Currently, over two million people in the UK live with Type 2 diabetes. It’s a disease of contrasts – keep it under control and you’ll never have to worry, but let your condition slide and you could be in some very nasty trouble indeed. Diabetes is a serious disease and sufferers do require lifetime care. However, once that system of care has been learned and put in place – Type 2 diabetes doesn’t have to be a killer.
Countries like the UK and American continue to pour billions of pounds into diabetes research every year. Now, it looks like those billions might be paying off. Though research is still in the very early stages, scientists claim to have ‘cured’ several diabetes sufferers of their disease using drastic lifestyle and diet changes. According to HealthNews.com journalist Lynn Walbrecht, a study conducted at Newcastle University found that 70% of participants were able to reverse their Type 2 diabetes by adhering to a strict 600 calorie diet.
So, does this mean that it’s possible to recover from Type 2 diabetes?
Well, as Dr Tony Gallagher from the Telegraph points out – ‘reverse’ might not be the best word to use in this situation. Whether or not a patient can rid themselves of the disease for good is largely dependant on their genetic makeup, general health and ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is now generally accepted, though, that Type 2 sufferers can go an awful long way towards ridding themselves of the stigma and painful routine of diabetes.
The problem with Type 2 diabetes is its seemingly ‘chronic progressive’ nature. Being diagnosed with the condition often feels like a life sentence, even if it doesn’t really have to be. In reality, Type 1 diabetes is the truly chronic progressive condition. Its Type 2 counterpart is largely treatable with nothing but a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Scientist Dianne Fennell believes that false notions of the condition’s permanence are what stop many sufferers from taking action against their diabetes. She stresses the importance of a healthy mindset, as well as a healthy body and advises those with diabetes to try a medication free treatment programme before they agree to take insulin, or insulin plus pills on a regular basis.
The question is – how can you achieve a feat that was once thought impossible? How can you beat Type 2 diabetes?
There are various answers to this question, but the important thing to realise is that none of them are easy. Every one of these potential solutions should be carefully thought about and considered before you decide to embark on it. They’re all hard work in their own way and they’re all fairly drastic measures – though some are more drastic than others. The truth is that Type 2 diabetes can only be reversed with a lot of willpower and even more determination. It’s not what most sufferers want to hear, but it is the bottom line.
Solutions include low carb diets, vegan diets, extreme calorie control and the big one – gastric bypass surgery. Due to the fact that so many Type 2 sufferers are grossly overweight, it is thought that bariatric surgery could put Type 2 diabetes into a type of remission. Even if a gastric bypass or band is fitted in a patient, that doesn’t mean that their work is over. They must continue to adhere to a strict diet and exercise regime or their surgery is likely to be for nothing. The same applies for all diet plans, including the vegan and low carb programmes.
It isn’t possible to entirely recover from diabetes – it will return as soon as a sufferer returns to their old, unhealthy lifestyle. For that reason, we cannot really say that any of these solutions count as a ‘cure.’ Type 2 diabetes continues to lurk in the wings of your body, just waiting for you to slip up. If you choose to control your condition with exercise and lifestyle changes alone – you’re going to have to make sure that that doesn’t happen.
Author Bio: Jane is a diabetes specialist and an expert on low carb diets. She recommends PC Pharma products and equipment for those who need a little extra help controlling their condition.