL/LEICESTER — A strict routine combining a low-calorie diet with supervised strength and aerobic training helped more than half of younger adults reverse type 2 diabetes within six months, according to a study published in The Lancet Regional Health - Americas.
The RESET for Remission trial found that 54% of participants under age 45 who completed the intensive lifestyle program achieved disease remission, compared to only 4% of participants receiving standard medical care.
Researchers from McGill University in Canada and the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom enrolled 96 adults between the ages of 18 and 45 who were living with obesity and early-onset type 2 diabetes. None of the participants were using insulin.
The intervention group halted their blood sugar and blood pressure medications under medical supervision and began an intensive 800- to 900-calorie daily diet. For the first two weeks, patients consumed only meal-replacement products. From weeks three through 12, they were allowed one structured meal of lean protein and vegetables each day alongside meal replacements, before shifting into a weight maintenance phase for the final 12 weeks.
The program paired calorie restriction with supervised aerobic and resistance training twice weekly, plus one weekly solo workout. After 24 weeks, participants lost an average of 18.5 pounds and significantly boosted their treadmill endurance and overall cardiovascular fitness.
To meet the official standard for remission, patients had to maintain an HbA1c blood sugar level below 6.5% after going at least 12 weeks without any glucose-lowering drugs. After accounting for baseline health factors, researchers concluded that patients on the diet and exercise program were 21 times more likely to achieve remission than those receiving routine care.
Despite the promising outcomes, experts emphasized notable limitations. The trial was small, examining fewer than 100 individuals across medical centers in England and Canada over a relatively short six-month window. Roughly 86% of the intervention group reported mild to moderate side effects, primarily during the early weeks, including headaches, fatigue, dizziness and constipation, though researchers noted that no severe medical complications occurred.
Study authors noted that longer-term trials in real-world settings are still needed to determine whether patients can keep the weight off, preserve their muscle gains and remain medication-free once regular daily routines resume. MRI studies indicated participants' muscle mass did not decrease despite rapid weight loss, and their handgrip strength improved.
Health professionals cautioned that diabetes remission is not a permanent cure, and sustaining an 800-calorie threshold alongside supervised gym routines can present steep hurdles for busy adults outside a clinical setting.
