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Type 2 diabetes is widely recognized as a chronic condition for which there is no known cure. However, there is growing evidence that it may be possible for some people to reverse the condition, wherein it goes into remission. This means that you will no longer have symptoms of diabetes, but you will still have a risk of relapse. So, is type 2 diabetes reversible in reality and how is this possible?
Is Type 2 Diabetes Reversible?
Although most health care experts are reluctant to use the term diabetes reversal, some studies show that type 2 diabetes may be reversible in some cases. However, this is better described as remission.
This refers to a state wherein an individual diagnosed with diabetes is able to control blood sugar levels with healthy diet and lifestyle changes alone. Some of these changes include strict dietary practices with low glycemic foods, increased levels of activity, and weight loss if overweight. As such individuals no longer need to take medications or insulin to treat their condition, it is described as remission.
Unfortunately, most type 2 diabetes patients will need to also take medications or insulin in addition to making such lifestyle changes.
How Do You Know If Diabetes Is Reversed?
Diabetes is said to be reversed or in remission, when individuals are able to restore healthy blood sugar levels with diet therapy, exercise, and weight control alone, eliminating the need for any diabetes medications. For such individuals, lifestyle interventions are effective enough to allow their bodies to produce and utilize insulin effectively enough to control blood sugar levels.
For your diabetes to be categorized in remission, it needs to meet certain criteria:
Normal A1c and fasting blood sugar levels for an entire year without the use of any diabetes medications. This is described as complete remission. However, because the risk of relapse and complications may still be present, you will still need to undergo regular checkups for blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as well as health checks for kidney and eye problems.
When A1c and fasting blood sugar levels are kept in the normal range for a period of 5 years or longer without the use of any diabetes medications, it is described as prolonged remission. In such cases, you would still need to undergo routine health checks that look at blood sugar and cholesterol levels, heart, eye, kidney, health, and other problems. However, these checks will be less frequent as compared to those for diabetic patients.
Is My Type 2 Diabetes Reversible?
Type 2 diabetes is reversible or can be sent into remission in the early stages, so it depends on how early your condition is diagnosed. In case of early diagnosis or prediabetes, significant weight loss through diet and lifestyle changes can support changes in liver and pancreatic function that supports the body’s insulin system. Unfortunately, there is no way to know for sure whether it will be possible to reverse diabetes, as some people respond better to such interventions than others and researchers still don’t understand why.
The chances of reversing diabetes or sending it into remission are much lower as diabetes enters more advanced stages, as your body may no longer be able to produce insulin.
How Can I Reverse Type 2 Diabetes?
If you are serious about reversing type 2 diabetes or sending it into remission, you need to adhere strictly to the advice of your doctors. This means making every effort to control blood sugar levels using lifestyle interventions and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels. These are the same steps that you would need to follow to manage diabetes effectively:
Eat Healthy – Follow a balanced diet with low carbs, more protein and healthy fats, strictly limiting processed foods, while focusing on whole foods.
Low Glycemic Diet – In addition to varied nutrition, make sure that you pick foods with a low glycemic value to help keep blood sugar levels in check.
Exercise – Physical activity is known to support not just weight loss, but also insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, helping control blood sugar levels and reducing dependence on medications.
A1c Testing – Talk to your doctor about the frequency of testing as this type of test allows you to understand average blood sugar levels over a range of few months.
Don’t Neglect Health Checks – Continue to work closely with your doctor and don’t avoid regular health checks as some risks remain elevated even if diabetes is sent into remission.
Whether you are able to bring your type 2 diabetes into remission or not, the healthy lifestyle changes that are recommended for diabetes treatment need to be sustained for the long term to avoid the risk of a relapse.
