In A New Study, Researchers Claim They’ve Found A Way To Reverse Type 2 Diabetes
Reversing Type 2 Diabetes Researchers from Newcastle and Glasgow Universities believe they have found a way to effectively reverse type 2 diabetes, without requiring a new kind of drug or invasive surgery. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how a person’s body metabolizes sugar, either because they’ve developed resistance to the hormone insulin, or their pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. It’s long been believed that the condition is manageable, but not curable. According to findings published in the journal The Lancet, however, type 2 diabetes can be reversed through weight loss. More specifically, by reducing the amount of fat being carried in and around the abdomen, as accumulated fat in this region impedes the function of the pancreas. The study included 298 patients, aged 20 to 65, who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the previous six years. Half of the patients were put on a low-calorie diet and lost an average of 10 to 15 kg (22 to 33 pounds). The other half of patients, who served as a control group, received the best diabetes management available — but that did not include a weight loss program. Of the patients who lost weight, more than half saw their diabetes go into remission: 86 percent of the patients who lost more than 15kg, 57 percent who lost 10 to 15 kg, and 34 percent who lost 5 to 10 kg. Of the patients in the control group who were not on a weight management protocol, only 4 percent saw their diabetes go into remission. “These findings are very exciting. They could revolutionize the way type 2 diabetes is treated. This builds on the work into the underlying cause of the condition, so that we can target management effectively,” lead researcher Roy Taylor, from the Newcastle University, told The Guardi Continue reading >>
Can Your Type 2 Diabetes Be Reversed?
Advice for type 2 diabetes patients seeking a healthier, happier lifestyle For patients with type 2 diabetes, managing the disease can be a burden. However, with medical planning, diligence and awareness, it may be possible to eliminate the symptoms. Education is the most important aspect of treatment, as it’s necessary to understand exactly what your goals are and how to guide your body to reach them. We spoke with Maruja Diaz-Arjonilla, MD, a board-certified endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism specialist at St. Joseph Heritage Medical Group, who navigates the latest research to give us a better understanding of how patients with type 2 diabetes might achieve remission. Q: What does it mean to put diabetes into remission? Is it the same thing as reversing the disease? A: In certain cases, intensive medical treatment can put type 2 diabetes into remission--that is, the right therapies might enable your glucose levels to remain normal without using diabetes medication. “Reversal” and “remission" have both been used somewhat interchangeably, however, "reversal" suggests that the disease goes away permanently. I prefer the term “remission” because there is always a risk of relapse--a chance for your symptoms to reoccur if you are not consistent with treatment or diet and exercise. If you can maintain normal blood sugar levels for more than one year without medication, you are in what we would call "complete remission." Of course, you'll still need regular testing to see if your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol are in check and to look out for any problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. Successfully achieving remission depends on several factors including the severity of your case, your genetic background and how long you've had the disease. Unf Continue reading >>
Scientists May Have Found A Way To Reverse Type 2 Diabetes
Can type 2 diabetes be cured? A very low calorie diet may be able to reverse the disease, according to a new report. Researchers from Yale University, recently conducted an experiment, published in the Cell Metabolism journal, to determine the link between a calorie-restricted diet and the illness. To do so, they examined rats with type 2 diabetes. They fed them very low calorie diets, defined as one quarter the normal take. Within just three days, scientists noticed three significant changes that contributed to lowering blood glucose concentrations. It decreased the conversion of lactose and amino acids into glucose, reduced the rate of liver glycogen conversion to glucose, and lowered the fat content, which is known to improve the liver’s response to insulin. "Using this approach to comprehensively interrogate liver carbohydrate and fat metabolism, we showed that it is a combination of three mechanisms that is responsible for the rapid reversal of hyperglycemia following a very low calorie diet," lead author Gerald I. Shulman said in a statement. Now researchers hope to investigate whether this method could yeild the same findings for humans with type 2 diabetes. "These results,” Shulman said, “if confirmed in humans, will provide us with novel drug targets to more effectively treat patients with type 2 diabetes." Continue reading >>
U-turn Type 2 Diabetes
Reversing the Twin Causes of Type 2 Diabetes The work of Prof. Roy Taylor I want to introduce my readers to the life changing work of Professor Roy Taylor, Director of Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre, at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. Prof. Taylor has done some amazing studies in which he showed for the first time the restoration of pancreatic function to normal levels in people recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, after an 8 week program of an extremely low 600 calorie per day diet. Prof. Taylor wrote in his Banting Memorial Lecture: It has become widely accepted that Type 2 diabetes is inevitably life-long, with irreversible and progressive beta cell damage. However, the restoration of normal glucose metabolism within days after bariatric surgery in the majority of people with Type 2 diabetes disproves this concept. There is now no doubt that this reversal of diabetes depends upon the sudden and profound decrease in food intake, and does not relate to any direct surgical effect. The Counterpoint study demonstrated that normal glucose levels and normal beta cell function could be restored by a very low calorie diet alone. Novel magnetic resonance methods were applied to measure intra-organ fat. The results showed two different time courses: a) resolution of hepatic (liver) insulin sensitivity within days along with a rapid fall in liver fat and normalisation of fasting glucose levels; and b) return of normal beta cell insulin secretion over weeks in step with a fall in pancreas fat. Now that it has been possible to observe the pathophysiological events during reversal of Type 2 diabetes, the reverse time course of events which determine the onset of the condition can be identified. The twin cycle hypothesis postulates that chronic calorie excess le Continue reading >>
Can Ed Be Reversed
Can ED Be Reversed Erectile dysfunction or ED is mainly caused by a disorder of penile blood flow. Impaired blood flow causes a lack of erection and premature ejaculation. Most people that have ED also have other health issues such as high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension. Atherosclerosis is another contributing factor to impaired blood flow which causes ED. The question often asked is “Can Ed Be Reversed” and the answer is a “Yes”. Diet and exercise play an important role in treating and reversing ED. Men also want to last longer and have stronger erections and this can be achieved by staying focused on diet and exercise. Proper diet and simple exercise such as going for daily walks can greatly enhance the ability to have more fulfilling sex. As mentioned earlier, there are several health issues that can cause Erectile dysfunction, such as hypertension, diabetes and urologic problems and ED is one such health issue. It affects both men and women since it has to do with blood flow. It can also cause a lack of desire for sex. When blood flow is restricted due to nerve damage caused by diabetes, this in turn causes ED. Diabetes can be a leading cause of erectile dysfunction. Diabetes can and does affect the quality of sex and can contribute to ED. Diabetes and ED are linked as ED is one of the unfortunate results of a diabetic’s general health. It has been estimated, that in any given population about 35 to 75 percent of men with diabetes will experience some degree of erectile dysfunction , which is commonly referred to as ED. Why does diabetes affect ED ? It is common knowledge, that in order to have an erection, blood has to be supplied to the penis. unfortunately diabetes affects the flow into the various blood vessels and that includes the penis. It i Continue reading >>
Frequently Asked Questions About
These are some of questions I frequently get asked at my diabetes management clinic. I conduct regular clinics for diabetics with a focus on the use of lifestyle, especially diet modification to improve their diabetic condition & management. >> to find out more about my diabetes clinic >> Diabetes Lifestyle & Diet Management Programme Frequently asked questions about Reversal of Type 2 Diabetes Q1. Can Type 2 Diabetes be reversed? A. It is possible for type 2 diabetes to be improved or the severity reversed to some degree through lifestyle modifications, especially diet & exercise, and for some even to the extent whereby they can adjust the need for and dosage of diabetes medications and yet still maintain good blood glucose control (fasting & post meals) as well as HbA1c. Q2. Can T2 Diabetes be cured? What is the difference between cure and reversal of T2 diabetes. A. To cure a disease would usually mean to bring back to normal the underlying abnormal body function ( or what doctors / scientists call pathophysiology ) of the disease. To reverse a disease is usually taken to mean to bring about improvement to the underlying pathophysiology, signs and symptoms and potential complications of the diseases. Diabetes, like most other chronic diseases, is not a absolute 'Yes' or 'No' disease because the degree of severity of the underlying pathophysiology is a actually a point on a continuous spectrum; as opposed to most infectious diseases for eg. where it can be s a 'Yes' or 'No' disease, that is one either has the infection or not. For eg. a person with a bacterial infection treated by antibiotics may be cured of the infection as compared to diabetic, who after undertaking a guided comprehensive lifestyle modification programme, successfully improve his/her condition to ex Continue reading >>
Reversing Diabetes
Reversing diabetes is a term used to describe interventions that reduce dependency on type 2 diabetes medications, effectively reversing the progression of the illness. With time and dedication, type 2 diabetes can be reversed and the results can be very rewarding with less tiredness and better all round health. Loss of body weight can be particularly beneficial in helping to reverse the progression of diabetes. In some cases, people may find they are able to come off medication, although blood sugar levels should be checked regularly as reversing progression of diabetes is not a cure. Do not come off medication unless advised to by your healthcare team. Understanding how diabetes progresses The most common cause of type 2 diabetes is obesity related, which generally follows a vicious cycle pattern: Diet high in refined carbohydrates, saturated and trans fats, whilst low in fibre, essential vitamins and minerals. Insulin levels in the bloodstream increase to cope with the high and quick acting carb intake Weight is put on around the belly (central or truncal obesity). Consistently high insulin levels and weight gain lead to the body’s cells becoming resistant to insulin. High insulin levels also help to increase weight gain. Insulin resistance leads to an increase in sugar levels, particularly after meals. The pancreas produces more insulin to cope with rising blood sugar levels. High sugar levels leads to feelings of lethargy and high insulin levels lead to feelings of hunger. Hunger often leads to overeating and lethargy to less activity being taken. Overeating, less activity and high insulin levels all lead to further weight gain and more insulin resistance. Consistently high demand on the pancreas to produce extra insulin leads to damage to the pancreas’ insulin Continue reading >>
Reversing Diabetes Through Weight Loss: How Much Should You Lose?
Your doctor probably preaches healthy eating habits and exercise to manage type 2 diabetes, and while both of those things work to help keep your blood sugar in check, they can also help you lose weight. And weight loss may be the key to reversing type 2 diabetes, according to an analysis published in September 2017 in the journal BMJ. The authors noted that losing 33 pounds (lbs) often helps put diabetes into remission. Yes, that sounds pretty specific, but it makes more sense if you consider that the data is based off of losing 15 kilograms, which equals 33 lbs. It's a bold statement, considering many people think type 2 diabetes is a chronic, lifelong condition. The specific figure is taken from previous research: A study published in May 2016 in the journal Diabetes Care found that 40 percent of people who lost about 33 lbs and kept it off for six months through a low-calorie diet were able to send the diabetes into remission. In that study, the authors concluded that type 2 diabetes “is a potentially reversible condition.” That said, it doesn’t mean that you should aim to lose 33 lbs specifically. “Further work on this is ongoing, regarding the actual weight loss needed,” says study coauthor Louise McCombie, RD, research associate at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Indeed, this is part of a larger body of research that will be presented at the International Diabetes Federation in December 2017. And while 40 percent of people sending diabetes into remission is an impressive figure, it also suggests that this is possible for some people but not everyone. The Connection Between Diabetes and Weight Loss It’s well established that losing weight if you have prediabetes can prevent the condition from developing into full-blown diabetes. According to the Continue reading >>
Diabetes Can Be Reversed Through Major Diet & Lifestyle Changes
Article A recent report (February 07, 2011) by CNN says that improving one's diet, keeping off excess weight, and regularly exercising, can help millions of people with diabetes get rid of it for good. "We have seen numerous people reverse their condition," Dr. Michelle Magee, director of the MedStar Diabetes Institute in Washington, is quoted as saying by CNN. "But it takes a real dedication for the rest of their lives." Typically, overweight or obese people who eat poorly and exercise little develop type 2 diabetes. The conventional course of action is then to regularly watch blood sugar levels with a monitor and take daily shots of insulin, the hormone normally produced by the pancreas to process sugars, but that is lacking in diabetics. But by eliminating processed foods loaded with highly refined sugars, eating lots of whole, organic foods, and getting regular exercise to maintain healthy muscle and fat levels, diabetes can actually get their bodies back on track to where they can once again naturally produce their own insulin, and even stop having to inject themselves with insulin every day. Now let's explore the causes of adult-onset diabetes and how people can both prevent and even reverse diabetes by applying fundamental knowledge of how the human body deals with dietary sugars and refined carbohydrates. The process of storing sugar as glycogen or converting it to body fat is initiated by a hormone produced by the pancreas. This hormone, of course, is called insulin. If you consume refined carbohydrates on a regular basis, your pancreas will become overstressed. It's just like if you run your car 24 hours a day and keep revving the engine -- eventually something's going to wear out and break. This is what happens with the pancreas, and people who have adult ons Continue reading >>
5 Ways You Can Reverse Your Type 2 Diabetes
Lifestyle changes and in some cases, surgery, can be effective ways to put type 2 diabetes into remission. Learn more about what you can do to get off medication and get in control. Reversing your type 2 diabetes–or at least putting it into remission for years—is possible, according to George King, MD, research director and chief scientific officer at the Joslin Diabetes Center. “The strongest support comes from bariatric surgery,” says Dr. King, author of Reverse Your Diabetes in 12 Weeks. “Of people who undergo bariatric surgery and who have been on diabetes medications for years, fully 50 to 60% percent of these people can go off all medications in five years.” Without surgery, Dr. King says that it has long been known that at least five to 10% of people who go on a very changed diet, lose weight and increase their activity can get off all medications for type 2 diabetes and stay off them for ten to 20 years. “What that tells me is that it’s definitely possible to reverse type 2 diabetes; you just need to find the correct path,” says Dr. King The only caveat, he says, is how long you’ve had the disease. Diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas cannot properly produce insulin to regulate levels of glucose in your body. Over time, this can cause the beta cells in the pancreas to burn out, making it more difficult to compensate for the body’s inability to use insulin effectively. “But most people with type 2 diabetes have enough residual beta cells that if they take the pressure off their beta cells with diet and exercise, their health will improve,” says Dr. King. Getting Started Experts suggest a number of steps to help reverse type 2 diabetes including: Changing Up Your Diet With the goal of scoring a hemoglobin A1C below 6.5, Dr. King Continue reading >>
Can You Reverse Diabetic Kidney Disease With Food?
Kidney failure, a result of kidney disease, afflicts 30 percent of people with type 1 diabetes and 10 to 40 percent of people with type 2 diabetes, according to the National Kidney Foundation. It is important to talk with your doctor about your risks of kidney disease and what you can do to prevent it. If you develop kidney disease, there are changes you can make to your diet to help reverse or slow the disease, but it is necessary to discuss dietary changes with your doctor before beginning them. Keep in mind that not all kidney disease is reversible. Video of the Day Remove high protein animal meats from your diet. According to the American Diabetes Association, the intake of protein makes the kidneys have to work harder and often low protein diets are recommended for people experiencing kidney failure. Avoiding the high protein amounts of meats can help decrease the stress on your kidneys. Consume small amounts of plant-based protein to help you get essential amino acids without adding too much protein to your diet. Eat plant-based proteins such as beans, nuts, tofu or peanut butter. Follow your doctor’s specific recommendations on how many grams of protein you should consume daily because it will vary from person to person. Limit your intake of salt to 1,500 mg per day. Consuming too much salt can increase your blood pressure. According to the American Heart Association, your kidney disease can quickly worsen with even slight increases to your blood pressure. Talk to your doctor your specific salt limitations. Add flavor to your foods with salt-free herbs and spices. Read labels to ensure the foods you buy do not contain too much salt. Many frozen foods, prepackaged foods and canned goods contain added salt. MedlinePlus recommends looking for foods that, per servi Continue reading >>
7 Steps To Help Reverse Type-2 Diabetes So You Never Have To Take Insulin Or Medication Again
This article was republished with permission fromdrhyman.com. What disease affects EVERY other American and one in four kids? Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. Type 2 diabetes in America has tripled since the 1980s, and researchers estimate one in three Americans will have diabetes by mid-century. More than one-third of American adults are obese. [1] And one in three Medicare dollars is spent on diabetes making it the biggest driver of our federal debt. Sadly, these numbers continue to increase. Overall, it’s not a pretty picture, and experts predict things will only become worse. I use the term “diabesity” to describe the continuum of health problems ranging from mild insulin resistance and overweight to obesity and diabetes. Diabesity is the underlying cause of most heart disease, cancer, and premature death in the world. Tragically, these conditions are also 100% preventable and reversible. Most people believe diabetes is not reversible. That’s unfortunate considering its numerous complications including kidney failure, amputation, stroke, and dementia. I’ve also heard experts claim obesity is difficult to treat and maintaining long-term weight loss is almost impossible. I wholeheartedly disagree. Science shows diabetes and obesity are preventable and reversible with aggressive utilize nutrition and lifestyle modifications. It is caused by the 152 pounds of sugar and 146 pounds of flour a year eaten on average by every American – that is a toxic drug dose of diabetes causing food. It is well known that massively obese patients can reverse their diabetes within a few weeks of getting a gastric bypass, even if they haven’t lost that much weight. Why? Because food is medicine and when you take disease-producing food out and put the right food in the healing Continue reading >>
How To Reverse A Diabetes Diagnosis By Losing Weight
Here's something shocking to think about: 40 percent of Americans are obese — and that number is the highest it's ever been. And here's another jaw-dropping statistic: 29 million Americans have type 2 diabetes. If you fall into either of these categories, the good news is there are simple steps you can take to make lasting changes. For example, you only need to lose 5 percent of your body weight to seriously start reducing your risk for type 2 diabetes. And you only need to lose 1 gram of fat from your pancreas (where your insulin lives) to reverse the symptoms of diabetes, according to one small study. The connection between a small amount of weight loss with a large health benefit is not new. A 2012 study found reducing body mass index (BMI) by just five units could help reverse diabetes, regardless of your initial BMI. Diabetes can be a confusing topic — here are a few things you should know. There are two very different types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes involves the absence of insulin, a critical hormone needed to help control blood sugar levels. It has often been referred to as juvenile diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes. Type 1 diabetes represents a very small percentage of total diabetes cases and has nothing to do with being overweight or obese. The other form is called type 2 diabetes (often referred to as adult onset or noninsulin dependent). Type 2 diabetes makes up 95 percent of all diabetes cases and it’s highly correlated to weight. Individuals with type 2 diabetes produce insulin, but the hormone is not sensitive enough to the rise and fall of blood sugar levels. This form of the disease may start as insulin resistance or prediabetes. Both types of diabetes are serious and can lead to several adverse health outcomes, like nerve damage, impaired Continue reading >>
How To Reverse Diabetes Through Diet And Exercise – A Blueprint For Success
In this article, I’d like to share the story of another one of my diabetic clients, Larry Gershon, who reversed type 2 diabetes following my evidence-based whole foods nutrition and fitness coaching program. Larry has an amazing story, and has made an incredible turn around by adopting powerful and extremely effective lifestyle habits. Life Before January 2013 Prior to January 2013, Larry was overweight and he knew it. At 5’8”, he weighed almost 200 pounds, more than 45 pounds over his target body weight of 155 pounds. He had been prediabetic for many years, with a fasting blood sugar between 100-110 mg/dL (normal fasting blood sugars are be between 70-100mg/dL). In addition, Larry had high blood pressure and an elevated cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL. These 3 indicators were silent signs that Larry’s lifestyle needed a serious overhaul. January 2013: Diagnosis with Lung Cancer In January of 2013 after battling intense cold and flu-like symptoms, Larry checked himself into the urgent care unit at the local medical center. The doctors took a chest X-ray as a safeguard against pneumonia, which instead revealed a tumor on his left lung. Follow up CAT scans and PET scans revealed that Larry had developed two tumors – one in his left lung and a second in an adjacent lymph node. A surgical biopsy confirmed that both tumors were cancerous. Two weeks later, a brain scan revealed that the cancer had metastasized to his brain. Soon after, Larry was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma. Larry began chemotherapy immediately. His chemo infusions occurred on Tuesdays, three weeks apart. His energy level was good on the days following his infusions until late Friday but by Saturday he was exhausted and it was nearly impossible to lift his head off of the pillow on the weeke Continue reading >>
How To Reverse Diabetes: 41 Foods That Improve Insulin Resistance
This article was republished with permission from doctorshealthpress.com. A healthy diet is extremely important for anyone, but it’s especially important for diabetics. Many foods we consume are turned into glucose (sugar), which the body uses for energy during the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. When the pancreas fails to produce the hormone insulin, blood sugar cannot get into the body’s cells. (Fortunately, you can help to prevent and even reverse this condition with the diabetes-fighting foods listed below! Plus, you’ll find a helpful summary you can keep referring back to at the end of the article.) According to the annual National Diabetes Statistics Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9.3% of Americans suffer from type 1 or type 2 diabetes—that’s more than 29 million people! In fact, it is the seventh most common cause of death in the U.S. The disease can also snowball, and lead to many other serious health conditions, including blindness, nerve disorders, stroke, kidney disease, and heart disease. Natural Foods That Reverse Diabetes Luckily, diabetics can help reverse the condition with simple dietary changes. Food is definitely an important medicine for people with diabetes. What you eat can make all the difference between reversing the disease or making the condition even worse. What foods should diabetics avoid? They are likely some former favorites, such as bacon, French fries, and dairy products. A person with diabetes should stay away from processed foods, especially refined carbohydrates. For instance, pizza night should likely be cancelled. Other high-glycemic-index foods diabetics should avoid include many wheat flour products, white potatoes, white rice, candy, sodas, many cereal products, and especial Continue reading >>
