Dr. Michael Mosley, a renowned nutrition expert and creator of the Very Fast 800 and 5:2 plans, has given his support to a low-calorie diet for fast weight loss and potential reversal of type 2 diabetes. This diet, consisting of soups and shakes, has been found to not only help individuals lose weight but also keep diabetes at bay, with patients still in remission three years after following the plan without the need for medication.
The low-calorie diet, first piloted by the NHS in 2023, is projected to be accessible to every patient by March 2024. Dr. Mosley explains that this diet includes the right ingredients to be highly effective and has been shown to result in an average weight loss of 8.9kg at the five-year mark.
It is important to note that Dr. Mosley warns against “liquid only” diets that consist of very low calories and poor nutritional quality. He recommends speaking to a GP before embarking on any rapid weight loss diet or liquid diet.
Dr. Mosley clarifies that the low-calorie diet does not have to be strictly liquid and suggests the Fast 800 diet as an alternative. The Fast 800 is based on real food but can also incorporate meal replacement shakes. With similar weight loss results to the liquid diet, the Fast 800 has been tried by 50,000 individuals with constipation and headaches being the only reported side effects.
A study conducted on the NHS low-calorie diet revealed that participants were able to maintain their weight loss for five years. Led by Professor Roy Taylor of Newcastle University, the research demonstrated that weight loss could have long-lasting benefits and even reverse type 2 diabetes. Losing weight removes the underlying causes of diabetes and allows the body to achieve normal glucose levels.
Participants in the study followed a low-calorie diet of 800-900 kilocalories per day for 12 weeks, replacing their regular meals with soups and shakes. They received ongoing support and monitoring throughout the 12-week period and beyond, helping them reintroduce healthy foods into their diet. This support was provided in collaboration with their local GP practice.
Source: Mirror, Dr. Michael Mosley, Professor Roy Taylor
