The NHS England Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission programme, which revolves around a strict 900-calorie-a-day ‘Soups and Shakes’ diet, can help diabetes patients go into remission a new study has suggested.

The year-long NHS programme helps people kick-start their weight loss journey by advising a strict low-calorie diet of meal-replacement soups, shakes and bars for the first 12 weeks, before reintroducing healthy solid foods gradually.

According to a new study published in the journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology [https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(24)00194-3/fulltext], one third of participants with type 2 diabetes who completed the programme put their type 2 diabetes in remission. NHS England has stated that the paper shows that its “type 2 diabetes path to remission programme” could benefit “thousands” of people with the condition.

The study examined data on 7,540 people who were referred to the programme during the period between September 2020 and the end of 2022. Of those, 1,740 participants started the ‘soups and shakes’ diet before January 2022, and 945 completed the year-long programme. Having provided blood samples, the results showed that 32% put their type 2 diabetes into remission and had an average weight loss of 16kg.

Dr Clare Hambling, NHS England’s national clinical director for diabetes and obesity, said: “The NHS type 2 diabetes path to remission programme can have a huge impact on the lives of participants, and it’s brilliant that these findings show a large number of those who completed it have seen life-changing benefits including major weight loss and type 2 diabetes remission.”

Commenting on the study, Dr Elizabeth Robertson, Director of Research at Diabetes UK, said: “These latest findings add to the real-world evidence that the NHS England type 2 diabetes path to remission programme can help thousands of people living with type 2 diabetes on their weight loss and remission journey, which we know is tough and having support is critical.

“We hope to see even more people benefiting in years to come and an increase in referrals to the programme especially for people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and in younger people where the impact of type 2 diabetes and remission from it is greatest.”

The programme, is fully funded by the NHS, so there is no cost for the individual. They get bespoke diet and exercise advice sessions in person or online, as well as support from their GP.

Earlier this year, the NHS announced they would be expanding the programme to over 10,000 more people living with type 2 diabetes and excess weight or obesity in England, with Health chiefs investing £13 million this in 2024 to support the programme’s expansion. This expansion will double the capacity of the programme, which will become available in 42 local health areas – up from 21 in 2023.

Following this announcement Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive, stated: “The expansion of this transformative programme is another example of the NHS leading the way internationally, by providing evidence-based treatments and support to help give people with type 2 diabetes more control over their health.

“Developing type 2 diabetes can have a devastating impact for so many people and their families, and this NHS programme can be truly life-changing in helping reverse the effects of the condition,

reducing their risks of significant health complications and supporting them to stay well for the long-term.

“I’m delighted that thousands of people have already accessed this support on the NHS to improve their health and that many thousands more are now set to benefit this year as we roll it out to every area of England.”

Diabetes UK praises the achievement on their website [https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-us/news-and-views/nhs-soup-and-shake-diet-to-help-people-with-type-2-into-remission], stating: “We’re delighted to see the results from this programme, which has been offered to 25,000 people since it was first piloted by the NHS in 2020, and will be available to over 10,000 more people living with type 2 diabetes in England this year to help them go into remission.”

 

Who is eligible?

To be referred, people need to fit a set of criteria, which includes:

· Aged 18 to 65 years

· Have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the last six years.

· Have a BMI of 27kg/m² or over if they are White, or 25kg/m² if you’re from an ethnic minority group

· Have had an HbA1c measurement taken within the last 12 months and the results were 43-87 mmol/mol, if on diabetes medication, or 48-87 mmol/mol, if not on diabetes medication.

 

You can find more information about the programme here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/diabetes/treatment-care/diabetes-remission/