About 400 million people worldwide are suffering from Type 2 diabetes. They are very vulnerable to stroke, heart disease, blindness and amputations. But it seems there is hope.

The findings of a recent research indicate that it is possible to recover from the disease without intensive lifestyle interventions or extreme calorie restrictions. An intensive low-calories diet involving a total daily intake of 700 calories for eight weeks has been associated with remission in almost nine out of ten people with recently diagnosed diabetes and in half of people with longstanding diabetes.

The study reinforces the importance of managing one’s weight which can be achieved through changes in diet and increasing physical activity. Scientists suggest that it is possible to get rid of diabetes, for at least five years, with a more modest weight loss of 10%. It is more motivating and therefore more achievable for people with Type 2 diabetes.