Better insulin response
- Published in
- Cell Metab 2016
- People studied
- 33
In a small randomised trial, losing about 5% of body weight improved how the liver, muscle and fat respond to insulin.
- Checked against
- PubMed 26916363
- Published in
- Cell Metab 2016
- Last checked
- 30 October 2026
Key takeaway
In this small US trial in adults with obesity, people either kept their weight stable or lost weight by diet, and some went on to lose more. Losing about 5% improved how the liver, muscle and fat respond to insulin, and how well the pancreas makes insulin. Losing about 11% and then 16% brought further gains in muscle insulin response and pancreas function.
At a glance
- Type of study
- small randomised trial
- People studied
- 33
- How long
- about 3.5 months to reach 5% (about 10 months for 16%)
- Compared with
- people who kept their weight stable
- Main result
- About 5% lost improved insulin response in liver, muscle and fat.
- Strength of evidence
- Small or uncontrolled studies
What this study does not show
A small group: 33 people finished, and only 9 went on to the larger losses. It measured body chemistry, not illness.
Results from studies in groups of people, mostly in diet and movement programmes. They cannot be promised to any one person. This information is educational and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
More on metabolism
- Lower diabetes risk with each kiloLong-term or observational studies · Hamman et al., Diabetes Care 2006
- Better insulin responseSmall or uncontrolled studies · Magkos et al., Cell Metab 2016
- Half as many new diabetes casesRandomised trials · Tuomilehto et al., NEJM 2001
- More than 5% for clearer blood sugar gainsRandomised trials · Franz et al., J Acad Nutr Diet 2015
- More diabetes remission with fewer caloriesRandomised trials · Jayedi et al., Am J Clin Nutr 2023
- Remission of type 2 diabetes at 2 yearsRandomised trials · Lean et al., Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2019
- Fewer new cases of type 2 diabetesRandomised trials · Ruiz-Canela et al., Ann Intern Med 2025
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