Health and diet guru Michael Mosley has backed an NHS rapid weight loss 'soup and shake' plan. The diet has been so successful that it's now being expanded.
A clinical trial has proved that the 800 calories a day soup and shake diet can put people into remission from type 2 diabetes within two years. Researchers also found people were still in remission three years later, meaning they no longer needed to take medication - and had an average weight loss of around 1st 6lb (8.9kg) at the five-year point, reports CoventryLive.
It's now planned to roll out the diet to every part of the country, it's previously only been available in 21 areas of England.
READ MORE: Health guru Dr Michael Mosley issues warning to coffee and wine-drinking dieters
The result from the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT), funded by Diabetes UK, found that patients with type 2 diabetes can go into remission if they follow an intensive weight-loss plan. It also found if people stuck to the 800-calorie-a-day diet for three months, then kept the weight off, were free from symptoms five years later and no longer needed medication.
Michael Mosley, who founded the 5:2 diet and Very Fast 800, has spoken about the diet previously. He said: “There are lots of really good ones [liquid diets] out there,” and spoke about the Shake and Soup diet.
“It’s about 800-900 calories, more calories, more protein, all the right ingredients in it and it seems to be very effective. As for weight loss results, it was compared “to a standard diet [and] the people who were on the rapid weight loss diet, they lost more weight, about 1.5st (10kg), but they also had less side effects than the group who went on the standard diet”.
Mr Mosley urged people to speak to a doctor before embarking on a rapid weight loss diet or liquid diet. He also suggested an alternative to liquid diets for anyone looking to lose a considerable amount of weight. “The thing I want to say it doesn’t just have to be a liquid diet; a few years a go with Professor Roy Taylor’s blessing I created something call the Fast 800, a rapid weight loss diet,” Mosley said.
“This is based on real food but you can also use meal replacement shakes. We got similar results, 50,000 people have done it, the only side effects we’re aware of are constipation and headaches.”
One person who benefited from joining the NHS’s programme is Ingo from Windsor. She said: “I recently went for my annual check and I was ecstatic with the results. Since my initial diagnosis, I have lost 47kg and am now 92kg, I have lost 27cm from my waist and I have reduced my HbA1c by nearly 30mmol/mol to 36mmol/mol.
"I have lost one-third of my body weight and I now have a good relationship with myself and food. I don’t feel guilty if I have a treat, but I am always mindful about what I do eat. It has been an enormous change for me – and I have bought a whole new wardrobe of clothes.”
Professor Jonathan Valabhji, NHS National Clinical Director for Diabetes and Obesity said: “Research is clear that weight loss where indicated goes a long way to helping people stay well and avoiding preventable illness, and in many cases it can be the trigger for putting type 2 diabetes into remission.
“So I am delighted that thousands more people are making use of this programme with thousands more set to benefit across England in the coming year.
“This programme is also the latest example of the NHS effectively deploying evidence-based treatments to help people with type 2 diabetes live well. Obesity is a significant factor and cause of several serious diseases, so the NHS is always here to help people to lose weight when necessary, and live healthier lives.”
The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme is a nationally available 12-week online behavioural and lifestyle programme accessed via a smartphone or computer with internet access. It can be accessed following a referral from Primary Care or Community Pharmacy.
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