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Can type 2 diabetes be reversed? Experts say 'yes'
Medical Xpress / Yale University / Diabetes ^ | Feb. 13, 2025 | Serena Crawford / Kitt Falk Petersen et al

Posted on 02/16/2025 2:43:15 PM PST by ConservativeMind

Research shows that most cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented through lifestyle interventions. But if you already have the condition, can it be reversed?

The answer is a resounding yes, according to Gerald I. Shulman, MD, Ph.D.

Insulin resistance drives type 2 diabetes, Shulman explains. "If you reverse insulin resistance, you reverse type 2 diabetes," he said. In a landmark study, Shulman and Kitt Petersen, MD showed that modest weight reduction—even as little as 10%—does just that.

However, Shulman notes, many people who are initially successful at losing weight regain it. The novel anti-obesity GLP-1 medications can play an important role in helping people maintain this weight loss over the long term, he said.

Patricia Peter, MD echoes the importance of addressing insulin resistance.

"The best way to reverse type 2 diabetes is to decrease your body's resistance to the actions of the insulin made by the pancreas," she said.

"For most people, this means trying to attain a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and minimizing sugars and excessive carbohydrates in your diet."

"Over time, high levels of sugar in the blood can damage your vision, nerves, heart and kidney function," Peter said. "Thus, the sooner you can get your blood sugars back into the normal range by addressing or reversing diabetes, the less damage that high blood sugar can do."

Shulman pointed to studies that show a decrease in well-established complications of diabetes, such as blindness, end-stage kidney disease, and non-traumatic loss of limbs, when diabetes is treated.

Even better than treating type 2 diabetes is focusing on what drives it, Shulman added. "In reversing insulin resistance, we not only reverse type 2 diabetes but also prevent heart disease, fatty liver disease, obesity-associated cancers, and Alzheimer's disease, among many other problems that insulin resistance leads to," he said.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: diabetes; fasting; fmd; reversediabetes; treatment; type2diabetes
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To: right way right
I was diagnosed in August 2023 with A1C of 7.4. The doctor prescribed Metformin, and due to my significant lifestyle changes, I only had to take it for seven weeks. Through diet and exercise, I rapidly lost a lot of weight. When I switched doctors, the new doctor wanted to put me on Trulicity, but I had to wait due to some contrast studies. After a week, I was informed to stop taking the diabetic medications. Ten days later, without medication, I checked my glucose levels (having finally bought a glucose meter), and my fasting readings were 90-92 for four days. I contacted the doctor's office and informed them, and they advised me not to start Trulicity if I maintained my numbers.

I should note that several of my other numbers were extremely high. My kidney numbers were high, my uric acid level was 180 (normal is 2-7/dl), high liver levels, something concerning my heart (based on blood tests), and a few other issues. I weighed 248 pounds my weight should be under 180). I believe I was a dead man walking.

Since being diagnosed, I have lost 80 pounds. When I check my glucose in the morning, it is usually 74-80, and my last A1C test came back at 5.0.

Diet, exercise, prayer, and strong faith were all needed.

Keep up the good work. :)

21 posted on 02/16/2025 6:27:58 PM PST by StayoutdaBushesWay (Heb 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see)
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To: StayoutdaBushesWay

The key is weight loss...yes.
Makes the whole process easier.


22 posted on 02/16/2025 6:49:45 PM PST by right way right (“May we remain sober over mere men, for God really is our only true hope.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Eating habits have been changed. I am looking to lose 20 more pounds then move to a maintenance dose. Will continue to win off provided I’m not shooting back up the scales.


23 posted on 02/16/2025 8:20:49 PM PST by snork55 (theirs is not to wonder why, theirs is but to do or die... )
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To: ConservativeMind

A doctor told me bout 15 years ago I had diabetes. I did not believe him. I do not. I just changed what I ate and drank.
I stopped drinking gallons of Coke and felt much better.
I still drink other sodas but a variety and not as much as before and also orange juice and more water. I also practically stopped eating canned soup and fast food which was too much of my diet.
Get rid of the high fructose corn syrup.


24 posted on 02/17/2025 1:52:31 AM PST by minnesota_bound (Need more money to buy everything now)
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To: metmom

“I suspect that they’re trying to beat RFK Jr to the punch.”

Incredible that we had to first get RFK confirmed to allow publication of something so OBVIOUS, and known so long (over 100 years, prior to Insulin, and then publicized again by Dr. Atkins).

It shows just how bad this country has been captured by Special Interests. I cannot help but wonder how much of our $37T debt is due to just to this...


25 posted on 02/17/2025 4:42:47 AM PST by BobL
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To: BobL

Can you imagine how healthcare costs would plummet if people would just eat right and get outside and move around?


26 posted on 02/17/2025 6:10:10 AM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus)
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To: metmom

“Can you imagine how healthcare costs would plummet if people would just eat right and get outside and move around?”

The problem, of course, is that people, even in our own families, and even with absolute evidence (such as saying something like “did you ever bother to think that if you cut out all carbs, you won’t need to inject any insulin?”)...we’re just kooks, and “Doctor knows Best” (or at least knows enough to stay in his lane if he wants to keep employed).


27 posted on 02/17/2025 6:15:55 AM PST by BobL
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To: BobL

I know someone (liberal of course) who is obese and diabetic who just isn’t motivated to lose weight. Nobody to lose weight for, she says.

But yes, there is. Herself.

Or would she rather go blind, have kidney failure, and start losing appendages?

She definitely knows what to do, but just doesn’t motivate herself to do it. And then complains about her knees and how much they hurt and it makes it hard to exercise.

She’s smart but not motivated and it’s easier to be on her ozempic than actually work at changing.


28 posted on 02/17/2025 6:19:46 AM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus)
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To: ConservativeMind

Just stop drinking. Even got my vision back.


29 posted on 02/17/2025 6:22:13 AM PST by Thrownatbirth (.....Iraq Invasion fan since '91. )
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To: Thrownatbirth

Great news!


30 posted on 02/17/2025 7:08:25 AM PST by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

+1


31 posted on 02/17/2025 6:49:44 PM PST by mbj
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