New research has shown that when people achieve and maintain significant weight loss to manage their type 2 diabetes, many people can also effectively control their high blood pressure and stop or reduce their antihypertensive drugs.
A weight management program developed by researchers from the Universities of Glasgow and Newcastle for the Diabetes UK-funded clinical trial DIabetes REmission (DIRECT) has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure and reducing the need for antihypertensive drugs in type 2 remission -Diabetes.
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The program initially comprises 12 weeks with a nutritionally complete formula diet (low-calorie soups and shakes), which, if fully followed, leads to a weight loss of over 15 kg. Diabetes and blood pressure medication were stopped at the beginning and only restarted when blood sugar or blood pressure rose.
The weight loss phase is followed by food selection and diet support to maintain weight loss. Maintaining the 15kg weight loss enabled 8 out of 10 people to become type 2 diabetes free for at least 2 years without the need for diabetes medication.
The researchers found that the overall mean blood pressure steadily decreased as people lost weight. And blood pressure stayed lower after completing the formula diet.
