WORK which has identified the cause of Type 2 diabetes and shown how it can be reversed is being celebrated.

The research from Newcastle University has been identified as one of the UK’s 100 best breakthroughs for its significant impact on people’s everyday lives.

Professor Roy Taylor is honoured in the UK’s Best Breakthroughs list for his pioneering work which has shown that consuming a very low-calorie diet can reverse Type 2 diabetes.

The simple, effective method of shedding around two-and-a-half stone in weight, means that sufferers no longer have to take medication and can return to normal health.

NHS England has recently announced that the low calorie diets will be piloted by up to 5,000 people in the NHS for the first time, from next year.

Patients will be prescribed a liquid diet of just over 800 calories a day for three months and then have a period of follow up support to help achieve remission of their Type 2 diabetes.

This follows the DiRECT trial, led by Professor Taylor and funded by Diabetes UK where almost half of those who went on a very low calorie diet achieved remission of their Type 2 diabetes after one year. A quarter of participants achieved 15kg or more in weight loss, and of these, 86 per cent put their type 2 diabetes into remission.

The list of breakthroughs demonstrates how UK universities are at the forefront of some of the world’s most important discoveries, innovations and social initiatives,

Durham University also made the list for a waterproof coating for mobile phones and Northumbria University made the list for work on measuring Antarctic ice changes. It has been compiled by Universities UK, as part of the MadeAtUni campaign to change public perceptions of universities and bring to life the difference they make to people, lives and communities across the UK. The list also highlights the less celebrated breakthroughs, including a specially-designed bra to help women undergoing radiotherapy; a toilet that flushes human waste without the need for water; the development of a new scrum technique to make rugby safer; a sports initiative that aims to use football to resolve conflict in divided communities and even work to protect the quality of the chocolate people eat.

For more information visit MadeAtUni.org.uk