Can people with diabetes achieve remission and stop taking medications by following a specific diet for three months?
### Can a Specific Diet Help Diabetes Remission?
A small study from China has shown promising results for people with type 2 diabetes. Participants followed a diet called the Chinese Medical Nutrition Therapy (CMNT) diet, which is a form of intermittent fasting. This diet involves five days of calorie restriction followed by ten days of normal eating, repeated over three months.
**Key Findings:**
- Nearly half of the participants achieved diabetes remission, meaning their blood sugar levels were controlled without the need for medication.
- These individuals maintained their remission for at least one year.
- Participants lost close to 10% of their body weight during the study.
**Diet Details:**
- On fasting days, participants consumed about 840 calories, consisting of 46% carbs, 46% fat, and 8% protein.
- Foods included wheat, barley, rice, rye, and oat.
- Meals were eaten at regular intervals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
**Limitations:**
- The study was small, with only 36 people in the intervention group.
- Most participants had mild to moderate diabetes and were not representative of the broader diabetic population.
**Conclusion:**
While the results are impressive, more research is needed to see if these findings can be replicated on a larger scale. However, this study suggests that diet and weight loss can play a significant role in managing type 2 diabetes.