Most plant-based summits have now gone virtual (Photo edited by Plant Based News)

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COVID-19 has canceled an array of events in the plant-based realm, but during a global pandemic, it's more important than ever to educate yourself on health, nutrition, and the power of the food.

Most plant-based events have now gone virtual, meaning you can access them safely from the comfort of your own home. The events listed below are also accessible all-year-round - so you don't have to worry about booking the day off work to attend.

So without further ado, here are the top 10 virtual plant-based events you don't want to (and can't really) miss.

(Photo: Dr. Greger and Dr. Barnard)

Founded by father-son duo Ocean and John Robbins, The Food Revolution Summit aims to share 'the most comprehensive, cutting-edge, and credible information on food and health'.

It features 25 renowned experts, including Dr. Greger and Dr. Barnard, who cover topics such as brain health, immunity, cancer, heart health, the climate, and much more.

"Among the major risk factors for infections of all kinds, including coronaviruses, are obesity, heart disease, asthma, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic illnesses," event organizers state.

"We don't want you or the people you love to be victims of a toxic food culture. Especially not now. During the Food Revolution Summit, you'll get the most up-to-date research and information about food, nutrition, disease prevention, immune health, and environmental stewardship."

You can sign up to the Food Revolution Summit here

(Photo: Culianry Rx)

Created by The Plantrician Project, Culinary Rx is an online instructional cooking and nutrition course, taught by leading chef educators and medical professionals.

It aims to 'provide individuals with the tools, resources, and culinary confidence to take control of their lives through food and cooking'.

The 12-hour course features more than 75 recipes, 95 instructional technique videos, and personalized instructor support. You'll also receive a certificate of completion upon graduating.

You can sign up to Culinary Rx here

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Plant Based News has partnered with Dr. Gemma Newman, aka the Plant Power Doctor, to teach you everything you need to know if you're expecting.

The affordable course, which retails at just $19, answers common pregnancy questions such as 'is it safe to follow a vegan diet during pregnancy?' and 'what should I avoid during pregnancy?'.

It also covers topics such as supplementation, managing morning sickness, weight gain, exercise, and also features three case studies from different mothers.

Speaking about the course, PBN Founder Klaus Mitchell said: "We're so excited to have partnered with Dr. Newman for this unprecedented launch from Plant Based News.

"We want vegan parents-to-be to have access to the best plant-based nutrition advice, right at their fingertips - from real medical professionals."

You can sign up to The Ultimate Guide To A Vegan Pregnancy here

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Another PBN Dr. Gemma Newman collaboration - The Ultimate Guide To Raising A Child Vegan is the perfect follow on from our pregnancy guide.

The course covers the basics such as supplementation, the safety of vegan diets in children, and reveals the 'one food that is optimal for all children'.

It also provides advice on breastfeeding, weaning your child off breast milk, how to say no to vegan junk food, and managing a fussy eater.

"Our hope is that we can fill a hole, and alleviate some concerns for people who want to raise a vegan family and don't know where to start. But the guides are also great for more experienced vegans," Mitchell added.

"They cover such a wide variety of topics, so exhaustively, that it's an easy and reliable way to brush up on your plant-based nutrition knowledge. As we all know, this information can be massively helpful, not just for explaining our choices to others, but for peace of mind - especially for parents."

You can sign up to The Ultimate Guide To Raising A Child Vegan here

(Photo: eCornell)

This revolutionary online certificate program will 'help you understand the importance of diet and nutrition for your life'.

Created by eCornell and the Center for Nutrition Studies, with over 20 renowned experts, the courses provide 'research and perspectives to emphasize why following a plant-based diet is optimal for health'.

The program, which is based on Dr. T. Colin Campbells lectures, experience, and decades of research, also includes the 'prevention and reversal of diseases such as heart disease and diabetes'.

The course focuses on three main modules: nutrition and society, diseases of affluence, and plant-based in practice.

You can sign up to the eCornell Certificate Program here

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The world's first, and only, accredited school for anti-aging beauty nutrition is brought to you by the Academy of Beauty Nutrition.

The course features eight comprehensive modules giving you 'a wealth of knowledge in the field of anti-aging nutrition'.

You'll also have practical assignments and research opportunities to try a 'beauty diet' on yourself - as well as get access to exclusive hand-outs and recipes.

"Turn your passion for skin-nutrition, epigenetics, and anti-aging functional foods into an exciting career and thriving business with our international, accredited practitioner training programs and courses in beauty food formulation," the brand's website states.

You can sign up to the Anti-Ageing Beauty Nutrition course here

(Photo: Square One)

Square One's Healing Cancer Coaching Program combines Chris Wark's own experience with cancer with 15 years of research learning from doctors, experts, and survivors.

The step-by-step action plan, which is said to 'transform your life and start your healing adventure', covers topics such as 'the anti-cancer diet', supplementation, eliminating stress, and 'spiritual healing'.

It includes 10 hours' worth of video modules, which can be accessed online or in DVD form, as well as a transcript book, guide book, and an MP3 audio version of all the modules.

"If youre trying to heal, prevent a recurrence, or you want to be proactive and reduce your risk of ever developing cancer, SQUARE ONE is for you," Wark states on his website.

You can sign up to the Healing Cancer Coaching Program here

(Photo: Supplied)

Praised for its high remission rates for type 2 diabetics, The NFI protocol has propelled itself into the mainstream over the last few years.

The NFI protocol is a personalized whole-food plant-based meal plan with an 84 percent success rate upon completion for T2 diabetics.

If you're looking to lose weight, improve digestion, minimize your reliance on medication, reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and much more - the NFI protocol is for you.

"The NFI Protocol works for anyone, but it is always up to the patient how exactly they will stick to their personal protocol," says Dr. Janka Lejavova, MD - who successfully took 147 of her type 2 diabetes patients off medication using the NFI protocol.

Sign up to the NFI protocol here

(Photos: Mastering Diabetes/ Facebook)

Created by top-selling authors Cyrus Khambatta and Robby Barbaro, the Mastering Diabetes 'Do-It-Yourself Program' can help reverse insulin resistance by using 'food as medicine'.

The custom-built course, which has helped more than 3,000 people around the world achieve optimal health, focuses on a low-fat, plant-based, whole-food diet.

You'll get access to 25 recipes and 'step instructions on what to eat, when to eat, and why to eat certain foods that maximize your insulin sensitivity'.

"If you're looking for the best health you've had in years and are excited about reducing your risk for other chronic diseases in the future to maximize your longevity, this is the solution for you," the duo state on their website.

You can sign up to the program here

(Photo: The Clear Skin Diet)

The pandemic hasn't stopped more plant-based summits and virtual courses being created - so keep your eyes out for upcoming launches such as vegan YouTubers Nina and Randa - who tackled their acne with a whole-food plant-based diet.

If we haven't mentioned your favorite e-learning course, please comment below and give us your suggestions!

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The Top 10 Virtual Plant-Based Events You Don't Want To Miss - Plant Based News

Weight loss: Eat healthy, home-cooked meals at all times

There are a few things that you need to do on a daily basis, if you want to lose weight quickly and effectively. From exercising regularly to eating a healthy diet, sleeping well, taking less, avoiding sugar and practicing portion control, there are a few things that you need to do daily for quick and consistent weight loss. The amount of water that you drink in a day is also important to shed some extra kilos. In this article, we are going to talk about a few steps that you need to take on a daily basis for effective and consistent weight loss.

An overall improvement of lifestyle is needed for shedding kilos in a healthy manner. Know that you need to restrict your calorie intake, but not follow calorie-restrictive diet either. A more sustainable approach to weight loss is needed if you are seeking consistency.

Consider every meal as an opportunity to nourish yourself. Eat home-cooked food prepared with natural ingredients. Use fresh vegetables and fruits. Avoid processed, packaged and junk food as much as possible. Use healthy cooking oils for your meals like coconut oil, mustard oil, olive oil or ghee. Whenever you feel like craving junk food or your favourite comfort food, cook it at home rather than ordering it or eating it from restaurants.

Also read:Weight Loss: How Completing 10,000 Steps In A Day Can Benefit You, As Told By A Fitness Expert

Even if you are eating desserts, do watch the portion size. Opt for one small size of a cake or half a cup cake. Satiate your cravings but be smart in its approach. When you are eating your meals, eat slowly, chew your food properly, begin with serving half the amount of food you would usually eat. If you feel hungry, then take half the amount of food you still want, and eat it slowly.

Practice portion control and do not overeatPhoto Credit: iStock

Exercising for one hour in a day is not going to give good weight loss results, unless you are being physically active throughout the day. Try to complete 10,000 steps in a day, over and above your exercise routine. Do not overexert and give your body the time to rest and recover as well.

Also read:Weight Loss: Exercise At This Time Of The Day For Best Results

Weight loss is going to be slower, and much less effective if you are stressed. Stress can increase production of cortisol. High levels of cortisol can lead to weight gain. Meditation, exercise, listening to music, consuming a balanced diet and sleeping well can help in regularising production of cortisol, and reduce stress.

Sleeping well is not just important for weight loss, but also for a healthy immunity. If you are not sleeping well, it can make you feel tired and fatigued all day. One also tends to experience cravings more often on the day after they haven't slept well the previous night. Focus on getting good quality sleep for six to eight hours every night, and work towards if you are unable to do so.

Weight loss can be easier said than done. It definitely doesn't come easy if you don't have the dedication, motivation and discipline to follow a healthy lifestyle.

Also read:These Soothing Yoga Poses Will Help You Sleep Better

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Weight Loss: 5 Things You Need To Do Every Day, If You Want To Shed Extra Kilos - NDTV

Growing up, Georgia Carlton knew she looked different from her friends. When she wanted to dress like them, she often couldnt. It was hard to find cute clothes like theirs in her size. She also couldnt understand why she was overweight and they werent.

I always told myself I was made to be fat. So this was just life, Carlton, 42, of Renton, Washington, told TODAY. We all eat the same things, but theyre skinny. So it was just like this is the way I am.

In seventh grade, she remembers being weighed in gym class and learning she weighed 275 pounds. But she still played basketball and volleyball and her family all looked like her so she never really thought about it. When she left home to attend college, she tried shedding a few pounds. While, she attempted everything from quick fixes to eating only meat and green vegetables, it never worked. She almost always regained what she lost.

Only once I could say that I was truly successful, she said. I was at 293 and I lost about 30 pounds but I fell off the wagon and gained all that weight back.

Carlton remained 296 pounds for years. But a visit to Disneyland when she was 39 caused her to re-examine her health.

That trip was hard on me. I have arthritis in my knees, she explained. Every night I was in excruciating pain It was such a struggle physically but also just mentally because it was like, Will I fit in the ride?

Carlton strained to walk through the park, too. But seeing a picture of her from the trip really motivated her to do something.

I dont want to go into my 40s living like this any longer. I wanted to live. I dont want to just exist in my familys life, she said. I want to be a participant in their lives.

She posted a request on Facebook asking about weight loss challenges. A friend sent her a message about WW (formerly Weight Watchers).

I needed to try something and I had given everything else a try, so why not try this? Carlton recalled thinking.

For the first time it seemed as if Carlton could eat the foods she wanted. She simply watched what she ate and learned how to assess portion sizes and make healthy swaps. That appealed to her.

I always felt like I had to give up a whole food group or foods that I enjoyed, she said. I want a lifestyle that I can do for the rest of my life and (if) I want to have tortilla chips every night I can have (them).

Since starting her weight-loss program in November 2017, Carlton has lost 122 pounds. She now weighs 159 pounds. While she appreciates how her appearance has changed, what she really loves is how losing weight has helped her gain a more active life with her children.

We went on our first hike this summer as a family. My husband had taken the kids before and I just stayed home, she said. We hiked for two hours and it was amazing. My kids had fun. I had fun."

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Carlton was spending six days a week in the gym. She enjoyed spin and weight lifting. Shes modified exercising for home.

Im doing Zoom Cyclebar classes, she said. I bought my own bike just two months ago because I was like I love this so much.

Last November, she ran a 5K, highlighting how far shes come since barely being able to walk through Disney.

It has just been an amazing thing to be a part of activities, she said. And not just observing or taking pictures.

Losing weight has taught Carlton a lot about herself.

I learned I can get through those most frustrating and bad days, she said. Those times during my journey were hard but now that I look back at them they were still needed. Sometimes we just need to go through the journey.

Carlton shares weight-loss tips to help others on their journey.

For the first three months of her weight loss, Carlton didnt exercise. She started off watching what she ate, and once she felt comfortable with that, she slowly added exercise.

You can take baby steps, she said. I tell people, if you want to work out, just commit to five minutes of walking around the block for two weeks. If you want to focus on nutrition, just commit to one meal of eating a big healthy salad for two weeks."

We want to eat right. We want to exercise the right way, but its really the consistency over the long time, she said. Thats how I had success. I was obviously not perfect.

This meant that if Carlton ate junk food or skipped a work out, she didnt let that derail her healthy habits.

Just get back, she said. Consistency gets you to your goal.

Were capable of doing so much. Our minds stops us, Carlton said. So if we get our minds out of the way, were unstoppable.

Read more from the original source:
Weight-loss tips from a woman who lost 122 pounds in her 40s - TODAY

I didnt step into the gym at all during my weight loss journey. I did all my work out within the comfort of my hostel room. Each of my workout session burned 800 kcal roughly. I did two 15-minute sessions of jumping ropes regularly. I also included strength training and a little bit of weight training in my workout regime.

Fitness secrets I unveiled: Weight loss is simple mathematics. Calculate your BMR and adjust your calorie intake and workout sessions accordingly.

How do I stay motivated? I always make it a point to click pictures every time I reach a milestone. My phone wallpaper is of the time when I used to weigh 90 kilos. Seeing how far I have come definitely keeps me motivated.

How do you ensure you dont lose focus? Knowing that I should treat myself with love and respect doesnt allow me to let my body, mind and soul go through any sort of stress--be it unhealthy food or unwanted worries.

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Weight loss journey: I lost 23 kilos in just 5 months without stepping into the gym! - Times of India

Barley is rich in proteins and fibre.

Highlights

Trying to lose weight or not, it is important to feed our body with different foods to avail the optimal mix of nutrients. Other than putting in a variety of vegetables, lentils, legumes and fruits in our diet, it is a good idea to use different kinds of cereals as well. Barley, called 'jau' in Hindi, is prized for its high nutrient profile and its bounty of health-benefitting properties. The grain is rich in fibre, proteins and other nutrients, and is considered a good food for easy digestion and for managing diabetes.

Barley is commonly used to make beer and bread and is often used as a healthy rice alternative. Some people use barley to make stews and salads too. Barley water forms an important part of the everyday morning ritual of barley fans. Here we are providing you with some great ideas to include barley in your breakfast diet with some easy and familiar recipes.

Use broken barley or roasted barley flour instead of sooji to make upma. Flavour it the usual way by adding veggies and spices of your choice. Barley upma will taste just as good as your regular South Indian-special sooji upma.

(Also Read:11 Best Barley Recipes You Can Try At Home)

Barley can be used to make interesting breakfast recipes

Just like you cook oats, boil barley in water and add to a bowl of milk, honey, cinnamon, fruits, nuts and seeds. Boiled barley is mushy enough to be made into sweet and soothing oatmeal.

This savoury porridge is made with soaked and crushed barley mixed with boiled chickpeas, onions, garlic and some common spices. Remember to soak barley a night before. Click here for the full recipe.

Turn your favourite breakfast pancakes healthier by replacing all-purpose flour with barley and make the pancake batter as usual with milk, eggs, honey, baking powder and a pinch of salt. A topping of fruits or maple syrup will make it taste even better.

(Also Read:Kitchen Basics 101: How to Cook the Ancient Grain Barley)

Barley flour can be used to make healthier pancakes.

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Make this powerful morning drink by blending barley grass powder with milk/curd, water, honey and nuts. This protein-rich smoothie is perfect to kick-start the day.

These barley recipes are ideas for healthy morning meals rife with energy-giving and digestion-friendly nutrients. If you have more barley recipe ideas for breakfast, please share with us in the comments section below.

About Neha GroverLove for reading roused her writing instincts. Neha is guilty of having a deep-set fixation with anything caffeinated. When she is not pouring out her nest of thoughts onto the screen, you can see her reading while sipping on coffee.

Read more here:
5 Barley (Jau) Healthy Breakfast Recipes You Can Try On Weight Loss Diet - NDTV Food

Weight loss: Try to complete three laps of the workout. It can be completed within 30 minutes and can make you feel the burn in glutes, abs, arms, core and back.

All you need is a pair of dumbbells to do these exercises

Doing weight training at home can be a tad bit challenging. Cardio and basic weight training exercises that can help in improving your body strength, stamina and flexibility can be done. But if you want to improve tone your body, build muscles or improve/maintain your lifting performance, it can be a struggle. Well, there are a few exercises that can help you with the concern of improving lifting performance, building body strength and stamina and toning your body. Fitness trainer Stephanie Sanzo recently shared a workout on Instagram that can not just help people start with weight training, but can also help in improving or maintaining your lifting performance.

All you need is a pair of dumbbells to do these exercises. Sanzo names the workout as a Lifting at home program. It contains superset of compound exercises and isolated movements that can increase muscle size and strength. It includes resistance training, recovery sessions and cardio exercises.

Also read:Boost Your Stamina With These Diet And Workout Tips From Celeb Trainer Vinod Channa

In the video below, Sanzo shares a full body workout from the lifting at home program. A pair of dumbbells and a mat is all you need. You can also use milk cartons or water bottles as replacement for dumbbells.

1. Superset 1

2. Superset 2

3. Superset 3

Try to complete three laps of the workout. It can be completed within 30 minutes and can make you feel the burn in glutes, abs, arms, core and back. Let's do it!

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Also read:Weight Loss: Get Your Glutes Burning With This Quiet And Low-Impact, Yet Effective Workout

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.

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Weight Loss: Full Body Workout Can Improve Your Weight Lifting Performance - Try It Now! - NDTV Doctor

Neem and aloe vera juice could flush out the toxins from your body and rejuvenate you

Highlights

Green juices are all the rage now. They don't take much time to come together, you always have the liberty to choose between a range of ingredients and you know the results would most certainly be effective since everything that is used is natural. Green juice simply refers to a blend that is made with leaves, fruits and veggies that is green in colour. They are touted to be excellent for detox, immunity and diet, but of course everything boils down to the ingredients used. Two such ingredients you could place your bet on are neem and aloe vera.

Neem is one of India's most ancient remedies for skin, hair and diet-related concerns. The bitter leaves are also known to do wonders for diabetes management. Since they are enriched with a range of antioxidants, they help boost our immunity, and built resistance against many common illnesses like cold and flu.

Aloe vera, on the other hand, has also emerged to be one superfood of sorts. The bitter, translucent gel found in aloe vera has incredible healing properties. It comprises a type of protein which contains 18 of the 20 amino acids found in the body and Vitamin A, B, C and E. According to Dr. Deepali Bhardwaj, a Delhi-based dermatologist, not only is aloe-vera rich in vitamin A, C, E but also beta-carotene, all of which together make aloe vera very nourishing for skin and a natural exfoliator. The wide range of antioxidants also help fight cell damage caused by free-radical activity and strengthens your immunity.

(Also Read:6 Amazing Benefits of Aloe Vera for Hair, Skin and Weight-Loss)

Aloe vera is replete with numerous vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and sterols that help make your diet more weight-loss-friendly and increase your body's ability to absorb nutrients.

Now, here's how you can combine the goodness of two. You are correct, the blend is going to be a very bitter one, but super nutritious, a small cup of this juice everyday could really change your life. Besides, you can also add honey for taste.

(Also Read:6 Amazing Benefits of Chewing Neem Regularly)

Aloe vera is replete with numerous vitamins, minerals, amino acids

Neem And Aloe Vera Juice Recipe:

Ingredients:

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Method:

Drink this juice every morning for best results. Let us know if you have any interesting green juice recipe.

(This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.)

About Sushmita SenguptaSharing a strong penchant for food, Sushmita loves all things good, cheesy and greasy. Her other favourite pastime activities other than discussing food includes, reading, watching movies and binge-watching TV shows.

Excerpt from:
Make This Neem And Aloe Vera Juice For Immunity, Weight Loss And Radiant Skin - NDTV Food

Studies have shown that significant weight loss, through either metabolic (also known as bariatric) surgery or calorie restriction, may lead to remission in some people who have type 2 diabetes.

William T. Cefalu, MD, director of the NIDDKs Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases, discusses type 2 diabetes remission, including recent research into strategies and mechanisms by which people who have diabetes can achieve remission.

Q: What is remission of type 2 diabetes? How do health care professionals define remission and know when a patient has achieved it?

A: People with type 2 diabetes who do not have adequate glycemic control have an increased risk for diabetes complications. Glycemic control is monitored by measuring both blood glucose and blood markers assessing antecedent glycemia such as hemoglobin A1C, which reflects average glucose over the previous months. We define type 2 diabetes remission as having the condition revert to a nondiabetic range as assessed with blood glucose levels or blood glucose markers and staying in that range for at least 6 months when a person isnt taking any diabetes medications.

Its important for both health care professionals and people who have type 2 diabetes to realize that significant weight loss either from lifestyle intervention (i.e., diet and exercise) or from certain procedures can result in blood glucose levels decreasing into the nondiabetic range, and that achieving remission can minimize or prevent future complications.

Q: Why do health care professionals use the term remission rather than cure when discussing type 2 diabetes? What happens to a persons diabetes when he or she relapses?

A: We don't use the word cure when we refer to blood glucose levels reverting back to levels below the threshold used for diagnosis, as you could argue cure means completely alleviating the condition. For example, an acute condition seen with infectious diseases such as bronchitis may be considered to be cured with antibiotics. However, in type 2 diabetes, because blood glucose levels are on a continuum and are significantly associated with weight, it is observed that when weight regain occurs, the glucose levels may increase back to the range associated with diabetes diagnosis. So, the correct term is remission.

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disorder, and, at one time, we didnt think that weight loss or other interventions could allow people with type 2 diabetes to lower their blood glucose levels into the nondiabetic range and to stay there for an extended period of time without medication. However, we now understand that people with type 2 diabetes who lose significant weight and improve other factors related to diabetes can achieve remission.

With sustained weight loss, people may stay in remission for quite some time. However, if they begin to put on weight, their blood glucose levels can increase and return to the diabetic range. They may need diabetes medications or even insulin with weight regain depending on the severity of their type 2 diabetes and their glucose control.

Q: What strategies can lead to remission of type 2 diabetes?

A: The most important factor in achieving remission is weight loss, and two techniquesmetabolic surgery and lifestyle changes that restrict calories on a daily basis to achieve weight losshave been shown to induce remission.

Some studies, dating back many years, have observed that metabolic surgery leads to high rates of type 2 diabetes remission. Recently, the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT), conducted in primary care practices in the United Kingdom, examined type 2 diabetes remission rates in participants who lost weight, starting with a very low-calorie diet and sustaining the weight loss over time. DiRECT found high rates of type 2 diabetes remission among people who lost a significant amount of weightmore than 10 kg (about 22 pounds)and sustained the weight loss over 12 to 24 months.

Q: What research is being conducted on remission of type 2 diabetes?

A: Studies have sought to understand the mechanisms of remission. A lot of current research focuses on not only total fat in the body, but also where the fat may be located, referred to as ectopic fat (e.g., fat in the liver and pancreas) that may affect normal physiologic function. This research has led to some very interesting observations about potential mechanisms. Weight loss may improve pancreas function, with better insulin secretion and type 2 diabetes remission.

Q: Are some people with type 2 diabetes more likely to achieve remission than others?

A: Three factors that seem to predict success in achieving remission are significant weight loss, baseline pancreatic function, and diabetes duration.

Significant and sustained weight lossfor example, in the range of 10 kg (about 22 pounds) as shown in some studiesis the most important factor. Studies in which participants lost small amounts of weight have shown lower rates of type 2 diabetes remission. However, studies in which participants lost a significant amount of weightsuch as DiRECT or studies of metabolic surgeryhave shown higher remission rates.

Studies of weight loss through restricting calories or metabolic surgery have found that people with type 2 diabetes who start with greater pancreatic function at baseline, prior to the intervention, are more likely to undergo remission. People who have had shorter diabetes duration are also more likely to undergo remission. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, and, after a long time with diabetes, pancreatic function may decline over time. Thus, observations suggest that after having diabetes for a long period of time, significantly improving pancreatic function and achieving remission may prove to be more difficult, compared to achieving remission early in the natural history of the disease.

Q: How and when should health care professionals talk with patients who have type 2 diabetes about remission? How can health care professionals help patients achieve remission and sustain it over time?

A: First and foremost, you should emphasize the importance of managing blood glucose levels to minimize the complications of type 2 diabetes whether the patient is or is not on medications. Glycemic control is incredibly important in reducing the risk of complications, and you need to discuss glycemic control and a goal with the patient. In most cases, this means advising patients to keep their A1C level at 7 percent or below to prevent eye, kidney, and nerve complications. While we have very effective medications to lower blood glucose levels, lifestyle interventions (nutrition and exercise) are a cornerstone of managing diabetes. A balanced diet that achieves weight loss not only improves blood glucose levels but also may reduce cardiovascular risk factors.

Patients should also know that obesity contributes to increased blood glucose levels due to insulin resistance and that the more weight patients put on, that may mean they need more medication. It is important that they know if they lose weight and improve their bodys efficiency, they may require less medication. Let your patients know that if they lose enough weight, particularly during the early phases of type 2 diabetes, they will significantly lower their blood glucose, have less risk for diabetes complications, and may be able to achieve remission.

Overall, with significant weight loss through restricting calories or other strategies, patients have a high likelihood of achieving remission, particularly if they have a greater baseline pancreatic function and have had diabetes for a shorter time.

How do you talk with patients about type 2 diabetes remission? Tell us below in the comments.

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Achieving Type 2 Diabetes Remission through Weight Loss | NIDDK - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)