Diabetes Suck: Incredible Ways to Reverse Diabetes by Losing Weight

The number of cases of Type 2 diabetes is skyrocketing, each and every year, about 1.5 million Americans find out that they have diabetes. Even more alarming is that approx. 7 million adults have diabetes and are not even aware of it, according to the American Diabetes Association. 

This is important because, we know that it is much easier to reverse, in the early stages of the disease, and gets harder, the longer an individual has had the disease. 

It is in epidemic proportions and is raising in relation to the obesity epidemic. Fat accumulates in the abdomen and prevents the proper function of the pancreas. This can then lead to serious, life-threatening complication such as blindness, foot, and leg amputations, heart and/or kidney disease. 

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes recently, your doctor may have recommended a weight loss program, or encouraged you to adopt a few lifestyle changes to help you lose weight. 

Recent evidence suggests that achieving just a 10% reduction in weight can be even more beneficial towards reversing type 2 diabetes than previously imagined. 

Reversing Type 2 Diabetes by Losing Weight

Significant weight loss can indeed put your type 2 diabetes in remission. This is according to Roy Taylor, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Newcastle in the United Kingdom. His research over the past few years has shown that it is possible after studying this disease. 

In findings from the DiRECT (Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial), they found that 46% of the 149 participants who followed a strict diet program, experienced remission at around the one- year mark. Whereas only 4% of the group who were not following the diet, experienced the same result. 

Dr. Taylor and his team analyzed these results a little more closely to discover why losing a substantial amount of weight, may actually “turn back on” the insulin-secreting beta cells. 

“In those who were about to get back to a healthy weight range, their beta cells were able to begin working again” he is quoted as telling EndocrineWeb. And it seems the remission of diabetes is due, according to Dr. Taylor, to the decrease in pancreatic & liver fat.  

When we analysis these 64 active participants of the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial, and see that these 64 patients who did, in fact, engage in an intense weight loss program, did lose liver and pancreatic fat and as a result did have a remission in their diabetes. 

Dr. Taylor’s team was at a bit of a loss to explain why some people who participated in the trial, who lost at least 10% of their body weight, experienced remission of their diabetes, whilst others did not. 

However, there is a clear causation when you consider that 86% of those in the study who lost at least 33 pounds, had a remission, whilst more than half who lost 22 to 33 pounds, also had a remission of their diabetes. 

This represents some of the clearest evidence that we have available at present, that type 2 diabetes can be reversed by people who are currently overweight, simply by losing weight through diet alone. Yes, reversing diabetes could be as easy as merely cutting calories from your diet. 

Type 2 diabetes has for a long time been considered a first world disease, a lifestyle disease that can be reversed. Dr. Taylor's study confirms, what many doctors have known for a number for many years. 

Traditionally type 2 diabetes has been treated with medication or bariatric surgery, that restricts the size of the stomach, which makes eating large quantities of food impossible. These methods are also used successfully to reverse type 2 diabetes. Bariatric surgery can reverse diabetes in 75% of diabetes sufferers, however, surgery is not only expensive, but it is also very dangerous, and not an option for everybody. In fact, it is only recommended for a small minority of diabetics. 

Dr. Taylor’s study found through diet alone, it is possible to reverse diabetes for reducing liver and pancreatic fat. It is obvious that through a combination of diet and physical activity, can the results be even greater. 

If you have diabetes, the sooner you take action to reverse it the better. Early intervention has been shown to increase the success rate of reversal.

Talk to your doctor today about this study and what they recommend as a course of action for you. Taking pharmaceuticals or having risky surgery, should be a last resort, when it is very possible to rid yourself of diabetes, simply by cleaning up your diet a little bit, and/or going on a daily walk. 

The guidelines in this program are very achievable for many diabetic sufferers, it is not a program that is difficult to adhere to. The challenge could be for long-term reversal of diabetics, avoidance of regaining the weight in the future for those who are able to lose their weight in the first place. This is why surgery is suggested, because many people, unfortunately, will not be able to keep their weight off, for the long term. 

But it is worth the effort. Consider Isobel Murray, 65 from the UK, who was one of the participants in the study. She lost 22kg (48lbs) over 2 years and no longer needs drugs to treat her diabetes. “It has transformed my life. I had type 2 diabetes for 2 to 3 years before the study. I was on various medications which were constantly increasing and I was becoming more and more ill every day. When the doctors told me that my pancreas was working again, it felt fantastic, absolutely amazing. I don’t think of myself as a diabetic anymore. she said. 

When you engage in weight loss program, through diet and exercise, think about the myriad of other benefits you will experience. Lower your risk of heart attack and stroke, increase lung capacity, strengthen muscles and bones, increase flexibility, clearer skin, more energy, regulate hormones, increased libido, boost mental clarity and mood, all without any side effects.