More than half of people with early-onset type 2 diabetes (average age just 38) went into remission with no meds after a 24-week program: 12 weeks of 800–900 calories a day plus supervised strength and cardio workouts. They lost fat but kept their muscle, and even their hearts became healthier, too.
The RESET for Remission trial enrolled 96 patients with early-onset type 2 diabetes, average age 38. After a 24-week program (800–900 kcal/day low-energy diet plus supervised strength and aerobic training for the first 12 weeks, then a 12-week maintenance phase), about 54% achieved medication-free remission versus 4% in the control group.
A hot post on r/science (relayed by u/mvea) reports a study on remission of early-onset type 2 diabetes: 96 patients with a mean age of 38 followed a 24-week program (first 12 weeks of an 800–900 kcal/day low-energy diet plus supervised resistance/aerobic exercise, followed by a 12-week maintenance phase); about 54% achieved remission without medication, versus only 4% in the control group, with fat loss while preserving muscle and improved cardiac markers. Comments were split: u/Jollygreen182, u/goddessnoire and others questioned whether 800–900 kcal very-low-calorie intake is sustainable long term and raised concerns about hair loss and menstrual disruption; u/aqutir, u/RobertDigital1986 and others pointed out that this "low-energy diet (LED)" is itself a clinical remission intervention and is feasible short term under medical supervision. The study's conclusions (RESET for Remission, Lancet Reg Health–Americas 2026 / EASD 2026) have been verified (✔); long-term maintenance effects and safety remain to be seen.
Checked ✔ (RESET for Remission trial, 96 participants, 54% vs 4%, 800–900 kcal LED confirmed by search; long-term maintenance data limited)
It gives 54% versus 4% remission rates and a specific intervention, letting readers compare a very low-energy diet with drug treatment.
Source: Reddit