A dietary approach championed by the late Doctor Michael Mosley can help people shed weight - and potentially reverse diabetes. Dr Mosley established himself as a beloved presence on British television.

Specialising in wellness topics, particularly weight management and fitness, he motivated countless people beforehis tragic death in 2024.Throughout his career, he became a passionate supporter of intermittent fasting, a method where people consume considerably fewer calories on specific days.

In a bid to reduce his blood pressure, drop excess weight, and tackle his type 2 diabetes, Dr Mosley adopted the Fast 800 Diet, also referred to as the 5:2 diet. The approach enabled him to shed nearly 20 pounds (9kg) across 12 weeks and put his diabetes into remission.

• Cardiologist says 'never ignore' these 10 symptoms of heart disease


• People with £50 spare each month told it 'could add up to five figures' in one account

The Fast 800 shared on Instagram: "Our co-founder Dr Michael Mosley is best known for creating the 5:2TM diet, with which he lost nearly 20 pounds (9kg) in 12 weeks and reversed his diabetes. ⁠", reports Surrey Live.

"On the 5:2 diet you intermittent fast two days of the week eating 800 calories, the rest of the week you eat without calorie restrictions, simply following a med-style diet, and sensible portions."

On the Fast Diet website, Dr Mosley had previously explained: "Since you are only fasting for two days of your choice each week, and eating normally on the other five days, there is always something new and tasty on the near horizon. In short, it's easy to comply with a regime that only asks you to restrict your calorie intake occasionally. It recalibrates the diet equation and stacks the odds in your favour.

"Bear in mind that the programme is designed as a well-signposted path towards a longer, healthier life; weight loss is simply a happy adjunct to all of that."

Intermittent fasting (IF) has gained enormous popularity since Dr Mosley brought it into the spotlight. Niamh Hennessy, lead dietician at the Cromwell Hospital, explained: "The idea behind intermittent fasting is that it gives your body a break from digesting food.

"This can potentially lead you to have less calories than if you were eating more regularly. Also, eating less often can have positive effects on your blood sugar levels which can be useful if you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes."

"Intermittent fasting may also trigger a process called autophagy. This is where your body works to remove damaged cells from your body. Your body does this when it doesn’t have to focus on digesting food. There is some evidence to show that autophagy can reduce your risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, but more evidence is needed."

When asked if it leads to weight loss, she said: "It might do. In several short-term studies, people did lose weight when they tried intermittent fasting. This is because you would likely be having less calories overall.

"But for some people, intermittent fasting can lead to overeating. This is because when you go without eating for a while, your body makes more of the hunger hormone ghrelin.

"This can lead you to eat lots when you break your fast. So, eating healthily and being aware of how many calories you have is still important if you choose to try IF."

She went on to say that current evidence indicates it appears safe for adults, though further research in this area is required. A 2016 study supported this view, finding no evidence of harm and noting that 'almost any intermittent fasting regimen can result in some weight loss'.

The research showed 11 out of 13 reviews found it led to weight loss. The study also noted that three additional pieces of research showed decreases in glucose and insulin levels, whilst 'modified alternate day fasting regimens result in reduced weight'.

It also stated: "Research to date has not demonstrated that alternate day fasting regimens produce superior weight loss in comparison to standard, continuous calorie restriction weight loss plans."