Newcastle Study 600 Calorie Diet

Newcastle Diet

The Newcastle Diet is based on research undertaken by Britain's Newcastle University on weight loss and diabetes.

The study involved eleven patients with Type 2 diabetes who were placed on a very strict low calorie diet.

After being on the diet for two months the majority of patients no longer showed any signs of having diabetes. They remained diabetes free even 3 months after resuming a normal diet.

Newcastle Diet Basics

The participants were under doctor's supervision while they consumed 800 calories per day for 8 weeks. Three months after completion of the study 7 out of the 11 subjects were regarded as being free of diabetes.

The 800 Calorie Diet Plan

The daily food allowance for the 8 week program included:

• A liquid meal replacement formula called Optifast available as milkshakes or soup. It consists of 46.4 percent carbohydrate, 32.5 percent protein and 20.1 percent fat as well as vitamins and minerals. (600 Calories)
• At least three portions of non-starchy vegetables. Examples include broccoli, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, lettuce, tomato, mushrooms, zucchini, asparagus, red pepper and bean sprouts. Dieters were permitted to season their food with herbs and spices as long as they did not contain salt. (200 Calories)
• A minimum of 2 liters of water.

The study patients were instructed to strictly avoid the following foods:

• Poultry, fish, eggs and meat
• Bread, rice and pasta
• Dairy products
• Starchy vegetables such as potato and sweet potato
• Legumes
• Fruit
• Alcohol
• Salt

The Newcastle Diet Works By Removing Fat Around the Pancreas

Roy Taylor, the professor in charge of the study says,

"It's now clear that type 2 diabetes is caused by abnormal fat storage. If you are eating more than you burn, then the excess is stored in the liver and pancreas as fat. On this diet …the body is suddenly in negative calorie balance, so it calls on its own reserves of fat.The fat used first is that around the pancreas and liver. This means the pancreas is given a chance to start working again."

Recommended Foods

Optifast meal replacement shakes and soups, cabbage, celery, broccoli, bean sprouts, mushrooms, water chestnuts, cauliflower, onions, leeks, radish, tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, arugula, artichoke, brussel sprouts, carrots, peppers, herbs and spices, low sodium vegetable stock, fat free salad dressing.

Sample Diet Plan

Breakfast Optifast meal replacement shake

Lunch Optifast soup 3oz of mixed lettuce/salad leaves 1 medium tomato, sliced 3 mushrooms, sliced 2-3 sticks celery, chopped 3 sliced rings of green pepper 1 tablespoon fat free dressing

Afternoon Snack Optifast meal replacement shake

Dinner Pea and watercress soup Roasted vegetables or salad

Exercise Recommendations

Exercise is not recommended because you don't want to place any unnecessary stress on your body during this time.

However, dieters in the study were encouraged to maintain their normal levels of daily physical activity.

Newcastle Diet Video

Costs and Expenses

Optifast Meal Replacement Shakes cost about $80 for a case of 27.

Optifast is similar to Medifast which is more popular in the USA.

Pros

• Offers great promise for the possibility of complete recovery from Type 2 diabetes.
• Study participants experienced improvements in well being, blood glucose control and weight loss.
• Fast results that occur when commencing the diet provide motivation to continue with a healthy lifestyle.
• Encourages a high consumption of fresh vegetables.

Cons

• VLCDs may be dangerous unless supervised by a medical professional.
• Study participants experienced negative symptoms including headaches, dizziness, fatigue and hunger. (These generally improve after two to four days on the program).
• Diet is extremely restrictive and may quickly become monotonous.
• Requires the use of liquid meal replacements.
• Diet is nutritionally inadequate and may promote nutrient deficiencies.
• Claims made regarding the precise mechanism of action of the diet have not been adequately proven.
• May be possible to achieve similar benefits with a regular healthy diet and exercise.

Use Only Under Medical Supervision

The Newcastle Diet has demonstrated a potential to provide a complete resolution of Type 2 Diabetes within just eight weeks. Additionally it is imperative that dieters continue with a healthy lifestyle to maintain the benefits of this program.

Use the Newcastle Diet only under medical supervision.

 By Mizpah Matus B.Hlth.Sc(Hons)

References:
• Lim, E. L., Hollingsworth, K. G., Aribisala, B. S., Chen, M. J., Mathers, J. C., & Taylor, R. (2011). Reversal of type 2 diabetes: normalisation of beta cell function in association with decreased pancreas and liver triacylglycerol. Diabetologia, 54(10), 2506-2514. link
• Taylor, R. (2008). Pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes: tracing the reverse route from cure to cause. Diabetologia, 51(10), 1781-1789. link
• Wadden, T. A., STUNKARD, A. J., & BROWNELL, K. D. (1983). Very low calorie diets: their efficacy, safety, and future. Annals of internal medicine, 99(5), 675-684. link

Last Reviewed: March 28, 2021

Newcastle Study 600 Calorie Diet

Source: https://www.freedieting.com/newcastle-diet

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