Weight loss aids type 2 remission

A man who was “taken by surprise” at his type 2 diabetes diagnosis is now in remission after following a weight loss plan.

Anupam Sharad, 37, was told he had developed the condition during a routine GP appointment and his weight of 18 stone was a contributing factor which he needed to address.

The telecommunications manager from Ealing said: “When I was in my 30s, my weight seemed to creep up on me and I didn’t notice a thing. I felt very tired throughout the day and I struggled with normal day to day activities.

“On public transport I always felt sleepy, especially in the mornings when the average person feels the most energised.  Soon, doing the things I loved like badminton and cricket became very hard to manage. I was in no way fit enough to do any form of exercise so my health took a massive nose dive.

“When my GP told me I had developed type 2 diabetes I knew that I needed to do something about my weight.”

He embarked upon a very low calorie diet (VLCD) following the LighterLife programme, which is combines nutritious plans with counselling techniques, which help people change their attitudes towards food.

LighterLife researchers believe the group taking therapies and diet plans have helped over 350,000 people lose weight.

Anupam said within four weeks he had managed to shift a stone in weight and was told by his doctor that his diabetes was in remission.

As part of the plan he swapped conventional food for four LighterLife meals, shakes, bars and soups.

The diet was  paired with a unique behaviour-change programme including transactional analysis (TA) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which was delivered through weekly counselling groups.

These group sessions helped him to understand why he was overeating and helped him discover the tools he needed to keep the weight off long-term.

LighterLife medical director Dr Matt Capehorn, who also runs RIO which is an NHS centre for the management of weight problems, said:  “We know that the soaring rate of type 2 diabetes is being fuelled by the obesity crisis and losing weight can help save lives.

“Recent and detailed analysis of our research shows that losing weight using a VLCD (Very-Low-Calorie-Diet) such as our LighterLife Total plan can help diabetics achieve double the weight loss compared to other weight loss programmes, and play an important part in the reversal of type 2 diabetes.

“Furthermore, individuals battling type 2 diabetes often choose LighterLife in order to lose some initial weight and qualify for weight-loss surgery, or do so well on it they use it as an alternative to this type of surgery.”

LighterLife said its latest research was presented at the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) 2015.

One of its studies analysed all the VLCDs and MRPs (Meal Replacement Products) available in the UK, and it believes that there are no other products which meet all relevant rules and regulations.  LighterLife is the only company which does meet every regulation.

The increase in type 2 diabetes mirrors a rise in obesity with around 90 per cent of those diagnosed deemed overweight.

Studies also show people battling the condition find it twice as hard to lose weight. However, even a relatively small amount of weight loss can prevent the onset of diabetes, or help people manage their symptoms.

“Furthermore, individuals battling Type 2 diabetes often choose LighterLife in order to lose some initial weight and qualify for weight-loss surgery, or do so well on it they use it as an alternative to this type of surgery.”