What is the Diabetes Second Chance Research Hub?
Welcome to the ‘Diabetes: A Second Chance’ Research Hub – a one-stop shop for those who would like to learn more about their Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes using an evidence-based approach.
Below you will find a range of academic papers and articles that delve into the science behind Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, as well as the effects of alcohol, smoking and physical activity on Diabetes.
We have provided a short summary of the paper findings; Please click on the hyperlinks (blue links) to read the research articles in full.
Type 2 Diabetes: Etiology and Reversibility – Roy Taylor
Losing excess fat within our organs helps reverse and manage Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes
- Author: Roy Taylor (Professor of Medicine and Metabolism, University of Newcastle)
- Published: 2013
- Brief Overview: As the title suggests, Roy Taylor highlights and discusses the key etiological components of Diabetes Mellitus, such as the impact of excess intra-organ fat around the liver on insulin sensitivity and fat metabolism.
- The paper also provides evidence-based suggestions on the effectiveness of various treatments such as bariatric surgery and highlights how utilizing a combination of dietary and physical activity interventions can be very effective in the reversal and long-term management of Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Article Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609491/
Reference: Taylor, R. (2013). Type 2 diabetes: etiology and reversibility. Diabetes care, 36(4), 1047-1055.
Body Fat Distribution and Insulin Resistance - Patel & Abate
Increased fat around the midsection of your body will increase the development of Prediabetes/T2DM
- Authors: Patel & Abate - Specialist in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Published: 2013
- Brief Overview: This paper discusses the mediating effect of body fat distribution and adipose (fat) tissue inflammation on insulin resistance, highlighting the impact of upper body fat on the development of cardio-metabolic conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes.
Article Link: Body Fat Distribution and Insulin Resistance (nih.gov)
Reference: Patel, P., & Abate, N. (2013). Body fat distribution and insulin resistance. Nutrients, 5(6), 2019-2027. doi:10.3390/nu5062019
Low carbohydrate diet to achieve weight loss...Unwin & Unwin
VLCDs are effective in causing 8-12kg of weight loss in Prediabetics and Type 2 Diabetics
- Authors: David Unwin - RCGP, Principal in General Practice, The Norwood Surgery, Southport, UK/ Jen Unwin - FBPsS, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Southport & Ormskirk NHS Trust, UK
- Published: 2014
- Brief Overview: This paper explored the effectiveness of a low carbohydrate diet on 18 GP practice patients that had a raised HbA1c of 42<. They found that adhering to the low carbohydrate diet resulted in an:
- Average weight loss of 8-12kg,
- Waist circumference reduction of roughly 3-15cm (about 5.91 in)
- HbA1c reduction of up to 23.9mmol/mol
- By the end of the programme, 16 of the 18 patients were able to achieve a HbA1c in the normal range of 20-41mmol/mol and the two patients who did not, still reduced their HbA1c by 23.9mmol/mol - displaying the overall effectiveness of a low carbohydrate diet when attempting to reverse Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes.
Article Link: https://wchh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/pdi.1835
Reference: Unwin, D., & Unwin, J. (2014). Low carbohydrate diet to achieve weight loss and improve HbA1c in type 2 diabetes and pre‐diabetes: experience from one general practice. Practical Diabetes, 31(2), 76-79.
Obesity Management in Adults: A Review - Sachs et al
- Authors: Sachs et al – Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine at NYU Grossmann School of Medicine and Department Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
- Published: 2023
- Brief Overview: This paper highlights and discusses the effectiveness of varying treatment options (Physical Activity, Nutritional Approaches, Behavioral Interventions, Anti-Obesity medications, Pharmaceuticals, Bariatric Surgery, amongst others. It concludes that the most effective approaches utilise a range of differing interventions on a case-by-case basis – maximising intervention effectiveness through specificity.
Article Link (PDF): Please find the PDF in the section below.
Reference: Elmaleh-Sachs, A., Schwartz, J. L., Bramante, C. T., Nicklas, J. M., Gudzune, K. A., & Jay, M. (2023). Obesity management in adults: a review. JAMA, 330(20), 2000-2015.