The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a plant-based intensive lifestyle intervention can achieve remission of diabetes. It will also learn if a plant-based intensive lifestyle intervention can achieve weight loss ≥15% of initial body weight.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* What proportion of participants achieved diabetes remission (normal blood sugar for at least 3 months without medication)?
* What proportion of participants achieved ≥15% weight loss from their initial weight?
* What is the impact on weight, body composition, blood pressure, blood sugars, cholesterol and inflammation levels?
Researchers will compare the plant-based intensive lifestyle intervention to the current standard of care.
Participants will be randomly placed into one of two groups:
1. Standard of care, where they will continue their usual diabetes care with their health care providers
2. Plant-based intensive lifestyle intervention, where they will follow a diet and exercise program
Participants in the standard of care will:
* Continue with their usual diabetes care for 12 months
* Attend clinic visits on 5 occasions over the 12 months
* Allow study staff to take measurements (e.g. weight, blood pressure)
* Provide blood samples
* Track their food and exercise and complete questionnaires
Participants in the plant-based intensive lifestyle intervention will:
* Follow a plant-based low calorie diet for 3 months followed by a calorie-balanced plant-based diet for 9 months
* Participate in a 16-week exercise program
* Attend clinic visits every 2-4 weeks over the 12 months
* Allow study staff to take measurements (e.g. weight, blood pressure)
* Provide blood sample
* Track their food and exercise and complete questionnaires