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Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Reversed


What Are Key Differences Between Type 1 Diabetes And Type 2 Diabetes

Q16: Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Reversed?

When comparing type 1 vs type 2 diabetes, there are a few major differences:

  • Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. You cant reverse type 1 diabetes, you can only manage it. Type 2 diabetes can be reversed with effective intervention and lifestyle changes.

  • In type 1 diabetes, your pancreas is unable to produce insulin, whereas in type 2 diabetes, your insulin production is limited, and the response of your body to that insulin is decreased.

  • A person with type 1 diabetes could die without their insulin medication. A person with type 2 diabetes should avoid treatment with insulin, unless their pancreas is completely failing.

What Should You Avoid

Dont fall for the advertising of any treatment that claims to be a magic bullet for type 2 diabetes. Such a cure simply does not exist, and the FDA has released warnings on certain products that claim to have these benefits.

Avoid dietary supplements, over-the-counter drugs, homeopathic products, and alternative medicines with these claims. They could mess with how your real medications work or even cause an overdose if you dont read the ingredients closely enough.

Health Benefits Of Reversing Diabetes

If you can achieve remission of your Type 2 diabetes, the health benefits are significant. Youll be at much less risk of developing cardiovascular disease, vision loss and kidney disease.


Wondering if you may be able to reverse your diabetes with weight loss? Talk to your healthcare provider about surgical and lifestyle options for helping you lose weight.

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I Want To Get Off My Diabetes Meds

Can diet, exercise, and weight-loss help a person with type 2 diabetes get off their medications?

The short answer is yessort of but not necessarily for everyone. According to a 2016 study published in Diabetes Care, approximately 40 percent of people with type 2 diabetes can reverse their condition through drastic changes in diet, exercise, and body weight.

Regardless, this leaves 60 percent of the type 2 population that cannot reverse diabetes through diet, exercise, and weight-loss alone because their body is struggling more so with beta-cell dysfunction rather than the more commonly known issue of insulin resistance which is usually associated with being overweight.


Clients with type 2 diabetes always ask: can I get off my diabetes meds? explains diabetes coach and owner of Diabetes Strong, Christel Oerum. The truth is that some people will be able to, and others wont.

Trying to determine who can and who cant is determined largely by trying.

You wont know until you try because theres no way to test each patient and pinpoint the exact cause of their diabetes, adds Oerum, who also lives with type 1 diabetes. Is it a genetically inherited insulin deficiency or is it insulin resistance from weight-gain, inactivity, and an unhealthy diet?

The answer isnt as simple as mainstream media has led us to believe.

Lets take a closer look at the difference between the two these causes of type 2 diabetes.


Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Reversed A Guide For You Or A Loved One

Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Reversed?

Jolie Wiener

Type 2 diabetes is a fairly common condition that millions suffer from every year. There is no cure as of today, but the symptoms can certainly be …

Type 2 diabetes is a fairly common condition that millions suffer from every year. There is no cure as of today, but the symptoms can certainly be reversed.

What do we mean by that? Diabetics genetic susceptibility to the condition will always exist, but its possible to return blood glucose back to normal levels even without medication.

This ideal state is known as remission. It can be complete, where the blood sugar returns to healthy ranges, or partial, where it returns to levels before a patient becomes diagnosed with diabetes. Theres also prolonged remission, where blood tests confirm regular glucose levels without type 2 diabetes medicine for five years or more.

Achieving remission is possible with the help of a physician. While the symptoms may return in the future, the goal is to live in the long-term without facing the health problems related to diabetes.


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Is Type 2 Diabetes Reversible

Type 2 diabetes is a serious, long-term medical condition. It develops mostly in adults but is becoming more common in children as the rate at which people are developing obesity rises across all age groups.

Several factors contribute to type 2 diabetes. Being overweight or having obesity are the biggest risk factors.

Type 2 diabetes can be life-threatening. But if treated carefully, it can be managed or even reversed.

Healthline has partnered with Profile by Sanford to bring you more information about how to manage diabetes for better health through diet, exercise, and more.


Treatment for type 2 diabetes includes:

  • monitoring your blood sugar levels
  • using medications or insulin when needed

Doctors also recommend losing weight through diet and exercise. Some diabetes medications have weight loss as a side effect, which can also help to treat or manage diabetes.

To help manage your diabetes try:

Weight loss is the primary factor in those who have experienced a reversal of type 2 diabetes, as excess fat in the body affects the production of insulin and how its used.

In a small 2011 study, 11 people with type 2 diabetes drastically reduced their caloric intake for 8 weeks, reversing the course of their condition. Researchers noted that this is a small sample, and the participants had lived with the condition for only a few years.


What Are The Early Signs Of Kidney Disease In Patients With Diabetes

The earliest sign of diabetic kidney disease is an increased excretion of albumin in the urine. This is present long before the usual tests done in your doctors office show evidence of kidney disease, so it is important for you to have this test on a yearly basis. Weight gain and ankle swelling may occur. You will use the bathroom more at night. Your blood pressure may get too high. As a person with diabetes, you should have your blood, urine and blood pressure checked at least once a year. This will lead to better control of your disease and early treatment of high blood pressure and kidney disease. Maintaining control of your diabetes can lower your risk of developing severe kidney disease.

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Reversing Type 2 Diabetes With Lifestyle Changes

But theres good news. Insulin resistance, prediabetes, and Type 2 diabetes are reversible diseases. If youre diagnosed with these conditions, improve your outlook by considering them an opportunity to reclaim your health.

Steps to reverse Type 2 diabetes and its related conditions include these lifestyle changes:


  • Keeping track of your blood sugar levels
  • Exercising regularly
  • Losing weight to attain a healthier body weight
  • Quitting smoking if you smoke
  • Avoiding alcohol and other beverages high in sugar

The dietary changes should include cutting out processed foods and eating more whole foods, especially fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes, and healthy fats, like avocados, nuts and seeds.

For most people with Type 2 diabetes, the best treatment involves making the essential lifestyle changes described above. We work with you to create a realistic plan for adopting a healthy diet and incorporating regular physical activity in manageable steps.

Although these lifestyle interventions work well for most people with Type 2 diabetes, some people need medication or insulin. Whether or not your personalized treatment plan includes these added interventions, we monitor your condition and help you manage or reverse the disease.

To learn more about diabetes management and how we can help you reverse Type 2 diabetes, contact our Aventura or Hollywood, Florida, offices to schedule an appointment.

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What About Type 1 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes Can Be Reversed with Low Carb Diet

Type 1 diabetes, or juvenile diabetes, is similar to Type 2 but mainly develops during childhood. Type 1 patients cannot maintain sufficient insulin levels and must inject it directly to make use of blood glucose.

Causes are still unclear, but the risk factors actually do not include weight but rather:

  • Age. Type 1 often appears between the ages of 4 and 7 and between 10 and 14. Type 1 is also known as juvenile diabetes for this reason, though it certainly can develop at any age.
  • Location. The father you are from the equator, the more likely you are to contract type 1 diabetes.
  • Family medical history. Genetics plays a role in risk analysis. If your parent or sibling has type 1 diabetes, you have an increased risk of getting it as well.
  • There is currently no proven method for reversing type 1 diabetes, as its an autoimmune disease. Researchers are still making progress on this topic, but basic treatments are still effective for now.

    The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are similar to type 2 , but the treatments for it are considerably different. For instance, the ketogenic diet mentioned before does not have any conclusive evidence to back up its effectiveness for type 1 diabetes. Consult with a physician if you have type 1.

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    Nancy L Schwartz Rd Lmnt Cde

    I do not believe it can be an actual reversal, more of a remission. If no longer needing medication to control blood sugar looks like reversal it is only possible if the person maintains regular exercise and a healthy weight. The length of time one has diabetes plays a role as does ones genes. There are some thin people who have type 2 diabetes due to heredity.

    Weight and lifestyle are things that can be changed, and they are important parts of overall health. If one can manage on lifestyle alone thats great, but if medication is necessary, the person should take advantage of the treatment thats going to keep blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol in check. They are ALL important.

    How To Lower Blood Sugar With Diet

    What happens if you remove foods that raise your blood sugar from your diet? Is there anything good left to eat? We think so. In fact, we have a whole guide on the best foods to control diabetes.

    But a picture is worth a thousand words. These are just a few of the delicious foods that dont raise blood sugar for just about everyone:

    Many people with type 2 diabetes are now choosing a diet based primarily on low-carb foods, and many clinicians are catching on as well.14


    A person with type 2 diabete will often notice that, starting with the first meal, their blood sugar improves. The need for medications, especially insulin, is usually dramatically reduced. Substantial weight loss and health marker improvements often follow.15 Finally, people usually feel better and have more energy and alertness. 16

    Choosing foods low in carbs is an effective way to help you control your blood sugar and is safe for most people. However, if you are taking medications for your diabetes, you must work with your healthcare provider to adjust your medications when you change your diet since the need for medications, especially insulin, may be greatly reduced.17

    If you are looking for a doctor who will work with you to control your diabetes with a change in diet, our map may help you find one.

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    Whats The Difference Between Type 1 And Lada

    The main difference between type 1 diabetes and type 1.5 diabetes is the speed and strength of the autoimmune condition.


    Type 1 diabetes is a fast-progressing, strong autoimmune condition which results in a near complete loss of insulin production between 12-18 months on average. Patients with type 1 diabetes often test positive for multiple antibodies to beta cell proteins.

    Type 1.5 diabetes is a slow-progressing, weaker autoimmune condition which results in a decline in insulin production that may take years to develop. Patients with type 1.5 diabetes often test positive for a single antibody to beta cell proteins.

    As we mentioned above, identifying these conditions through the onset of their symptoms can be difficult. However, both adult-onset type 1 diabetes and LADA/type 1.5 diabetes can be effectively identified with two decisive tests: the C-peptide test, and a diabetes antibody panel.

    Adult Onset Type 1 Diabetes Risk Factors

    Can type 2 diabetes be reversed

    Currently, the exact risk factors of type 1 diabetes, adult-onset or not, are unclear.

    Its known that type 1 diabetes autoimmunity begins with molecular mimicry, a tactic used by various bacteria and viruses to evade detection by disguising themselves as mammalian proteins.


    This causes a form of biological friendly fire, in which your body mistakenly characterizes proteins on the surface of insulin-producing beta cells as foreign pathogens, and attacks them.

    Recent research has connected the risk of developing type 1 diabetes to introduction of cows milk protein at a young age, contracting certain enteroviruses, and possibly mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis , but these exact connections require further investigation.

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    Diabetes Reversal Vs Remission Vs Cure

    The world has long hoped for a cure for diabetes. The idea of diabetes remission or reversal, though, is so new that the scientific community hasnt yet reached full consensus on the finer details of what remission and reversal meanor even whether to call it remission or reversal, which are used interchangeably. The term cure isnt used with type 2 diabetes, because even if you send it into reversal or remission, it can reoccur if you dont continue to manage it.

    Most researchers agree that remission or reversal occurs when your A1C test results consistently come back under the diabetes threshold of 6.5 percentor 200 mg/dL, if youre used to the measurement your blood sugar monitor useswithout the use of glycemic control diabetes medications.

    As more evidence comes to light pointing to the possibility of reversal, an expert panel of experts has defined more specific terms like partial and complete reversal/remission:

    • Partial remission occurs when your A1C remains below 6.5 percent for one year without the use of diabetes medications.
    • Complete remission occurs when your A1C remains below 5.7 percent for one year without the use of diabetes medications.

    Heres a summary of the evidence the reviewers found for the reversal of type 2 diabetes through bariatric surgery, carbohydrate restriction, or a short-term, low-calorie eating pattern.

    Diet And Lifestyle Changes

    While obesity and overweight are caused by a complex set of factors on their own, taking steps to shed pounds if youre not at an ideal weight may help your type 2 diabetes management.

    A lot of times patients think its a futile effort, like whatever they do is not going to matter, says Patricia Happel, DO, associate professor and associate medical director at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, New York. What I try to do is empower them and educate them about what they can do to manage it, and hopefully, reverse it.

    Dr. Happel says that if your A1C is below 8, you may have a chance of returning to a normal blood sugar level, provided you make and maintain healthier eating, exercise, and lifestyle habits. As A1C increases, its harder to return to a normal blood sugar level without medical intervention.

    Jordana Turkel, RD, CDCES, of Park Avenue Endocrinology and Nutrition in New York City, has also seen people go into remission from type 2 diabetes if they act early enough. Typically its done with a very low-carb diet, a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise a week, with a combination of cardiovascular and strength training, as well as follow-up with both myself and the doctor, she says. Underscoring that remission doesnt mean the diabetes wont come back, she adds, Even if their numbers are in check, frequent follow-up is important.

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    Start With A Healthy Diet

    The one change that may have the biggest impact on your ability to manage or reverse type 2 diabetes is related to your diet. Reduce the amount of sugar and simple carbohydrates you eat and drink. Eat mostly lean protein , a variety of vegetables and fruit, whole grains and healthful fats . One simple way to make meals healthier is to fill half your plate with vegetables or fruit. Then, add whole grains to one quarter of your plate and lean meat to the other quarter.

    While some foods to avoid are obvious, such as sugary drinks and cookies, others may surprise you. These foods are high in carbohydrates and should be limited or avoided:

    • White rice
    • White bread
    • Flavored yogurt

    How Does Type 2 Diabetes Affect My Body

    Reversing Type 2 diabetes starts with ignoring the guidelines | Sarah Hallberg | TEDxPurdueU

    The foods you eat fuel your body by converting the sugar, or glucose, in them into energy. To make this happen, your pancreas produces insulin, which serves as a key that unlocks the conversion process.

    When you have diabetes, your body either cant make or cant use insulin. This means your body cant convert glucose, causing sugar levels in your blood to rise. This can lead to many problematic health issues, including coma and death.

    Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are the most common ways this disease manifests. But only about 5% of people have Type 1 diabetes. This type of diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that stops your body from making insulin and isnt reversible.

    Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, isnt an autoimmune disease. Its the result of several factors, including your lifestyle and genes. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, people with Type 2 diabetes can make insulin but are resistant to it, meaning their body cant use the hormone effectively.

    This inability to use the insulin your body produces causes chronically high levels of blood glucose, which trigger your pancreas to make even more insulin. Over time, your insulin becomes less and less effective, eventually causing diabetes.

    While Type 1 diabetes usually comes on suddenly, it takes time for Type 2 diabetes to develop. People generally move from being insulin-resistant to prediabetic before developing full-blown diabetes.

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