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Can Diabetes Be Reversed?

This is considered a million-dollar question; every diabetic patient wants to know the answer. It’s difficult to answer this question in terms of yes or no.
Although there’s no cure for diabetes, studies show some people can reverse it. Through diet changes and weight loss, you may be able to reach and hold normal blood sugar levels without medication.
Type of Diabetes is Irreversible
Let us understand which type of diabetes is irreversible and which is reversible to get the answer to this question:
Some diabetes types are irreversible.
- Type-1 diabetes falls in the irreversible category as the body doesn’t produce insulin.
- Pancreatic diabetes is also another type of diabetes which falls under the irreversible diabetes category because the pancreas is damaged because of the consumption of alcohol or due to genetic abnormality.
- The third type of diabetes which falls under this category is LADA (Latent Autoimmune diabetes of adulthood). This is similar to type-1 diabetes, but its progression is slow compared to type-1.
- Genetic diabetes is also an irreversible kind of diabetes.
Reversible diabetes types: Type 2 diabetes is diabetes that makes insulin, but its cells don’t use it as well as they should. People with type 2 diabetes are said to have insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes is reversible in some cases, which include cases where patients have:
- High weight/obesity
- Insulin resistance
- Age-related diabetes: You must have seen ads on social media promising to get rid of diabetes in 4-5 days, which is always true. Reversing diabetes is not an easy task, but it’s possible in a scientific way.
Ways to reduce diabetes in a scientific way
Weight loss- reducing weight can help in reversing diabetes. Two ways by which we can reduce the weight are:
Bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery reduces the size of the stomach and intestines, and 50-70% of people have been diabetes-free for 5-10 years.
This doesn’t mean the diabetes is completely cured, but it’s in the remission phase. But if these patients start gaining weight and commence their earlier eating habits, then they will have diabetes.
Bariatric surgery is a major surgery with its cons and complications.
Dietary Modifications
Dietary modifications involve patients eating a low-carbohydrate or low-calorie diet, and patients are given a 600-800-calorie diet with low carbohydrate content. If the patient can reduce 20% of their body weight, then there are chances to reverse diabetes.
Also, along with diet, there are high chances if patients follow a regular exercise routine. This type of diet is extreme. It means working with a professional and controlling how many calories you eat.
But the chance it could send you into remission may motivate you to stick to it.
How does diabetes get reversed?
Fat deposits over the liver and pancreas are removed when weight is reduced. This helps increase insulin sensitivity in the body, which helps reduce diabetes.
According to studies, diabetes can be reversed in 2-5 years. This doesn’t mean you’re completely cured. Diabetes is an ongoing disease.
Even if you’re in remission, which means you aren’t taking medication and your blood sugar levels stay in a healthy range, there’s always a chance that symptoms will return. However, some people can go years without trouble controlling their glucose and the health concerns that come with diabetes.
The reason for the relapse of diabetes is that sometimes, the patient is not able to maintain the weight. If the patient has diabetes, do not lose hope; consult a doctor. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, always talk to your doctor before starting any new treatment and management options.
Your doctor can help you develop the best plan to address your healthcare needs. Control your weight. There are chances that your diabetes might be reversed for some years. Even if it does not, your medication requirement will be controlled.
FAQs
Can diabetes be cured entirely?
No, diabetes currently has no cure. However, for some individuals, it’s possible to reverse type 2 diabetes through significant lifestyle changes, resulting in remission.
What types of diabetes are irreversible?
Type 1 diabetes, pancreatic diabetes, LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults), and genetic diabetes are considered irreversible as they involve insulin production deficiencies or pancreatic damage.
How can weight loss help in managing diabetes?
Weight loss can help reduce insulin resistance, especially in type 2 diabetes patients. Bariatric surgery or controlled low-calorie diets can sometimes lead to remission, although they are not permanent cures.
What role does diet play in reversing diabetes?
Diet, exceptionally low-calorie or low-carb plans, can help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce body weight, potentially leading to diabetes remission in type 2 diabetes cases.
Is diabetes remission the same as a cure?
No, remission means blood sugar levels are normal without medication, but diabetes can relapse. Maintaining lifestyle changes is crucial to sustaining remission for an extended period.
About Author
Dr. Milind Patil
Endocrinologist
Contact: +91 88888 22222
Email – ask@sahyadrihospitals.com
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