Can type 2 diabetes be reversed permanently? Yes, it can be reversed by choosing the right healthy path and following it consistently with confidence. Firstly, you should know yourself and make the necessary changes to achieve diabetes remission.
Are you newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes? Then you will most likely ask; Is diabetes reversible in the early stages?
Are you with diabetes on medication for a while will always ask; Has anyone recovered from type 2 diabetes? What is the secret to reverse type 2 diabetes? What is the remission rate for type 2 diabetes?
Luckily, you are in the correct place, Welcome.
Can type 2 diabetes go into remission permanently? In 2008 the twin cycle hypothesis put forward that there were vicious cycles of fat accumulation in the liver and pancreas that led to the development of type 2 diabetes over at least a decade.
It predicted that major calorie restriction would lead to a rapid fall in liver fat, normalization of liver insulin sensitivity, and normalizing glucose production by the liver.
Diabetes remission is considered by many as a reel, not real. However, it is really possible “even for you”. The trick is what you correctly do and how consistently you do it!
How long does it take to reverse type 2 diabetes? It varies from person to person, but some anecdotal evidence suggests that it may vary from a few weeks to months to even years.
Definition of type 2 diabetes remission
Diabetes remission is defined as HbA1c remaining below 6.5% for at least three months, without any diabetes medicine. Some people may call it ‘reversing of type 2 diabetes’.
HbA1c is considered to be an unreliable marker of long-term glycemic control. So, fasting plasma glucose of less than 126 mg/dL (or <7.0 mmol/L) on two occasions separated by at least six months without medication can be used as alternate criteria.
Is remission a reversal or a cure for type 2 diabetes?
How long remission can last? Evidence shows it is possible to be in remission for up to 15 years or more based on how consistent we are in a healthy lifestyle.
The remission is not always permanent (i.e., a permanent cure). It needs to be maintained; blood glucose levels may rise again if patients revert to unhealthy lifestyles. The trick is how well you adapt to a healthy lifestyle forever.
The healthcare profession thought that it is somewhat easier for remission, if you take the necessary steps immediately after diagnosis. However, some people have been able to put their diabetes into remission even after 25 years of being diagnosed. So, strategy should be your consistent effort with confidence.
How can you get diabetes into remission?
Diabetes remission is possible; if you make your body cells sensitive to insulin and restore your pancreas to release enough active insulin.
The pancreas and liver are the two vital organs involved in blood glucose control. Fat cells (Adipocytes) are involved in glucose consumption. Shedding fat from muscle cells and these organs was key to remission from type 2 diabetes in people living with obesity or overweight.
We now know that the processes that cause type 2 diabetes can be reversed to normal functioning by restriction of food energy to achieve weight loss of around 15 kg. Diabetologia. 2011 Oct;54(10):2506-14.
People diagnosed within the first 10 years and who manage to follow food energy restrictions achieved around half of people return to non-diabetic glucose control. Cell Metabolism. 2018 Oct 2;28(4):547-556.e3.
Obese or overweight patients should strive to lose weight; this helps to improve insulin secretion and sensitivity. People who lose on average 8% of their body weight go into remission. A Diabetes UK-based study called the ReTUNE found that 70% of participants with lower body weights went into type 2 diabetes remission after losing weight through a low-calorie diet program.
However, it is not advisable for healthy weight or underweight individuals without central obesity to lose weight; instead, they have to increase physical activity and shift towards nutritious food without losing weight even if they can add some healthy weight.
Firstly, you should know your body
Overweight or obese people with central obesity have fat build-up around the vital organs such as the liver and pancreas. This puts a strain on these organs and makes it difficult to work properly which leads to type 2 diabetes and other health conditions.
But people with normal or underweight without central obesity have no fat build-up. Instead, they have shrunken or low-functioning organs due to malnutrition (mostly in their childhood) that may lead to type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes can be classified into 3 based on body type; they are:
- Obese before and after diabetes,
- Obese before and lost major junk of weight after diabetes,
- Normal or lean before and after diabetes.
All clinical studies and diabetes institutions are interested in suggesting weight loss for all patients diagnosed with diabetes. However, this is not always the case for example, normal-weight and lean individuals (without central obesity) with diabetes need to switch to a healthy lifestyle without any further weight loss. They can even try to increase their weight by building muscle mass with nutrient-rich food and exercise.
The healthy-weight individuals with central obesity are also at risk of diabetes and thus need to lose this central obesity (abdomen). Because the excess fat coats over the abdominal organs such as the liver, and pancreas, and disturb their normal functioning.
Firstly, you should know which category you are from and the health of your internal organs that are responsible for putting you on diabetes. Then only you can able to devise a strategy to bring back the lost health.
For that, you should first assess and understand your health which might lead to the development of diabetes. To reverse diabetes, you need to bring back your lost health; for the same, we have a diabetes health assessment calculator that helps to assess as well as validate improvement in your health. Visit how to use diabetes health assessment calculator to know further.