Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Reversed?

Type 2 diabetes is a serious, chronic disorder that, if left untreated, can become life-threatening. It affects over 30 million Americans and is theΒ seventh leading cause of death in the USA. There is no known cure for diabetes, but making certain smart lifestyle changes can bring your blood sugar levels back down into the normal range. You cannot βreverseβ type 2 diabetes in the sense of curing it, but when you are able to lower and balance your blood sugar over the long-run, many people refer to that as βreversing your type 2 diabetes.β
What is type 2 diabetes and what is the definition of its reversal?
Type 2 diabetesΒ (otherwise known as non-insulin dependent diabetes) is a chronic metabolic disorder where your pancreas either isnβt producing enough insulin (the hormone regulating the movement of sugar to the cells), or the insulin that it does produce isnβt working as it should. As such, the fuel that keeps us energized (sugar) builds up in the bloodstream, instead of flowing to power your vital organs. This unbalance of blood sugar levels is called hyperglycemia.
If you are able to get yourΒ HbA1cΒ β the average blood sugar level over the course of two to three months,Β below 42 mmol/mol (6%)Β without taking diabetes medication, many would consider you to be in βdiabetes remission.β If you can keep your HbA1c there, your type 2 diabetesβ¦ thatβs when some people will consider your diabetes to be fully reversed.Β
Want to learn more about how to balance your glucose levels through foods? Check out thisΒ blog post.
How you can βreverse' your type 2 diabetes
In our last blog post, we discussed the factors that can cause the development of type 2 diabetes. And while you cannot eliminate a genetic predisposition to the disorder from your DNA, you can make changes to some of the lifestyle choices that put you at risk for type 2 diabetes in the first place: being overweight, not exercising and making poor nutritional choices.
Lose weight to improve your type 2 diabetes
Weight lossΒ is the primary factor in the reversal of type 2 diabetes, as excess body fat directly correlates with the pancreasβ production of insulin and its efficacy in metabolizing sugar. This is most often seen inΒ morbidly-obeseΒ people with diabetes who undergo procedures such as bariatric surgery to lose weight. However, when combined with regular exercise and better meal planning, as will be discussed below, weight loss can help you better control your blood sugar, even without having to take medication. Shedding a few pounds can help you shed the daily burden of type 2 diabetes.Β
Get moving to get reversing
Not only willΒ exercisingΒ help you lose weight, but it will also get your cellular metabolism moving, which will help you better process the sugars you ingest. And when sugars donβt get stuck floating around your bloodstream, your blood glucose levels can balance out and you can kiss your elevated glucose levels goodbye.Β
Eat better to live better
Changing your dietΒ might seem like a tall order, but if its result is the reversal of your type 2 diabetes, it just might be worth the effort. Hereβs what you need to do:
- Reduce your daily caloric intake
- Consume foods with a lower glycemic index
- Ensure you eat the same amount of complex carbs at each meal
- Limit alcohol and sugar
- Introduce whole grains, healthy fats, lean protein, and fresh produce
- Drink lots of water
Bottom line
Losing 5% to 10% of yourΒ body weight, working out for up to 150 minutes a week and making smarter nutritional choices may help reverse your type 2 diabetes.Β
If you would like to talk to people who can support you on your diabetes journey, we recommend joining ourΒ Facebook Community Group.