UK to offer free soup and shake diets in fight against diabetes

UK’s state-funded National Health Service (NHS) will offer free weight-loss diets soup and shake to thousands with 2 diabetes across England as part of a new health drive starting on Tuesday after very-low-calorie plans have shown to improve patients’ life chances.

NHS England said diabetes is estimated to cost health service GBP 10 billion a year, while almost one in 20 prescriptions written by general practitioners is for diabetes treatment.

year-long diet plans will see those who could benefit from total diet replacement products, such as specially formulated low-calorie shakes and soups, will be provided for three months, alongside support to increase ir exercise levels.

“This is latest example of how NHS, through our long term plan, is rapidly opting latest evidence-based treatments to help people stay well, maintain a healthy weight and avoid major diseases,” said Professor Jonathan Valabhji, NHS National Clinical Director for diabetes and obesity.

“re has never been a more important time to lose weight and put ir 2 diabetes into remission, so it’s good news for thousands of people across country that practical measures like this are increasingly available on NHS,” he said.

NHS England said that as part of new drive, patients will be offered mand plans for reintroducing ordinary, nutritious food, with ongoing support from clinicians and coaches after plan to help maintain a healthy lifestyle for a long term and avoid complications linked to obesity.

Various sites across country, including London and rth of England, will test evidence from original trials in a “real world” implementation during a 12-month treatment course.

People living with 2 diabetes who have been diagsed with condition in last six years will be considered for pilot schemes.

NHS said individuals must also meet or eligibility criteria to be referred to service to ensure programme is right for m. interventions will provide low-calorie "Total Diet Replacement" products alongside virtual one-to-ones, group sessions and digital support.

Bridget Turner, Director of Policy Campaigns and Improvement at Diabetes UK, said, "This is an important first step to ensure that people with 2 diabetes, can access a remission programme within NHS and benefit from ground-breaking findings of Diabetes UK funded DiRECT research.

"We kw that some people with 2 diabetes want and need support from healthcare professionals to lose weight effectively and w as se programmes are piloted across NHS, y will.

"People with 2 diabetes who have put ir diabetes into remission frequently tell us how it has changed ir lives. We are so pleased to see that ors will w have same opportunity and hope that it won’t be too long before more remission programmes are rolled out across country," said Turner.

Results from one trial showed almost half of those who went on reduced-calorie diet achieved remission of ir 2 diabetes after one year.

NHS research earlier this year revealed people with 2 diabetes are two times more at risk of dying from coronavirus.

A furr study published last week by University of rth Carolina found that people with obesity are 113 per cent more likely to be mitted to hospital with coronavirus and 74 per cent more likely to need intensive care treatment.

“ programme is in dition to world-leing Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, which has h over 600,000 referrals into scheme, and w people who are eligible can refer mselves into programme online rar than needing a GP referral,” NHS England said, ding that its latest drive will help turn acemic research into support for patients.

Besides helping individuals le happier and healthier lives, enhanced action on obesity and diabetes is also expected to save NHS money and free up staff time, NHS said.