Freedom from Diabetes
Research Foundation

Diabetes Mellitus is leading cause of morbidity and mortality in India with its increased prevalence. This study assessed the impact of 7 days residential program named Transcendental Residential Program (TRP) of Freedom From Diabetes Research Foundation (FFDRF) on type 2 diabetes mellitus participants as a complementary therapy to pharmacotherapy. A retrospective observational study was conducted on 485 diabetes mellitus participants after obtaining the informed consent where they underwent integrated training under a team consisting of doctors, cooking experts, nutritionists, fitness trainer and stress management trainer. TRP was intended to bring in changes in habit patterns related to the four modifiable factors namely diet, physical activity, medicines, and inner transformation (through stress release and developing positivity). After 7 days of the program there were statistically significant changes in the outcome variables like fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, weight and reduction in insulin and oral hypoglycemic medications. The results suggest the significance of a well-planned lifestyle modification program of FFD and its impact on the clinical outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study has a major limitation such as there was no control group. However, TRP when used as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy has shown to improve glycemic control and reduce the requirement for medication within a short period of time. Given the fact, despite many advances in pharmacotherapy, diabetes mellitus and its complications are still escalating. Therefore, a personalized integrated health program that helps participants to make a shift in their current lifestyle is the way subsequently to reverse this life-threatening metabolic disorder.

To test the hypothesis that specifically modified plant-based diet and anti-gravity exercises in Type 2 diabetics followed for a period of 10-14 weeks improves the glycemic control and reduces requirement of anti-diabetic medication. Around 386 confirmed diabetic participants enrolled in this study. Out of these 259 participants completed the study. This was a follow up study for a period of 10-14 weeks where the anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters were measured at week 0 and at week 10-14 weeks. Medication was also monitored daily based on the blood glucose levels and change in medication was noted at the end of 10-14 weeks. After 10-14 weeks of consumption of modified plant-based diet and anti-gravity exercises was accompanied by a significant reduction in anthropometric measurements like body weight (p=0.0001*), BMI (p=0.0001*), fat percentage (p=0.0003*) and visceral fat percentage (p=0.0002*). Lower anthropometric measurements were accompanied by a reduction in HbA1C (p=0.000*), fasting (p=0.038*) and postprandial (p=0.000*) blood glucose levels. A reduction in the dosage and number of participants requiring oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) and insulin was observed due to improved glycemic index. In the diabetic study population, intervention with modified plant-based diet and anti-gravity exercises was associated with an improved glycemic control and reduced requirement of antidiabetic medications. These findings may assist in development of a standard integrated protocol for treating diabetic patients thus reducing the pre-disposition to diabetic complications thus preventing or prolonging the onset of diabetes complications.

The following case series documents six patients consulted in the Freedom From Diabetes Research Foundation (FFDRF) in Pune, India, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aims to determine the effectiveness of a specifically modified plant based diet combined with anti-gravity exercises (FFD protocol) towards the cessation of the use of oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) and/or external insulin to control blood glucose levels and have the ability to clear the Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT). The patients selected for the study had a minimum of 10 years diabetes. Four of them were only on OHAs and two were on external insulin and OHAs. They had followed the FFD protocol and were included in this study only after fulfilling the following parameters- latest average glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels less than 6.5 and not taking any OHAs or insulin for the last 3 months. Initial and latest demographic data was collected. This included weight, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose levels and HbA1C levels. All 6 patients showed a major improvement in the HbA1C levels, loss in body weight and reduction of waist circumference. In conclusion to this case series, these patients were able to undergo and clear the GTT. This study shows that all these patients have reached an advanced stage of diabetes reversal; besides becoming free from any kind of medications, they are also able to handle a 75 gram glucose load with ease. This would have been otherwise impossible for them. Such results are an important milestone in the history of type 2 diabetes mellitus management and give immense hope to diabetics, their family members, diabetes educators, doctors and the world at large.

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder that has a significant impact on mental health of an individual. In turn, depression and anxiety result in poor disease outcome and early mortality in patients with T2DM.

Objective: The study aimed to assess the effect of holistic lifestyle intervention in improving depression and anxiety in patients with T2DM.

Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, baseline data on 250 T2DM patients enrolled in a one-year online holistic lifestyle intervention programme at the Freedom from Diabetes Clinic (Pune, India) between May-August 2021 was collected. Data on anthropometric parameters and medical history was collected along with response to validated Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) (scoring 0-27) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) scale (scoring 0-21). The intervention comprised of customized vegan diet and exercise protocol along with following activities to improve mental health: meditation, diary writing, goal setting, and one-on-one psychological counselling sessions. At the completion of 6 months of intervention, the patients were re-administered the questionnaires to see the effect in improving the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores. Since the intervention is for one year, data collection is ongoing.

Results: At baseline, the prevalence of depression and anxiety (score>10) was 13% and 15% which reduced to 9.3% and 8.9% post-intervention, respectively. Post intervention, depression (3.30+4.35) and anxiety scores (3.27+4.21) were statistically lower than baseline (4.28+4.49 & 4.59+5.16) (Z= -3.73; -4.25, p<0.05) , respectively (using Wilcoxon signed rank test). Of the 32 patients with depression and 38 patients with anxiety at baseline, those who regularly attended the inner transformation phase and one-on-one psychological counselling session /s, 10 showed an improvement in depression scores and 20 showed improvement in anxiety scores.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that incorporating a psychological component to lifestyle interventions may help improve mental health in patients with T2DM.

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remission is widely reported across the world. However, there are no large-scale cohort studies, especially in Indian population.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured community-based lifestyle modification program- ‘Freedom from diabetes holistic transformation program (FFD-HTP) on T2DM remission in Indian population.

Materials and methods: Patients with diagnosed T2DM (HbA1C > 6.5 or on conventional diabetes medication) above 18 years of age were included in a one-year intense lifestyle modification program, ‘FFD-HTP’. The intervention includes dietary modifications (high protein, low carbohydrate vegan diet, with low glycemic fruits and vegetables), personalized exercise plan (anti-gravity, yoga poses, cardio workout), and stress management support (psychological counselling, mindfulness meditation), with regular monitoring through a personal mentor. HbA1C and other biochemical parameters were measured at baseline, every three months, and after completion of the study, while fasting and post prandial blood glucose levels were measured daily. Complete T2DM remission was defined as maintaining HbA1c<6.5 for at least 3 months without use of anti-diabetic medication.

Results: A total of 3,103 patients were screened between December 2020 and March 2021. Of these, 1,127 (699 males) met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 51.7±10.4 years with mean duration of diabetes 10.4±7.6 years. After one-year intervention, 416 patients (36.9%) achieved T2DM remission. Patients were divided into four groups: Groups A (on oral hypoglycemic agents [OHA], n=829), B (on both insulin and OHA, n=219), C (only on insulin, n=4), and D (not on any anti-diabetic medication, n=75), respectively. In group A 41.7% (n=346) patients, group B 5.9% (n=13) patients, and group D 76% (n=57) patients achieved complete remission, with no remission in group C.

Conclusion: Our findings tentatively suggest that FFD-HTP is beneficial in achieving T2DM remission in Indian population. A one-year post-intervention follow-up is underway to understand the long-term effects of the intervention.