Type 2 diabetes: How to REVERSE deadly condition in 4 proven ways
TYPE 2 diabetes is a lifelong and sometimes deadly condition.
But for many, it can be reversed, even if not cured.
New research shows that reversal is more common than even doctors realised.
A study of people in Scotland showed that one in 20 with type 2 diabetes achieve remission, even without medical or surgical intervention.
Researchers said it was “higher than expected” and there could be many more people able to pull it off.
Diabetes remission is when someone’s blood sugar comes down to a healthy level and stays there for at least six months. Patients can come off medication.
Experts prefer to use the term “remission” rather than “reversal” because there is still the potential that it will come back.
Diabetes UK says there are still a lot of unknowns about how diabetes remission works.
However, the strongest evidence is that remission is best achieved by losing weight.
The charity says: “If you have obesity, you are more likely to put your diabetes into remission if you lose a substantial amount of weight – 15kg (or 2 stone 5lbs) – as quickly and safely as possible following your diagnosis.
“If you do want to start losing weight quickly to work towards remission, it's important to talk to a healthcare professional before you begin, to make sure it’s right for you. Also, you may need to reduce or stop any medications – insulin or sulphonylurea, for example – before you begin losing weight.
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“Rapid weight loss is not advised if you are a healthy weight, under 18, pregnant, breastfeeding or have ever been diagnosed with an eating disorder.”
The charity suggests the following ways proven for weight loss and type 2 diabetes reversal for some:
1. Low calorie diet
The best evidence for diabetes remission is for a low calorie diet that involves just 850 to 1,200 calories per day.
It normally involves drinking soups or shakes for 12 weeks before gradually reintroducing foods again.
Unsurprisingly, it is hard to eat this little for so long, and side effects include nausea and headaches.
But according to a leading study, funded by Diabetes UK, a low calorie diet can help a quarter of type 2 diabetes patients lose 15kg or more of weight, and put 86 per cent of those into remission.
The results of the trial mean the NHS is now trialling it across the UK.
There are a number of areas where patients can access the programme through the NHS.
Private companies also sell soup and shake diets or you can find books or programmes online.
But you have to talk to a doctor before starting one of these diets to make sure it is safe for you.
2. Mediterranean diet
Diabetes UK says some people go into remission by losing weight with a Mediterranean diet.
A Mediterranean diet focuses on fish, some dairy, eggs, lean protein like chicken, fruits, vegetables, beans and pulses, nuts and seeds, wholegrains and olive oil.
Red meat, processed foods and sugar is eaten in small amounts.
The diet of people around the Mediterranean sea is shown to be beneficial for anyone - but appears to be specifically helpful for those with type 2 diabetes.
It cuts back on foods that contribute to weight gain, like simple carbs, without being too restrictive. If a way of eating is easy, people will stick to it for longer.
It encourages foods that are good for blood sugar control, like wholegrains that are full of fibre.
In addition, the diet is known to be beneficial for the heart - and people with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk of heart disease.
Diabetes UK has a meal plan to help make eating a Mediterranean diet more simple.
3. Low-carb diet
Low-carb eating can be beneficial for those with type 2 diabetes and may help get to remission, perhaps with more evidence than Mediterranean.
“Generally, low-carb eating is when you reduce the total amount of carbs you consume in a day to less than 130g,” Diabetes UK says.
For reference, two medium slices of bread may be between 30 and 40g of carbs, while a large jacket potato is around 90g.
If you tried eating a low-carb diet, you’d focus more on proteins like fish, chicken or beans, fats like avocado, nuts and yoghurt and fruit and vegetables for snacks.
You’d have to closely monitor bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, pizza, sandwiches, bagels, biscuits, cakes, pastries and many other packaged foods.
The low-carb diet may work because out of the three main energy-providing macronutrients (protein, carbs and fats), carbs have the greatest impact in raising both blood sugar and insulin levels.
By cutting back on carb intake, it should help to bring down blood sugar and insulin levels.
People who see a drastic change in how many carbs they consume - and a move to a healthier diet generally - may also lose weight, which in itself will help towards remission.
4. Weight loss surgery
Weight loss surgery is when the stomach is made smaller, or restricted with a band, so that you eat less food and feel fuller quicker.
Although it will take time for the weight to come off, experts say blood sugar levels start dropping very soon after surgery.
Research has found it changes the way the digestive system works and how the gut uses glucose.
One study found that almost a third (30.4 per cent) of people who had surgery were in remission after 15 years.
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It may seem like a quick fix, but people who get weight loss surgery still have to learn to eat healthily for the rest of their life.
You can sometimes get surgery on the NHS if you meet certain criteria. Otherwise, it may cost some several thousand pounds privately.
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