In Germany, at least 9.1 million people are currently affected by type 2 diabetes – a number that is on the rise. However, for many patients, the diagnosis does not represent an irreversible fate for the rest of their lives. On the contrary, lifestyle changes and nutritional adjustments can promote so called remission of type 2 diabetes.
Remission has gained increasing importance in diabetes research in recent years. It describes a sustained metabolic improvement in type 2 diabetes, characterized by a fasting blood glucose level below 126 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l) or a long-term blood glucose level (HbA1c) of less than 6.5 percent (48 mmol/mol). These values must be maintained for at least three months without the use of glucose-lowering medications and must be monitored at least once a year.
Successful remission through optimized nutrient composition
In this randomized controlled trial, Dr. Bettina Schuppelius and her team investigated which factors influence the success of remission in non-insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes in response to a three-month very low-calorie diet (VLCD) in individuals with overweight and obesity. Participants followed one of two interventions using formula diets, consuming between 600 and 800 kilocalories daily. Existing glucose-lowering medications were discontinued.
“In our study, we were able to achieve a remission rate of 72 percent. Surprisingly, the nutrient composition of the two formula products was found to be crucial for a successful remission in addition to the calorie deficit and the associated weight reduction”, said the 31-year-old nutritional scientist.
A diet high in protein and fiber, with a lower proportion of fat and carbohydrates, proved to be particularly advantageous. Furthermore, in addition to the duration of diabetes, clinical predictors – such as lower fasting blood glucose levels and higher C-peptide levels as a measure of beta-cell insulin production prior to the intervention – influenced the success of type 2 diabetes remission.
New impulses for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
“The award-winning publication impressively demonstrates the potential of medical nutrition interventions for diseases such as type 2 diabetes and opens up new perspectives for both research and practice”, said Dr. Barbara Troesch, who is responsible for the Nutricia Research Award at Nutricia. The goal of the award is to promote medical nutrition as an integral part of modern therapeutic approaches.
Award-winning publication
Schuppelius, B., Lalama, E., Zhang, J., Ruether, K., Csanalosi, M., Kabisch, S., Christ, A., Latz, E., Kraenkel, N., Pivovarova-Ramich, O., Mai, K., Pfeiffer, A. F. H.: Remission of type 2 diabetes depends on time since diagnosis and low-calorie diet composition: Results of a randomized controlled trial in individuals with overweight and obesity. Diabetes Res. Clin. Pract. 233, 113159 (2026). [Open Access]
