Professor Roy Taylor is Professor of Medicine and Metabolism at the University of Newcastle. His DIRECT study has recieved a lot of publicity due to it showing in 2017 that people could reverse their Type 2 Diabetes through the use of a calorie restricted diet. The diet they used in the study involved the use of meal replacement shakes.
For more information on the trial you can visit their website here. The trial was funded by Diabetes UK and they have a website which explains the results.
On medication for Diabetes (apart from Metformin)?
You should check with your doctor or nurse before making a significant change to your diet.
On medication for high blood pressure?
There is a risk of low blood pressure with a low calorie/shake diet. You should seek advice before starting.
You can read more about his approach taken in the DIRECT trial in his book which is available here.
You can find a list of the meal replacement shakes suggested by Professor Taylor at this link.
Dr Michael Mosley has produced a book advising the use of low calorie diets as a way of treating and potentially reversing Type 2 Diabetes. He advocates the use of low calorie meals rather than shakes. You can find his book on Amazon here. He also has a website here.
In these videos Professor Taylor explains his approach.
West Hampshire Community Diabetes Team - Supporting Shake Diets
If you have a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes then the Community Diabetes team may be able to support you in undertaking this diet. Discuss with your practice diabetes nurse for more information.
Is there another way?
Meal replacement shakes are not for everyone. Have you considered trying a lower carbohydrate approach instead? Some people do two shakes a day and a low carb meal and then gradually replace shakes with more low carb meals as they get to their target weight. Check out our pages on the low carb approach for more information.
Also check out the resources in the grey box which might be of interest.
This website does not provide personal medical advice.
New Forest PCN take no responsibility for the content of external links.
Other Resources
ShapeUp4Life Hampshire
This new service allows self-referral. They have an app and group sessions which can be either face to face or virtual. Anyone with a BMI over 30 can self refer but if you have diabetes or are from a Black or Minority Ethnic group then a BMI over 28 is what is needed to be eligible.
POWeR
This is an online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approach to weight loss. It is funded by Hampshire County Council and is available to adults with a BMI of 25 or over.
Low Calorie & Shake Diets
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