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Why does type 2 diabetes occur? -

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin (a hormone created in the pancreas that processes sugar and uses it for energy), or doesn't use insulin well.

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Why does type 2 diabetes occur? -

The cells in people with type 2 diabetes don't respond to insulin as they should, which can lead to high blood sugar.

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Complications -

If left untreated, high blood sugar can cause heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease.

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Keeping blood sugar levels in check -

Managing blood sugar levels is crucial for individuals with type 2 diabetes, and this can be effectively achieved through a combination of diet and exercise.

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Reversal -

Type 2 diabetes is considered to be reversed when blood sugar levels return to the levels they had been at before the diabetes diagnosis.

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Remission -

Type 2 diabetes will be marked as in remission after having pre-diabetes blood sugar levels for three months without the use of blood-sugar-lowering medication.

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Remission -

Pre-diabetes blood sugar levels are determined through a hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test, which indicates the average blood sugar levels over the past three months.

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A cure is not possible -

While reversal and remission are possible, a cure for type 2 diabetes is not. Blood sugar levels can return to diabetes levels even after achieving reversal or remission.

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Weight loss -

Being overweight or having obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. While losing weight can be achieved through lifestyle changes, weight loss surgery is an alternative option.

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Bariatric surgery -

Bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery, can immediately improve glucose levels in patients with obesity. 

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Dietary changes -

The sugar in blood comes from carbohydrates, so the more carbs you eat, the higher your blood sugar might be.

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Dietary changes -

With the help of a healthcare provider, those with type 2 diabetes can find the best diet that works for them. In general, it's recommended to eat a diet rich in non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, and unprocessed foods.

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The diabetes plate method -

According to the diabetes plate method, half of the plate should be filled with a non-starchy vegetable, and the other two quarters are divided between lean protein and carbohydrates.

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Specific diets -

The Mediterranean diet (a diet rich in healthy fats) and intermittent fasting have been shown to help control type 2 diabetes.

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Intermittent fasting -

Research has shown that intermittent fasting can help manage chronic diseases more effectively, but studies have only been conducted over a few months. It's unclear whether these benefits would continue if the diet were continued long-term.

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Medication -

Diabetes medication lowers blood sugar levels and can help in the initial reversal of type 2 diabetes. 

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Exercise -

Healthcare experts recommend that someone with type 2 diabetes engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week.

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Exercise -

Some research has also shown that high-intensity interval training may be effective in improving glucose levels.

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Exercise -

Those with type 2 diabetes should also do two or three sessions of resistance training per week.

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Improvement in blood sugar levels -

In one study, participants with type 2 diabetes aimed for 10,000 steps a day, 2.5 hours of moderate exercise per week, and reduced caloric intake. As a result, more than half of the participants achieved near-normal blood sugar levels without diabetes medication.

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Continued monitoring -

Even if a person's type 2 diabetes is reversed or in remission, continuous monitoring is still needed as blood sugar levels indicative of type 2 diabetes can reappear.

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Continued monitoring -

High blood sugar levels indicative of type 2 diabetes can reappear due to weight gain, stress, or a continued functional decline of the cells that make insulin.

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Can diabetic neuropathy be reversed? -

Diabetic neuropathy, a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes, cannot be reversed as the nerves can't be repaired.

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Can diabetic retinopathy be reversed? -

Diabetic retinopathy (an eye condition that can cause vision loss and blindness in people who have diabetes) can be reversed via medication.

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Is prediabetes reversible? -

Eating a healthy diet and regular exercise can help reverse prediabetes.

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Stem cell therapy? -

In 2021, a 59-year-old man with type 2 diabetes underwent a cell transplant and has been medication-free since 2022. While this is promising, research still needs to be conducted to determine the long-term effects and viability of such treatments.

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Is there a natural therapy that can cure diabetes? -

Natural therapies such as progressive muscle relaxation and deep abdominal breathing can help relieve stress, which can negatively affect your blood sugar levels. However, natural therapies can't cure diabetes.

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Be wary of supplements -

Supplements also can't cure type 2 diabetes and some natural supplements may interact dangerously with diabetes medication.

Sources: (Health) (WebMD)

See also: Celebrities you didn't know had diabetes

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