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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.

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Dark chocolate may lower the risk -

A recent study has shown that eating at least five small servings of dark chocolate weekly may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by 21%. The risk decreases as chocolate consumption rises from none to five servings.
Cacao is the raw, less-processed form of chocolate and contains the highest levels of flavanols, which act as antioxidants and help reduce inflammation that can trigger or worsen chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

Sources: (Health) (WebMD)

See also: Celebrities you didn't know had diabetes

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