The Use of Very Low Calorie Diets in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

It was believed that Type 2 diabetes (DM2) was a progressive condition, with gradual decrease in beta-cell function. Data from the United Kingdom Prospective Study indicate that approximately only 50% beta-cell function remains at the time of diagnosis which decreases to 30% within 6 years. 1 This reduction in betacell function is associated with treatment intensification including additional oral hypoglycaemic agents and ultimately insulin. 1 Due to the decrease in beta-cell function, the first phase insulin response (insulin secretion within the first 10 minutes after eating) is believed to be permanently lost in people with Type 2 diabetes. 2,3 Lim et al. (2011) challenged this view when the first phase insulin secretion normalised following a very low calorie diet (VLCD) (less than 600 kcal) for 8 weeks. 4 Subsequently, glycaemic control normalized and DM2 was in remission. It is not surprising that this study led researchers to question if DM2 could be reversed 3 and sparked mass interest in these diets from people living with DM2. 5