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A woman testing her blood sugar at home. Steve Yeater/AP/Press Association Images

Low-cal diet can 'defeat diabetes'

A short-term clinical trial funded by Diabetes UK showed that diabetes “can be reversed” using a low-calorie diet.

TYPE 2 DIABETES can be beaten by adhering to a strict low-calorie diet, a new study has shown.

Research funded by Diabetes UK and carried out by a team from Newcastle University made the discovery during an early-stage clinical trial of 11 people.

Type 2 Diabetes is a lifelong disease that is the most common form of diabetes.

People with diabetes have insulin resistance, meaning their body does not respond correctly to insulin and abnormally high levels of sugar can build up in the blood.

During the clinical trial, the diabetes patients cut their food intake to just 600 calories a day for two months.

Three months later, seven of them remained free of diabetes.

The study was led by Professor Roy Taylor of Newcastle Unversity, who said that the result is “remarkable” and that it shows “a radical change in understanding Type 2 diabetes”.

The diet consisted of liquid diet drinks and non-starchy vegetables.

The group of 11 people was matched with a control group of people without diabetes.

Al of them were monitored over the eight weeks, which included checking their insulin production and fat content in the liver and pancreas.

After one week, the participants’ pre-breakfast blood glucose levels had returned to normal, while fat levels in the pancreas had gone from an elevated level of 8 per cent to a normal level of 6 per cent.

This meant that the pancreas regained the normal ability to make insulin, so blood glucose levels after meals improved.

Following the trial, the volunteers returned to eating normally – but received advice on portion size and healthy eating.

Dr Iain Frame, Director of Research at Diabetes UK, said that the research shows diabetes can be reversed, but that it is “not an easy fix” and that it “should only be undertaken under medical supervision”.

Diabetes UK includes information on managing your weight if you have diabetes on its website>

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    Mute Jarlath Murphy
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 9:09 PM

    Great group of guys, real heros.

    Give up their time and use their own bikes and insurance and out 24/7 in all weathers!

    If only we had TDs and Senators with this commitment!

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    Mute dstaffx
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 10:18 PM

    @Jarlath Murphy: No they don’t. Group bikes. But great guys alright

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    Mute Jarlath Murphy
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 10:28 PM

    @dstaffx: When they started out they did and when they need an extra bike they will use it!

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    Mute Vincent Knight
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 10:33 PM

    Don’t know where you’re getting your facts from but all groups have their own bikes, always have.

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    Mute Fergus Lennon
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 10:58 PM

    @Jarlath Murphy: Never used their own bikes always Charity bikes used

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    Mute Elizabeth Gregory
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    Dec 24th 2017, 2:16 AM

    @Jarlath Murphy: there’s a few girls doing it too! I’ve nothing but admiration and respect for each and every one of you. Truly making a difference :)

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    Mute Mark Walsh
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 9:12 PM

    These Lads are truly gentlemen ‘ goes to show you that there’s decent people out there after all
    Well done Lads & Thanks

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    Mute Siobhán Ni Mhurchú
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 9:43 PM

    Respect !

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    Mute Dan
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 9:28 PM

    Used to do this 25 years ago in London.. would love to get involved again .. hives you great satisfaction….

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    Mute dstaffx
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 10:19 PM

    @Dan: what’s stopping you, we’re all over the country. Find your local group.

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    Mute Vincent Knight
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 10:30 PM

    Galway, first ever group, info@bloodbikewest.ie , if you’re in limerick look up Bloodbike Midwest, south look up Bloodbike south, Leinster, look up Bloodbike Leinster. East as above.
    We are always looking for riders, controllers, fundraisers and event co-ordinations.

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    Mute Vincent Knight
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 11:02 PM

    Oops forgot Bloodbike northwest, based in Donegal, and Bloodbike Dublin

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    Mute Dan
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 11:13 PM

    @dstaffx: your so right …. will follow up…

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    Mute Vincent Knight
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 10:27 PM

    We in Bloodbike west are also on 24hr cover from now till the 2nd January.

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    Mute dstaffx
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 10:59 PM

    @Vincent Knight: fair play Vincent

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    Mute Fergus Lennon
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 11:00 PM

    Blood Bike Leinster are also on 24hr cover all over the Christmas and New Year.

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    Mute Fergus Lennon
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 11:08 PM

    Why not visit our page we are always looking for riders, drivers in our Kildare and Mullingar depot, if you think you are interested why not email us at info@bloodbikes.ie

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    Mute Karl
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    Dec 24th 2017, 10:39 AM

    Aren’t bloodbikes east the one with an ambulance for since odd reason and drivers using blue lights?

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    Mute Karl
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    Dec 24th 2017, 10:42 AM

    @Karl: yes, I can see it in the video. Bloodbikes are not allowed have or use blue lights and Google will show that they are unpopular because their behaviour makes the genuine riders look like clowns.

    Don’t shoot the messenger but these guys are not the heroes of the bloodbike groups, they are the cowboys

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