Is Type 2 Diabetes Reversible?

Is Type 2 Diabetes Reversible?

Table of Contents

---

I. Type 2 Diabetes Remission vs. Reversal vs. Cure

II,. Benefits of Type 2 Diabetes Remission

III. Chances of Type 2 Diabetes Remission

IV. How to Go into Remission

V. Conclusion

---

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes sugar. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly, causing high blood sugar levels. While diabetes currently has no cure, the exciting news is that type 2 diabetes can go into remission. ¹

During remission, blood sugar levels are in the normal range without needing to take diabetes medication. Getting diabetes into remission can stop further complications from the disease. ¹ In this article, we will look at the difference between remission and reversal of type 2 diabetes. We will also discuss the benefits of remission, your chances of achieving remission, and practical steps you can take to get there.

Type 2 Diabetes Remission vs. Reversal vs. Cure

The terms remission, reversal, and cure are often used interchangeably when discussing type 2 diabetes management. However, these words have distinct meanings that are important to understand.

A diabetes cure would indicate that all aspects of the disease are completely normalized, and no further medical care is needed. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for type 2 diabetes. ² This is because:

• The underlying genetic factors that contribute to someone developing diabetes remain even after blood sugars are controlled.

• The beta cells that produce insulin can become permanently damaged.

• Weight gain can bring back glucose intolerance. ²

Diabetes reversal refers to returning blood glucose levels to below the diabetes diagnosis threshold. However, this term implies that further medical care is not needed. Unfortunately, this is not the case, as the factors that initially caused high blood sugar are still present and could lead to recurrence over time, especially if lifestyle changes are not maintained. ³

Diabetes remission means having an A1c of less than 6.5% without taking diabetes medications for at least three months. ¹ Going into remission stops new damage from occurring while blood sugars are controlled. Moreover, this term implies that ongoing medical care is still needed as complications from high blood sugar before remission may still be present. ³

Given that type 2 diabetes cannot be cured, remission is the preferred term over reversal. Calling it a reversal could wrongly imply that diabetes is cured, and no further care is needed. Using remission conveys that blood sugars are under control while acknowledging diabetes management is still essential. ³

Benefits of Type 2 Diabetes Remission

The benefits of bringing blood sugar levels into a non-diabetic range are numerous. When blood sugars are kept under control long-term, the symptoms and progression of diabetes are put on pause. This does not mean diabetes has permanently gone away, as blood sugars can rise again if lifestyle changes are not maintained. Ongoing monitoring and care for existing complications are still needed. ⁴

However, type 2 diabetes remission provides both short and long-term benefits.

• Requiring fewer medications.
• Having more energy and sleeping better.
• Feeling more in control over your body
• Lower heart attack and stroke risk.
• Less risk of vision loss.
• Lower amputation risk. ⁴

Chances of Type 2 Diabetes Remission

Researchers are still working to understand how to best support everyone with type 2 diabetes in achieving remission. Many people who have attempted remission have successfully entered it, while others who have tried have not yet attained it. ⁴ However, researchers have gained some key insights:

• The sooner you attempt remission after your initial type 2 diabetes diagnosis, the greater your chances of success. If you are living with obesity or being overweight, rapidly yet safely losing around 15kg (33 lbs.) following your diagnosis increases your chances of remission.

• Remission can be temporary for some. Many can remain in remission for years, while others find their blood sugar levels slowly rise again if they regain lost weight. In these cases, they come out of remission.

• Achieving remission becomes less likely in later stages of diabetes, as over time, the body may gradually lose its ability to produce insulin. However, any period spent with blood sugar in the non-diabetic range has benefits. And if you come out of remission, you can still lower blood sugar levels back out of the diabetic range again. ⁴

Overall, while remission may not be achievable for everyone with type 2 diabetes, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of success. By working with your healthcare team and making lifestyle changes such as losing weight, you can take control of your diabetes and improve your overall health.

How to Go into Remission

Remission from type 2 diabetes is possible for many people through weight loss. Strong evidence indicates that losing weight can put type 2 diabetes into remission by reducing fat buildup in vital organs like the liver and pancreas. These organs help regulate blood sugar, but excess fat impairs their functioning, leading to high blood sugar levels. ⁴

By losing weight, fat levels in the liver and pancreas can decrease, allowing these organs to properly control blood sugar again. For some, this means they no longer need diabetes medications after their blood sugar levels return to the normal range. ⁴

However, remission is not guaranteed for everyone through weight loss alone. Some people struggle to get blood sugars below the diabetes threshold despite dedicated weight loss efforts. Still, weight loss gives the best chance for remission. ⁴

While remission is not guaranteed for everyone, the only way to know if remission is possible for you is to try losing weight. Discuss the following with your doctor:

• Consulting a nutritionist to develop a healthy weight loss diet. ⁴

• Creating an exercise regimen. Exercise assists with weight loss, improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood sugar, and reduces the risk of diabetes complications. ⁵

• Weight loss medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide. When used alongside a healthy diet and exercise program, these drugs can aid weight loss. Discuss if they may help you. ³

Conclusion

Though type 2 diabetes currently has no cure, remission is still possible. During remission, high blood sugar levels return to normal, stopping further progression of the disease's damaging effects on your body. Achieving remission can improve your day-to-day life and long-term health outlook.

Research shows that weight loss is a major factor in inducing remission of type 2 diabetes. Adopting healthy eating habits and increasing physical activity can not only help drive remission but also improve your body's use of insulin in the meantime. If diet and exercise alone are not enough to spur the weight loss needed, consult your doctor about adding a weight loss medication.