3 days Ago By [email protected] (Elaine Blackburne)
The NHS Soup and Shake diet has been hailed a massive success helping people both lose weight and reverse their diabetes. Under the plan, which health and fitness expert Dr Michael Mosley backed, people switch their regular meals for a selection of shakes and soups consuming 800 calories a day. They are then given support and monitoring for the next 12 months to reintroduce foods to their diets, either in person or online.
NHS chiefs have described the results as "transformative" after one study showed that of those completing the free course 32% reversed their diabetes and had an average weight loss of 16kg. Obesity is a major cause of type 2 diabetes. Research has shown obese people are up to 80 times more likely to develop the condition than those with a healthy body mass index (BMI) of less than 22.
The study, published in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, showed that between September 2020 and the end of 2022 7,540 people were referred to the NHS England Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission programme. Of those, 1,740 participants started the ‘soups and shakes’ diet before January 2022, and 945 completed the year-long programme, according to Diabetes UK . The results showed that, of those who completed the programme, 32% (one in three) put their type 2 diabetes into remission .
They also had an average weight loss of 16kg, (around two and a half stones). So with the trial's success in shedding pounds, the NHS has committed to rolling out the initiative across the country. It says: "This shows that remission of type 2 diabetes is possible at scale through delivery of an NHS service.
" The diet was backed by weight loss expert Dr Michael Mosley, who died earlier this year. The author and broadcaster, who created The Fast 800, 5:2, The Way of Life and The Fast 800 Keto diet plans and who hosted the Just One Thing podcast, praised the diet saying: “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”. However he 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.
He said: “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. "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 is constipation and headaches.” But who qualifies for the free to access NHS diet and how do you get it? Here is all you need to know. The soup and shake diet provides a low-calorie, total diet replacement treatment for people who are living with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight, says the NHS.
Eligible participants will be offered low calorie, total diet replacement products including soups and shakes consisting of 800 to 900 kilocalories a day for 12 weeks. During this time, participants will replace all normal meals with these products. Alongside this, participants will receive support and monitoring for 12 months including help to re-introduce food after the initial 12-week period.
This support will provide participants with the help and advice they need throughout every stage of the programme. Participants will have the choice to receive this support from a coach in-person or digitally. The programme is fully funded by the NHS, therefore there is no cost to participants.
Those taking part will also be closely supported by their local GP practice – for example, if medicines need to be changed. The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme will not be suitable for everyone and there are some eligibility requirements that people must meet to be involved. These include that individuals must: be aged 18 – 65 years, have a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes within the last 6 years, and have a BMI over 27 kg/m2 (where individuals are from White ethnic groups) or over 25 kg/m2 (where individuals are from Black, Asian and other ethnic groups) Individuals who are interested in joining the programme can discuss their individual circumstances with their GP or diabetes team at their next appointment to find out whether it is suitable for them.
People who are not eligible for the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme should discuss their individual circumstances and services that are available to them locally with their GP or diabetes team at their next appointment. Adults living with obesity who also have a diagnosis of diabetes or hypertension or both may be eligible for the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme . This is a nationally available 12-week online behavioural and lifestyle programme accessed via a smartphone or computer with internet access, following a referral from primary care or community pharmacy.
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