Weight loss increases the chances of reversing type 2 diabetes, according to the results of a recent study published in the specialized scientific journal The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.

A summary review of 22 high-quality studies shows that for every kilogram lost in people with type 2 diabetes, the disease improves. For every percentage of body weight lost, the likelihood of complete remission increases by 2.71%.

Overall, approximately 48% of study participants achieved complete remission through weight loss. This was more common the more weight they lost. Nearly 50% of those who lost between 20% and 29% of their original body weight saw their diabetes completely disappear.

Among those who lost at least 30%, the figure rose to nearly 80%.

On average, 41% of them achieved partial remission, and here again, it was quite clear that the greater the weight loss, the greater the chance.

In the study, complete remission was considered achieved if the long-term, medication-free HbA1c level was less than 6.0% or the fasting blood sugar level was less than 100 mg/dL one year after starting weight loss.

Partial remission occurred when the HbA1c level fell below 6.5% or the fasting blood sugar fell below 126 mg/dL.