Newcastle Diet

newcastle-dietThe 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

7 Comments or Reviews

Comments now closed
  1. Keith in Canada

    I am currently on this diet in Canada. I use 2 “Premier Protein Drinks” (7 different flavours) and a vitamin supplement daily. I make a Cabbage & Vegetable soup (2-3 bowls daily) as well as the occasional stir fry. < 600 calories daily but I do use salt along with many other spices. It is a boring diet (I am NOT a vegetarian) but if one sticks to it they can loose a lot of weight. My Dr. said "Go For It". The first 7 days, I lost 11.6 pounds from 270 pounds. If you have the determination to stick to the diet without cheating, you should see success after 8 to 12 weeks. I'll go the 12 weeks as I do not have easy access to a MRI to see if the fat has gone from my pancreas or liver. The trick after loosing the weight, is to do the 2/3 diet and watch that weight. If it goes up 3 pounds, diet to get it off. Way, WAY, too easy to gain the weight back. Wishing all success on this diet.

  2. Angus Thomson

    I am currently trying to get on this programme. I am type 2 and have mentioned this study to my doctor and always been told to keep taking the pills.can you please help?

  3. Nestor Mascarenhas

    I would want help inorder to reverse my wife diabetes

    • John Dunford

      I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in April last year. I had already started to change my lifestyle but then my consultant recommended the 600kcal per day diet which I stuck to religiously. White fish and spinach became my staple and plenty of water.

      By the end of 8 weeks my doctor declared I had lost 2 stone, I no longer had type 2 diabetes, my blood pressure was back to normal – I used to run marathons until I got injured and always had high blood pressure . First time in 25 years that my doctor has said blood pressure was normal.

      • MGunton

        How did you get away with white fish? It is a protein and not in the Newcastle University program.

        • Mpak

          The shakes are protein based so not protein per se that is banned. I think it’s the very low
          Calorie restriction that is key for short term. ( 8 weeks) I made up my own diet basing it on real food ( mostly fish and shellfish and vegetables ) as I hate the meal replacements. It worked. But I understand that the ready made replacements are much easier and reliable for many and have vitamins and minerals added. I supplemented.

    • Towheed Baksh

      I am having a difficult time with food WHY! I guess its willpower I need to eat everything so I personally think its our DNA or our genes Find food to me for my Body type DNA