Intensive lifestyle changes—combining a high-protein diet and regular moderate exercise—promoted diabetes remission in 87% of those newly diagnosed. Digest
The progression of type 2 diabetes is not inevitable, and early-stage disease can often be reversed. However, standard clinical approaches tend to focus on disease management rather than remission. A recent study found that combining a high-protein diet, moderate exercise, and weight-loss medications promoted diabetes remission in nearly 87% of newly diagnosed people with type 2 diabetes, compared to 17% in those receiving standard care.
Researchers randomly assigned 61 adults with obesity and either prediabetes or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes to one of two groups. Both received diabetes medications and general lifestyle advice, but one group also participated in a structured program that combined a high-protein diet with supervised moderate exercise (30 minutes daily, five times a week) for 12 months.
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After a year, 73% of participants with prediabetes in the intensive program returned to normal blood glucose levels, compared to just 8% in the standard care group. Among those with type 2 diabetes, 87% experienced remission in the intensive group, while only 17% did in the standard group. People in the intensive group also lost an average of 19 kilograms (~42 pounds)—roughly 17 kilograms (~38 pounds) more than those in standard care—and showed greater reductions in body fat, liver fat, and visceral fat.
These findings suggest that when paired with medications (including metformin and GLP1 receptor agonists), an intensive yet manageable lifestyle program can dramatically improve blood glucose and body composition. Learn about Ozempic, a widely used GLP1 receptor agonist, in this episode featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.