Type 2 diabetes is the more common type of diabetes mellitus and is usually observed in people over 45 years of age. However, in recent years, there have been reports of the younger generation getting affected.
Your pancreas has beta cells that produce insulin which helps your body utilise the sugar molecules in your blood. In type 2 diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, and the metabolic cells in your body become less sensitive or insensitive to insulin. This leads to over-accumulation of sugars in your blood.
Send Your Diabetes into Remission
Now that you know what causes diabetes, another major question is, can diabetes be cured? The simple answer is no. To date, there is no proven cure for diabetes. However, research has shown that you can reverse your diabetes and maintain a balanced state of normal blood sugar levels.
How? Let’s see!
1. Weight Loss Is the Key
Losing weight has been most effective in diabetes reversal program, among others. Research on this topic continues, but there have been some important findings.
- When you lose weight, the amount of fats in your liver and pancreas decreases. This helps the beta cells of your pancreas in better insulin production. Also, your liver cells would be able to metabolise sugar more efficiently. Losing weight also indirectly affects the working of your hormones which in turn helps in your diabetes remission.
- Count Your Calories. Your diet plays a major role in controlling diabetes. It is common knowledge that people with diabetes have a low to no-sugar diet. But very few people are aware that calorie count is equally necessary. It helps you lose weight and enhances your overall health, which could contribute to your diabetes reversal. It is best to consult with a professional dietician and get your diet plan ready. Remember not to go overboard with a crash diet. Include seasonal and healthy diabetes-friendly fruits like kiwi, oranges, and peaches. Eating timely is the key here.
- Keep Your Body Moving. If you plan to lose weight solely through diet, you might not get the desired results. Exercising and following a well-planned diet is the best way to attain weight loss goals. If you don’t exercise regularly, begin with short walks, jogs, or warm-up exercises. Increase the intensity and time spent on exercise over the next couple of weeks. Remember not to overexert yourself and take proper rest.
2. Bariatric Surgeries Might Help
If you are obese, weight loss could be a long and, sometimes, near-impossible journey. Bariatric surgeries or weight loss surgeries might be of help here. Procedures like gastric bypass induce changes to your digestive system. In most people with obesity and diabetes, the blood glucose levels were observed to shift closer to the normal range after having undergone bariatric surgery.
3. Seek Professional Advice
Diabetes reversal programs are personalised for every individual. Hence, there is a high chance that one person’s diet and exercise plan would differ greatly from that of someone else. This makes it necessary for you to have the guidance of a medical professional throughout your remission journey.
The healthcare provider would look after your diet, exercise routine, and lifestyle habits and let you know what’s working.
Can Diabetes Be Cured? Beware Of Myths!
Can diabetes be cured? No. To date, no medication or therapy has been discovered to increase insulin production or insulin sensitivity in your body. However, you can reverse diabetes by lowering your blood sugar levels to normal and maintaining them there. There are several myths surrounding this topic. To distinguish between right and wrong, you need to know a few points:
- No medication or therapy to date is known to cure diabetes.
- While recently diagnosed diabetes is more easily controlled, long-term diabetes can be reversed as well.
- After attaining normal HbA1C levels, you must keep it under control through a less restricted but healthy diet and exercise.
The Big Picture
Diabetes reversal programs involve simple and defined steps like proper diet and balanced exercise that help you keep your diabetes in check. Maintaining this remission requires determination, dedication, and expert guidance. Research and studies have shown that weight loss is the major determining factor. While a healthy diet and regular exercise are must-haves in this process, making small lifestyle changes like reducing stress and maintaining a balanced sleep cycle would also go a long way.
