Calorie restriction cures diabetes? What study says

istockphoto

(CBS) Have scientists hit upon a simple cure for diabetes? New research shows that calorie restriction goes a long way toward eliminating the health problems that go hand in hand with type 2 diabetes.

PICTURES: 10 deadly myths about diabetes

To test the effect of calorie restriction, Dutch researchers enlisted 15 obese men and women with type 2 diabetes and used MRI scans to check their hearts for fatty deposits that are known to impair cardiac function, according to a written statement released by the Radiological Society of North America. Then they had the volunteers follow a 500-calorie-a-day diet for four months and re-scanned their hearts.

What happened? The volume of pedicardial fat fell significantly - from 39 milliliters to 31 milliliters. At the same time, the so-called "E/A ratio," a common measure of cardiac function, rose from 0.96 to 1.2. And body mass index (BMI), an indicator of body fat, fell from 35.3 to 27.5.

A BMI of 30 or higher indicates obesity, while a BMI of 25 to 29.9 indicates overweight, according to the website of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. The BMI of normal weight people ranges from 18.5 to 24.9.

Perhaps most striking, all of the volunteers were able to discontinue their insulin injections after embarking on calorie restriction, study author Dr Sebastiaan Hammer of the department of radiology at Leiden University Medical Center told Medscape. "It is striking to see how a relatively simple intervention of a very low calorie diet effectively cures type 2 diabetes mellitus," he said in a written statement.

Dr. Hammer - whose research was presented in Chicago at the society's annual meeting - said the benefits of calorie restriction persisted even after the volunteers went back to their usual eating habits and regained weight. "These effects are long-term, illustrating the potential of this method," he said.

But calorie restriction may not be for everyone with diabetes, Dr. Hammer said, adding that  diabetics considering trying it should consult a doctor beforehand.

The CDC estimates that diabetes affects 25.8 million people in the U.S., or roughly 8 percent of the population. The vast majority of cases are type 2 diabetes, the type associated with obesity.

The American Diabetes Association has more on diabetes.

11 Photos

Diabetes: 10 Deadliest Myths

[Neroz1]

I try to reduce my calories but I believe the medication I take has an adverse affect on me. I become shaky, and get the cold sweats and my stomach feels ill.
Two years before I lost 44 lbs. by cutting my food intake during the day but drinking everything I wanted.
I lost the weight in five months. Just on will power because I decided to lose weight. I was doing good and feeling good about myself then on the fifth month I started getting cramps in my legs.

I still cannot figure out how I dehydrated my body and developed the typical symptoms. Going to the bathroom at all hours and not being able to satisfy my thirst. My blood sugar level was 389
Today I keep it well under that in the normal range and average 104 because of what I have learned about Diabetes type 2

I have gained back 20 lbs of what I lost but I have more info now about a better plan. "Go Slow but Steady Plan"
Cut the sweets, more excercise (walking) and keep better track about what goes into my diet.

We all can do it, you just have to try. My motto in following my plan is " This is for my Life" or at least the rest of it
I am 52

Good luck to all of us!

[Lerianis4]

Only if your diabetes is coming from 'extra weight' can this help. Once you are exercising, have lost weight and gotten to 'right weight', etc. and you STILL have diabetes, as in the case of my one friend?

Sorry, diet won't help.

[jt92202]

I have much to say about Diabetes but I will bite my tonge on this artical! Reason I am posting is that I would like the MEDIA to stop titling their stories incorrectly!!! When writing about Type 2 Diabetes why don't you place that in your title!

Calorie restriction cures diabetes? What study says

Should Read:
Calorie restriction cures Type 2 diabetes? What study says

I am tired of the Media giving incorrect information on Diabetes, even if it's in their titles, it's misleading!!!! They are very different and at this point and time there is NO CURE for Type 1 Diabetes!!!

BY THE WAY, it's National Diabetes Month, how many times have you heard about it??? How many times do you hear about Breast Cancer? Both are illnesses you don't want but for some reason Breast Cancer is pushed like candy!! I guess the public (Media) likes Boobs better than Pancreases!!

[thenewday]

All Diabetes is causes by stubborn insulin (Pets included)

1. If you cannot lose weight ot have Type 2 Diabetes it is caused by stubborn insulin (regardless of if you have diabetes)

2. Diets like Weight Watchers do not reverse stubborn insulin

3. When researchers used a Specialized diabetes diet in Holland people reverse stubborn insulin and received a normal blood sugar level. They reversed diabetes with the Specialized Diet

This information is hidden by the drug companies

just google SPIRIT HAPPY DIET

[Lerianis4]

Spirit happy.... mind happy, not! The fact is that people should NOT have to do these OUTRAGEOUS diets in order to 'cure' their diabetes.