Twenty-five individuals aged 20to 69 years with Type 2 diabetes diagnosed within the past six years, not on insulin, and body mass index (BMI) > 27kg.m-2 were recruited. Hypoglycaemic medication was stopped on commencement of the eight-week liquid (760calorie) diet, during which participants were assessed weekly. Findings from the liquid diet phase and the following three months are presented.
RESULTS:
The study participants comprised 10 men and 15women (mean age 48 years, range 2668 years). Mean(SD, range) BMI was 34.2 kg.m-2 (6.0, 27.052.8) and fastingplasmaglucose (FPG) was 9.2 mmol.l-1 (2.2, 6.714.6). Over the eight-week intervention, mean weight loss was 10.1 kg (4.7, 1.520.8) and waist circumference loss10.9 cm (4.0, 5.120.8). Fastingplasmaglucose fell by 2.2mmol.l-1 (range 1.57.9). At eight weeks, FPG was < 7mmol.l-1, the diagnostic cut point for diabetes, in 15 participants compared to three at baseline (p = 0.004). At three months post liquid diet, 17 had FPG < 7 mmol.l-1 (still off medication).
CONCLUSION:
There was substantial weight loss and fall inFPG in the majority of participants, sustained at three months follow-up. Data on changes in pancreatic function are being analysed. These findings will inform a larger, pragmatic, multi-centre Caribbean trial.