Diabetes reversal and remission: Managing Type 2 diabetes without medication

Type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle disease that can affect almost anyone who does not follow a healthy lifestyle or is leading a sedentary life. Changes in eating and working habits have led to an increase in the number of diabetic patients at an alarming rate in the last few years. Until a few years ago, it was thought that diabetes could not be reversed and a person once diagnosed with this condition will have to be on medication for a lifetime.

However, the latest research shows that if the patient loses weight and follows a healthy eating and exercise routine he can reverse Type 2 diabetes and put it in remission. While there is no permanent cure for Type 2 diabetes you can always keep it under control without medications by following a prescribed diet and exercise regime.

Understanding diabetes remission

First, it should be understood that Type 1 diabetes cannot be reversed and such patients have to regularly take their medication or insulin in prescribed measures. Remission is possible only in the case of Type 2 diabetes. When the blood sugar levels go below the diabetes range then you are not required to take any medications.

The American Diabetes Association says that remission is a phase where a diabetic taking medication in the form of insulin or tablets with HbA1C higher than 6.5 percent is successfully able to stay off the medication for three months with counts lower than 6.5 percent he can stop taking medication as his diabetes has gone into remission.

A weight loss of 10 to 15 kg can lead to remission in the Western population and even just 5 kg weight loss can cause remission in the Indian population that can last for weeks, months, or even a longer time if the lifestyle changes are maintained and the patient maintains his weight.

Weight loss for diabetes remission

To achieve remission weight loss is very important which can be achieved by eating a calorie-deficit diet regularly. If you are used to eating 2,500 calories cutting it down to 1800 calories can automatically lead to weight loss within a few weeks. If you continue on this calorie diet, in a few months you can gain normal weight and even put your diabetes in remission.

In this way, diabetes can be reversed and put in remission but the moment you start eating the same number of calories as usual, especially food high in carbohydrates, diabetes bounces back and the re-reversal of diabetes is bad because this time the sugar levels can be very high.

(Disclaimer: This piece of article is for basic information purposes only. It's always advisable to consult a doctor for any type of health issue.)