How You Can Reverse Type 2 Diabetes with Diet Changes

If you’ve been told you have type 2 diabetes, you might feel lost and unsure of what to do next. The good news is, you can reverse type 2 diabetes with diet changes and lifestyle tweaks. By working to lower your blood sugar and improve how your body uses insulin, you can manage your diabetes and maybe even stop it from coming back.

More than 34 million Americans live with diabetes, and about 90-95% of them have type 2 diabetes¹. Also, around 88 million people have prediabetes, which can lead to type 2 diabetes¹. But, making healthy changes in your life, like eating better and exercising, can help manage or even reverse type 2 diabetes for some¹.

Eating healthy can help manage type 2 diabetes. This means eating less sugar and simple carbs, and more lean proteins, veggies, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats¹. Stay away from white rice, white bread, flavored yogurt, sweetened cereal, and fruit juice¹. Adding exercise to your routine, like 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of hard exercise a week, can also help fight prediabetes or type 2 diabetes¹.

Remember, changing your diet can really help reverse type 2 diabetes, but some people might still need medicine or insulin¹. It’s key to work with your doctor to create a plan that includes both healthy habits and medical care, if needed, for the best results.

Key Takeaways

Type 2 diabetes can be reversed through diet changes and lifestyle modifications
Lowering blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity are key to managing diabetes
Healthy eating habits, such as reducing sugar and simple carbohydrates, can aid in diabetes management
Regular physical activity, combined with dietary changes, can further combat type 2 diabetes
Some individuals may still require medication or insulin in addition to lifestyle changes

Understanding Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a condition that affects how your body uses glucose for energy. It’s the most common type of diabetes, making up about 95% of all cases². In this type, your body doesn’t respond well to insulin, a hormone that controls blood sugar levels.

Many things can lead to type 2 diabetes. Carrying extra weight, especially around the stomach, is a big factor². People over 40 and certain groups like black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander are at higher risk³. Your genes can also play a part, as it often runs in families².

What you eat and do can affect your risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Eating too much sugar, fried foods, fatty foods, simple carbs, and processed foods can up your risk². But eating more veggies, fruits, lean meats, and fiber can lower your risk².

To manage type 2 diabetes, you need to keep your glucose levels in check. This can be done through lifestyle changes like losing weight and changing your habits³. Losing 7 to 10 percent of your body weight can really help improve insulin resistance and manage diabetes³. Regular exercise and eating right are also key to preventing and managing diabetes².

There’s no cure for type 2 diabetes, but you can go into remission. Remission means your glucose levels get back to normal or pre-diabetes levels³. Many people get into remission by losing a lot of weight, even through surgery³. But it’s important to work with doctors to make a safe plan to manage your diabetes and aim for remission.

The Role of Weight Loss in Reversing Diabetes

Weight loss is key to reversing type 2 diabetes, especially since being overweight is a big risk factor. In the U.S., over 40 percent of people are obese, and obesity links to half of new type 2 diabetes cases⁴. Losing weight can make insulin work better, reduce inflammation, and lower blood sugar. These changes help with diabetes remission.

Studies Show Significant Weight Loss Can Lead to Remission

Many studies show that losing a lot of weight helps with diabetes remission. A review found that bariatric surgery can help type 2 diabetes⁵. After a year, 64 percent of obese, type 2 diabetic patients who had gastric bypass surgery were in remission⁴. Also, almost half of those who lost about 30 pounds on a six-month diet plan didn’t need medication anymore⁴.

Comparing bariatric surgery to medical therapy for diabetes showed surgery was better⁵. A study looked at surgery versus medical therapy for five years. It showed weight loss is key in managing diabetes⁵.

Losing Weight Early After Diagnosis Is Key

When it comes to reversing type 2 diabetes, losing weight early is important. A study found that starting weight loss early helps a lot⁵. Being obese makes getting type 2 diabetes at least six times more likely, no matter your genes⁴. So, starting a weight loss plan right after getting diagnosed is crucial for remission.

Weight loss, whether through surgery or lifestyle changes, is the most crucial factor in achieving remission of Type 2 diabetes⁴.

By focusing on losing a lot of weight, either through surgery or lifestyle changes, people with type 2 diabetes can reverse the condition. Eating healthy, moving more, and getting professional advice can help you reach your weight loss goals. This could lead to diabetes remission.

Low-Calorie Diets for Diabetes Reversal

Low-calorie diets are a key way to help people with type 2 diabetes. They focus on eating fewer calories to lose weight. This is important for improving insulin sensitivity and possibly putting diabetes into remission. These diets usually have 800-1200 calories a day, with less than 800 calories being very low-calorie diets⁶.

For weight maintenance, adults need about 2,500 calories a day. But for type 2 diabetes remission, people start with 800 calories a day for 12 weeks⁶. Studies show that low-calorie diets can lead to significant weight loss. This is key for type 2 diabetes remission⁶.

Very Low-Calorie Diets (VLCDs) and Their Effectiveness

VLCDs have shown great results for type 2 diabetes reversal. These diets give about 625-850 calories a day, mostly from liquids, for 2-5 months. In a study, 46% of people who ate 830 calories a day for three to five months went into remission⁷. Those who followed the diet lost an average of 10kg⁷.

More than two-thirds of the study’s participants could stop taking diabetes and blood pressure meds after the diet⁷. 24% of the diet group lost 15kg or more, while none in the usual care group did. Diabetes remission was seen in 46% of the diet group, compared to 4% in the usual care group⁷.

Some people have also reversed their diabetes by eating around 1,200 calories a day⁶. Better sticking to the diet led to more weight loss and a higher chance of diabetes remission⁷. In the diet group, 74% didn’t need diabetes meds again, and 68% stopped taking blood pressure tablets⁷.

Working with Professionals for Safe and Sustainable Results

While low-calorie diets and VLCDs can help with diabetes reversal, it’s important to be careful and get professional advice. Before changing your diet, especially if you’re on insulin or other diabetes meds, talk to a healthcare team⁶. They can help create a safe and effective diet plan for you⁶.

Working with a healthcare team ensures the diet is effective and can be kept up over time. They can check on your progress, make changes, and offer support. With medical help and your commitment, you can greatly improve your chances of reversing type 2 diabetes through low-calorie diets safely.

Research by Lim et al. (2011) showed that type 2 diabetes can be reversed with less fat in the pancreas and liver, and better insulin production⁸. Umphonsathien et al. (2019) found that a very-low-calorie diet helped obese type 2 diabetes patients improve their diabetes control and even reverse it⁸.

Many studies have proven that low-calorie diets and lifestyle changes help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight and get better health outcomes⁸. Research by Terranova et al. (2014), Franz et al. (2015), and Gregg et al. (2012) showed that these lifestyle changes can lead to weight loss and even diabetes remission⁸. This highlights the need for a full approach that includes diet, exercise, and professional support to reverse type 2 diabetes.

Adopting a Healthy, Balanced Diet

Following a healthy, balanced diet is a key way to manage and even reverse type 2 diabetes. Research shows that 37% of people got their diabetes under control by eating a diet full of whole foods⁹. This diet focuses on lean proteins like poultry, fish, and beans. It also includes lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains such as brown rice and quinoa.

Focusing on Lean Protein, Vegetables, Fruits, and Whole Grains

Eating plant-based foods helps improve how well insulin works and makes you feel full, which helps you stick to your diet⁹. Whole grains and legumes also help control blood sugar levels by making insulin work better⁹. Foods like nuts, seeds, and pulses are important for a plant-based diet⁹.

Planning and preparing meals can help you eat more whole and plant-based foods⁹. Try cooking grains and vegetables ahead of time. Also, keep chopped fruits ready for quick snacks⁹.

Limiting Simple Carbohydrates and Sugary Foods

To keep blood sugar in check, cut down on foods with simple carbs and sugars. These include:

White rice and white bread
Flavored yogurt
Sweetened cereals
Fruit juices
Sugary snacks and desserts

Switch these with healthier options like whole grain bread, plain yogurt, and fresh fruits. This can help keep your blood sugar stable and improve your health.

Even with a healthy lifestyle, getting type 2 diabetes under control can be hard. This is because of genetics, age, and diabetes history⁹.

But, by eating well, staying active, and managing stress, people with type 2 diabetes can get better. Aim for 150 minutes of exercise each week to help control your blood sugar⁹.

The Impact of Physical Activity on Diabetes Management

Physical activity is key in managing and preventing type 2 diabetes. Regular exercise helps keep your weight healthy, makes your body more sensitive to insulin, and keeps your blood sugar in check¹⁰. A joint position statement from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Diabetes Association highlights exercise’s importance in managing type 2 diabetes¹⁰.

Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise each week. If you’re new to working out, start with small amounts and slowly increase them as you get more comfortable. Adding resistance training, like weightlifting, can also boost your metabolic health if you have type 2 diabetes¹⁰.

Other exercises like yoga and Tai Chi can also help control your blood sugar, improve balance, and enhance your life quality if you have type 2 diabetes¹⁰. Balance training is especially useful for older people with type 2 diabetes to lower the risk of falling¹⁰.

Exercise can lower your blood sugar for up to 24 hours by making your body more sensitive to insulin¹¹. To see the effects, check your blood sugar before and after exercising¹¹. But, if you use insulin or certain diabetes medicines, be careful not to get too low blood sugar if you don’t adjust your diet or medicine¹¹.

If you get low blood sugar during or after exercise, follow the 15-15 rule: eat 15-20 grams of carbs if your blood sugar is under 100 mg/dL, and check again every 15 minutes until it’s back up to 100 mg/dL¹¹.

Low blood sugar can happen during or even hours after exercise, especially if you’re on insulin, skip meals, exercise too long, or do hard activities¹¹. If you often get low blood sugar when exercising, talk to your doctor for a plan to help you, which might mean changing your medicine or having a snack before you exercise¹¹.

Adding exercise to your diabetes care plan can greatly improve your health. A study in JAMA in 2019 showed that a behavior change program helped people with type 2 diabetes stay active and cut down on sitting¹⁰. Another study in 2012 found that exercise was linked to lower death rates in people with diabetes¹⁰.

Activity	Duration	Frequency
Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise	150 minutes	Per week
Vigorous aerobic exercise	75 minutes	Per week
Resistance training	At least 2 sessions	Per week

By mixing different exercises into your routine and watching your blood sugar, you can manage your diabetes better and feel better overall. Always talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise plan, and be ready to treat low blood sugar during or after exercise.

Combining Diet and Exercise for Optimal Results

Combining diet and exercise is key to reversing type 2 diabetes. Exercise alone can help with blood sugar control, but losing enough weight might be hard. Yet, a calorie-reduced diet with more exercise can help over half of people get near-normal blood sugar levels without meds¹².

Aiming for 10,000 Steps a Day and Regular Moderate Exercise

To reverse type 2 diabetes, aim for 10,000 steps daily. Add at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise weekly. This can be brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, making it easy to fit into your day.

Cutting Calories While Increasing Physical Activity

Cutting calories is also key for diabetes remission. Losing 500-750 calories daily, with the right insulin and meds, can lead to success¹³. In the DIADEM-1 trial, lifestyle changes led to a 26-pound weight loss, boosting remission rates to 61%¹³.

The combination of diet and exercise is a powerful tool in the fight against type 2 diabetes. By making sustainable lifestyle changes, individuals can take control of their health and potentially achieve diabetes remission.

Everyone’s best approach to beating type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise is different. Working with health experts like dietitians and diabetes educators helps create plans that fit your needs. With effort and support, a healthy diet and regular exercise can greatly improve blood sugar control and health for those with type 2 diabetes.

Bariatric Surgery as a Treatment Option

For people with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes, bariatric surgery could be a good choice. This surgery helps with weight loss and can even help reverse type 2 diabetes¹⁴. Studies show it can lead to type 2 diabetes remission in up to 80% of patients¹⁵.

Types of Bariatric Surgery and Their Effectiveness

There are several types of bariatric surgery, each with its own pros and cons. Common procedures include:

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB)
Sleeve gastrectomy
Adjustable gastric banding
Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS)

Research shows Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy are better for long-term weight loss and diabetes remission¹⁵. A study found sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass differ in weight loss over 5 years¹⁵. The Swedish Obese Subjects Study showed big improvements in lifestyle and health risks 10 years after surgery¹⁴.

The table below shows how different surgeries compare in weight loss and diabetes remission:

Procedure	Weight Loss (%)	Diabetes Remission (%)
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass	60-80%	80-90%
Sleeve Gastrectomy	50-70%	60-80%
Adjustable Gastric Banding	40-50%	30-50%
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch	70-80%	90-95%

Criteria for Considering Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is not for everyone. To be a candidate, you must:

Have a BMI of 40 or higher, or be 35 or higher with obesity-related health issues like type 2 diabetes or heart disease
Not be able to lose weight through diet and exercise
Be ready to change your diet and lifestyle after surgery

It’s key to know that surgery works best for those with type 2 diabetes for 5 years or less and not on insulin according to Temple Health. Surgery can also help with metabolic syndrome after certain procedures.

Bariatric surgery is the top treatment for adult-onset diabetes, improving type 2 diabetes by 248–256%¹⁴.

If you’re thinking about bariatric surgery for your type 2 diabetes, talk to a healthcare expert. They can help you see if you’re a good candidate and discuss the risks and benefits.

Intermittent Fasting and Diabetes Reversal

Intermittent fasting is a method that involves not eating for certain periods. It’s seen as a way to reverse type 2 diabetes. With more people getting diabetes, finding ways to reverse it is key. In 1980, 108 million people had diabetes, and by 2021, that number jumped to 537 million¹⁶. Type 2 diabetes affects about 95% of diabetes cases¹⁶.

Now, 1 in 10 Americans has type 2 diabetes, making it a big health issue¹⁷. Studies show that fasting can help manage diabetes. In one study, 90% of people took less diabetes medicine, and 55% stopped taking it and kept it off for a year¹⁸. Also, 65% of those who stopped taking diabetes medicine had had diabetes for over 6 years¹⁸.

Another study found that 47.2% of people didn’t have diabetes after 3 months of fasting. In this group, 18 people didn’t need diabetes medicine anymore¹⁶.

Weight loss is a big part of why fasting works for diabetes. In one study, the fasting group lost an average of 5.93 kilograms, while the control group lost only 0.27 kilograms¹⁶. A trial with 75 people found that the fasting group lost 3.6% of their body weight in six months¹⁷.

“About 45% of people in the early stages of type 2 diabetes could reverse their condition by losing weight rapidly, equivalent to eating about one meal per day.” – Dr. Courtney Peterson¹⁶

But fasting does more than help with weight loss. Dr. Felicia Steger said it might make the pancreas work better and increase insulin sensitivity, even without weight loss¹⁶. Both fasting and calorie-restriction groups saw lower blood sugar levels without serious side effects¹⁷.

Experts say it’s best to tailor fasting to your body and what you like¹⁶. Dr. Saint Anthony Amofah suggests a 16-hour fasting period for type 2 diabetes patients¹⁶. Dr. Susan Renda thinks a few days a week of 16-hour fasting is best for diabetes patients¹⁶. But, it might not work for everyone, especially those with advanced diabetes¹⁶.

Fasting not only helps with blood sugar but also lowers the risk of diabetes-related diseases. It can even cut down on medication costs by 77% for diabetes patients¹⁸.

More research is needed to fully understand fasting’s long-term effects and safety for diabetes reversal. But, the current studies look promising. Combining fasting with a healthy diet and exercise could help manage diabetes and even reverse it.

Natural Therapies for Managing Stress and Diabetes

Managing stress is key for people with diabetes to keep their blood sugar in check. Natural therapies can help with stress management and improve overall health. These methods can make it easier to handle stress, which is good for diabetes care¹⁹.

Techniques like deep breathing, muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and biofeedback can reduce stress and help you relax. These are easy to add to your daily life and can help control blood sugar by easing the stress impact on your body¹⁹.

Certain foods like cinnamon, cloves, and fenugreek seeds can fight inflammation and help insulin work better¹⁹. American ginseng might also lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes¹⁹. Clove oil extracts can improve insulin function and reduce glucose levels¹⁹.

Eating foods high in magnesium can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes¹⁹. Vanadium, a mineral, can make insulin more effective in people with diabetes¹⁹.

Preliminary studies showed that Neem leaves could help control high blood sugar²⁰. Fenugreek seeds have shown to help manage diabetes in dogs²⁰. Tests on mice found that Fenugreek could lower blood sugar levels²⁰.

Other therapies like yoga, massage, and acupuncture might also help with diabetes. Yoga could improve nerve function in type 2 diabetes patients²⁰. Massage therapy was seen to lower blood sugar in diabetic kids²⁰. Acupuncture helped with insulin levels in diabetes patients²⁰.

But, be careful with natural therapies and supplements. Some studies suggest chromium supplements could help diabetes control, but more research is needed¹⁹. There’s no proof that garlic, ginger, ginseng, hawthorn, or nettle help with blood sugar levels in diabetes¹⁹.

Choosing natural products safely is important. “Natural” doesn’t always mean safe or effective¹⁹. Some herbal products for weight loss have harmful metals or unknown ingredients¹⁹. Always talk to your doctor before taking supplements, as they can be dangerous with diabetes medicines.

Adding stress management and natural therapies to your diabetes care can boost your health and help with blood sugar control. Always work with your healthcare team to make sure any new approaches are safe and work well for you.

The Truth About Diabetes “Cures”

When you search the internet for ways to manage or reverse diabetes, you might find sites claiming to have a cure. These claims can be tempting, but it’s important to be cautious. There is no proven cure for diabetes, despite what some websites say²¹.

Be Wary of Products Claiming to Cure Diabetes

Some products claim to cure diabetes with natural ingredients, promising to control blood sugar without medication or insulin²¹. Some sites even tell diabetics to stop using insulin²¹. But remember, supplements can help with blood sugar, but they’re not a cure. They should be part of a healthy diet²¹.

Watch out for these warning signs when checking out diabetes cure claims:

Websites promising easy cures with little effort or time²¹
Claims of miracle cures with secret ingredients²¹
Case studies from people endorsing products, which can be easily found²¹
Urgent calls to buy products, limited-time offers, and pressure tactics²¹

FDA Warnings About Illegally Marketed Diabetes Products

The FDA has warned against fake diabetes cures, issuing warning letters and considering action²¹. They warn against products claiming to cure or replace diabetes treatments. This includes dietary supplements, over-the-counter drugs, and more.

Some products, even those labeled “all natural,” can have hidden prescription drugs. These drugs could interact with other medicines or cause bad side effects.

While some people with Type 2 diabetes can manage their condition without insulin, and in rare cases of Type 1 diabetes through islet cell transplants, these are not widespread cures²¹. Type 1 diabetes is usually not reversible because it’s an autoimmune condition²². Type 2 diabetes might go into remission with the right treatment, lifestyle changes, and surgery²².

If you think a website is selling fake diabetes cures, report it to Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040 or on their website at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/fraud-az-medical-scams²¹. Always talk to your doctor before trying new products or changing your diabetes care plan.

The Potential of Stem Cell Transplants and Islet Cell Transplantation

Stem cell transplants and islet cell are not yet cures for diabetes. But they could be future treatment options. In type 2 diabetes, many lose 40% to 60% of their beta cells²³. Researchers want to use stem cells to make insulin-producing cells. This could help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.

Islet cell transplantation moves insulin-producing cells from a donor pancreas to someone with diabetes. The pancreas has about a million islets, each with around two thousand beta-cells²⁴. This totals about 1.5% of the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes can destroy up to 90% of beta-cells, while type 2 diabetes reduces them by 65% and increases cell death by 10 times²⁴.

This treatment can improve life quality for some by controlling blood sugar and lowering complication risks. But, finding donor organs is hard, so it’s only for a few patients²⁴. Also, many patients may go back to insulin use in a few years because their beta-cells don’t last²⁴.

Studies have found over 40 genetic links to type 1 diabetes and more than 40 to type 2 diabetes, mostly affecting beta cell development and function²³.

Despite challenges, research on stem cell transplants and islet cell transplantation goes on. Scientists aim to understand diabetes genetics for better treatments. They hope to find how genes, environment, and lifestyle affect diabetes.

As stem cell and islet cell techniques improve, they could help people with diabetes less depend on insulin and improve their lives. But, more research is needed to make these treatments available and affordable for everyone.

Pancreas Transplantation for Type 1 Diabetes

For those with type 1 diabetes and kidney disease, a pancreas transplant might be an option. People with type 1 diabetes might be checked for pancreas or kidney-pancreas transplants²⁵. A successful transplant can manage blood sugar levels. But, patients need to take lifelong drugs to stop the body from rejecting the new organ, just like with other transplants.

A study in 2011 looked at 25,000 pancreas transplant cases over twenty-four years²⁶. It found that 15% of these transplants were for type 2 diabetes patients²⁷. Yet, type 2 diabetes patients often can’t get pancreas transplants because they are resistant to insulin²⁵.

Deceased donors provide pancreases, while kidneys can come from living donors²⁵. Waiting for a pancreas transplant takes about 20 months, and for a kidney-pancreas transplant, it’s about 14 months²⁷. If a pancreas becomes available, a patient can get a transplant six months to a year after a kidney transplant²⁵.

Islet transplantation in humans has shown to promote long-term insulin independence, with reports of success over the 10-year mark²⁶.

The Collaborative Islet Transplant Registry’s 2015 report shared data on islet transplant success²⁶. A 2020 study looked at UIC’s islet cell transplant results from 2004-2020, showing how well this treatment works²⁶.

A pancreas transplant isn’t a cure but can greatly improve life for some with type 1 diabetes. Yet, it’s important to know that organ transplant patients face a higher risk of skin cancer, up to 100 times more than others²⁵.

Lifestyle Changes Are Key to Reversing Type 2 Diabetes

Making positive lifestyle changes is key to beating or managing type 2 diabetes. Even if some may need medication, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a healthy weight are crucial. These changes prevent complications and boost health.

The Importance of a Well-Balanced Diet and Regular Exercise

Eating right is vital for keeping blood sugar levels in check and losing weight. Choose lean proteins, veggies, fruits, and whole grains. Cut down on simple carbs and sugary foods. Aim for 10,000 steps a day and moderate exercise to boost insulin sensitivity and manage weight²⁸. A healthy diet and more exercise can greatly help in reversing type 2 diabetes.

Additional Lifestyle Factors: Sleep, Stress Management, and Limiting Alcohol

Other lifestyle habits are also key in managing type 2 diabetes. Sleeping 7-9 hours a night helps control blood sugar. Stress reduction through meditation or yoga also helps your health and lowers blood sugar impact²⁸. Cutting down on alcohol and quitting smoking supports diabetes reversal efforts²⁸.

Research shows that diet and exercise can put type 2 diabetes into remission in the obese²⁹. Making these changes early, especially with weight loss and lower blood sugar, raises remission chances²⁸. Working with experts like nutritionists can help craft a plan for lasting lifestyle changes to beat type 2 diabetes and enhance health²⁸.

Conclusion

Reversing type 2 diabetes is possible with big changes in diet and lifestyle. Losing weight, eating foods full of nutrients and low in simple carbs, and moving more can help. Studies show that about 51% of type 2 diabetes patients got better on a low-carb diet³⁰. Those diagnosed recently had a 77% chance of getting better³⁰. Bariatric surgery can also help, with remission rates of 33% to 90%³¹.

Remember, how well you can reverse diabetes varies from person to person³¹. Working with doctors and sticking to lasting changes is crucial. With over 34 million people in the U.S. and 460 million worldwide living with diabetes³¹, these changes can really improve your health and life.

Understanding how losing weight, eating right, and staying active helps manage type 2 diabetes lets you take charge of your health. There’s no sure cure, but with effort and support, you can make big changes. These changes can greatly improve your chances of beating type 2 diabetes and living a healthier life.

FAQ

Can type 2 diabetes be reversed?

Type 2 diabetes can’t be cured, but some people can reverse it with big diet changes and losing weight. By getting your blood sugar back to normal without medicine, you might put your diabetes into remission.

What is the key to reversing type 2 diabetes?

Losing a lot of weight is key to reversing type 2 diabetes. Studies show that being overweight and having diabetes can be turned around. This happens when people follow a very low-calorie diet for a few months, then eat less but still healthily after that.

How can I adopt a healthy, balanced diet to manage diabetes?

To manage or reverse type 2 diabetes, eat less sugar and simple carbs. Eat lean proteins, many vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats. Avoid foods like white rice, white bread, and sweetened cereals to keep your blood sugar in check.

How much exercise do I need to combat the effects of type 2 diabetes?

You should do at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of hard exercise each week. Start slow if you’re new to exercise and increase how much and how hard you work out as you get more comfortable.

Can bariatric surgery help reverse diabetes?

Yes, bariatric surgery can reverse diabetes in many patients. Up to three-quarters of people see their diabetes go away after surgery. Gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery work best in the long run compared to gastric banding.

Is there a magic pill or product that can cure diabetes?

No, there’s no magic pill or product to cure diabetes. The FDA warns against fake products that claim to cure or replace real diabetes treatments. Always talk to a doctor before trying new products or supplements.

Can stem cell transplants or islet cell transplantation cure diabetes?

Stem cell and islet cell transplants might help treat diabetes in the future. But they’re not common or seen as cures yet. These treatments can make life better for some with diabetes, but they need lifelong medicine to stop rejection.

What lifestyle changes are crucial for reversing or managing type 2 diabetes?

Important lifestyle changes include eating well, moving more, staying at a healthy weight, sleeping well, managing stress, drinking less alcohol, and not smoking. These changes are key to managing or reversing type 2 diabetes and preventing serious problems.