MUSSELBURGH MSP Colin Beattie is celebrating after he cured his diabetes by following a strict diet.

The politician decided to take control of his condition after reading about a diet which, it was claimed, could reverse the disease if it had been caused by weight gain.

And after eight weeks of following a strict 800 calories a day regime, Mr Beattie has been told he no longer suffers from the Type 2 Diabetes which he has lived with for several years.

The politician said: “When I look at the handful of pills I had to take every day, and no longer need, it is astonishing. Everyone needs to know about this diet.

“It may not work for all but for many diabetes sufferers this could be the cure to a devastating disease.” The diet has been produced by research at the University of Newcastle, which discovered some people who developed Type 2 Diabetes could reverse the disease by losing weight.

People who can benefit from the diet must have at least 15kg to lose and have had the condition for less than four years.

The body, starved of calories, begins to burn the excess fat surrounding the liver and pancreas, which can cause the illness.

Mr Beattie lost 19kg following the eight-week diet, and was monitored by his GP throughout.

He said: “Diabetes is such a massive problem in Scotland and for the NHS.

“Eight weeks might seem a long time, and it certainly did at the start of the diet, but it is really nothing when the result can be a lifetime of good health.

“If this diet can reverse the condition for some, and it clearly has for me, then it is essential it is looked into. I want to get the word out about it, as it has made a huge difference to my life, and could for others.” The diet involves meal replacements, which are created to provide the essential minerals and vitamins needed in a daily diet, as well as low-calories meals.

The meal replacements make up 600 calories, with the additional calories coming from non-starchy vegetables in the form of soups or salads.

Only water or calorie-free drinks are allowed during the regime, which bans meat, dairy, fruit and alcohol.

Anyone taking part in the diet should see their GP beforehand.

A meal plan and details can be found on the University of Newcastle website.