Michael Mosley's diet 'works better than medication for some diabetes patients'

24 June 2024 , 00:50

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A diet pioneered by the late Dr Michael Mosley could be 'more effective than medication for some diabetes patients' a study has found. (Image: PA)

Dr Michael Mosley's diet could be a game-changer for Type 2 diabetes sufferers, after it outperformed medication in symptom control, during a new study into the management of the condition. The late Dr Mosley, who passed away while vacationing in Greece earlier this month, was the brains behind the 5:2 intermittent fasting regime.

The ground-breaking diet revolves around the concept of intermittent fasting, and involves eating normally for five days with no food restrictions and then cutting back to a far more frugal 500-600 calories for two non-consecutive days. The theory behind the diet is that after a day with limited calories, the body switches from the ready supply of energy from food to burning its fat stores.

As the diet doesn't utilise any strict rules on foods to be avoided, or complicated calculations to work out what you can and can't eat, the 5:2 diet quickly garnered millions of fans around the world and boasts a number of health benefits.

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Scientists recently studied the diet as part of a trial with overweight and diabetic adults, and discovered that the diet not only lowers blood sugar levels but also accelerates weight loss - even surpassing common diabetes medications in effectiveness, reports Gloucestershire Live.

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The Beijing Hospital, where the study was conducted, engaged over 400 participants and patients were either prescribed diabetic drugs metformin or empagliflozin, or they followed the 5:2 diet. After 16 weeks, those on the 5:2 diet showcased superior blood glucose control and shed more pounds averaging around 9.7kg (21lbs 6oz), nearly double the weight loss of those on medication!

However, despite the promising trial results, some experts have urged caution in taking the results as gospel, with one Glasgow based doctor expressing his apprehension over the findings.

Speaking to MailOnline, Naveed Sattar, Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine at the University of Glasgow, commented: "Weight excess is the key driver for diabetes and thus weight loss improves glucose levels meaningfully. The issue is whether such changes and the 5:2 diets are sustainable, especially as the trial was rather short term...with greater than expected weight losses in all three arms."

For further help and support in managing weight loss or your diabetes, visit the NHS website or contact your GP.

Phoebe Tonks