Rationale and design of a parallel randomised trial of a plant‐based intensive lifestyle intervention for diabetes remission: The REmission of diabetes using a PlAnt ‐based weight loss InteRvention ( REPAIR ) trial

AIMS: As type 2 diabetes (T2D) continues to rise globally and remains a major driver of cardiovascular disease, its remission has emerged as a therapeutic target. Current evidence supports bariatric surgery and low-calorie diets with meal replacements. No clinical trial to date has evaluated plant-based dietary alternatives as an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) strategy, despite the emphasis on plant-based diets in current clinical practice guidelines for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The REmission of diabetes using a PlAnt-based weight loss InteRvention (REPAIR) trial will assess whether a 52-week plant-based ILI targeting ≥15% weight loss is effective for diabetes remission in a multi-ethnic Canadian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The REPAIR trial is a prospective, randomised, 2-arm, open-label, blinded-endpoint efficacy trial. Participants will include 160 adults with early T2D (