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Reversal of Type 2 Diabetics

M

Murali 2

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi All

I am new member joined today. I am more interested to know on reversal of Type 2 Diabetics and get rid of Medication over a period of time.

If there are anyone, who has the personal experience on this, please share
 
Hi Murali and welcome!
First I’ll tag in @daisy1 for her helpful info post for you.
I consider my diabetes very well controlled/in remission/ reversed, whatever term you choose. I have been on Metformin since diagnosis 11 months ago. My last three HbA1cs have been mid 30s so in the non diabetic range. At my next review with my GP we are going to look at reducing my dose. I’m quite happy to stay on a small dose as it has other health benefits.
There are many people who choose to remain med free on this forum. I’m sure some of them will be along soon.
 
Hi @Murali 2 and welcome to the forum. Diabetes is a label that remains with you for life but many people can achieve non-diabetic levels of blood glucose control so consider themselves 'well controlled'. T2 is a condition of carbohydrate intolerance (and everyone has different levels) so a diabetic who reverted back to their former ways of eating would find their blood sugar spiking and going out of control.

Many people find that a low carb mode of eating helps them gain good control and I will tag @daisy1 for you who will give you the information pack for new members :)
 
Sam50 said:
Hi @Murali 2 and welcome to the forum. Diabetes is a label that remains with you for life but many people can achieve non-diabetic levels of blood glucose control so consider themselves 'well controlled'. T2 is a condition of carbohydrate intolerance (and everyone has different levels) so a diabetic who reverted back to their former ways of eating would find their blood sugar spiking and going out of control.

Many people find that a low carb mode of eating helps them gain good control and I will tag @daisy1 for you who will give you the information pack for new members :)
Click to expand...
ha ha @Rachox great minds thinking alike there !
 
Have a look through the forum and see how many success stories there are. Many, many have achieved tight control/remission/whatever you want to call it either completely without meds or with meds that are no longer required and can be dropped. It does require some effort and a new eating plan, plus a blood glucose meter and food diary to help you along, but is perfectly possible. Have a long read round to see how, and ask as many questions as you like.
 
Murali 2 said:
If there are anyone, who has the personal experience on this, please share
Click to expand...
Hi Murali,
The first thing your going to lean on here is were all different and you will be surprised how many have achieved reversing T2 and the different paths they followed.

There is no right way or wrong way just what works for you.
So pull up a comfy chair and ask questions.:bookworm:

There is no point bombarding you with information, it's a lot to take in and can be daunting at first. But I would recommend checking out these 2 videos they will answer a lot of question you probably didn't even know you had ;)
:bag:

If you have got flash blocker on it will play havoc with YouTube links so just cut and paste these in to youtube.
Dr Michael Mosley @ 5x15 Blood Sugar.
Dr Jason Fung - 'A New Paradigm of Insulin Resistance'

:bag:
 
Hi @Murali 2, this is just some general advice I would have liked to have had in summary:
  • Reduce as much stress as you can
  • Sleep at least 7 hours at a regular bedtime when you can
  • Try to eat twice a day with no snacks (remove rice, pasta, bread, biscuits, crisps, sugar, potato and any derivatives) :
    • Walk after meals
    • Have 16 hours (Intermittent Fasting) between last meal and first
    • The earlier the late afternoon the better for the last meal
    • First meal ideas:
      • Eggs, bacon / sausage (as much meat content as possible), mushrooms, tomato
      • Several types of berries (these are low sugar), some nuts (minimal cashews), 2 scoops of full fat Greek Yogurt
      • Some meat (any) / fish (any, sometimes oily) with above ground vegetables or dressing free salad
      • Smoked salmon, avocado, eggs
    • Second meal ideas:
      • Everything in first meal
      • Frittata
      • Chilli
        • With cauliflour / celeriac rice or above ground vegetables
      • Search online for Keto / LCHF ideas (this sites forums, diet doctor, youtube, Instagram)
      • Add spices
    • Drinks
      • Black coffee, tea / herbal unsweetened, water
  • Exercise (if possible)
    • Start slow if you are not fit (do not over do it)
    • Stretch
    • Focus resistance training (good form) check you tube
    • Walking as above
This is just a basic what I would do to get started whilst you research.
 
Hi Murali,

I was diagnosed June 2017 with T2D.

I started with a FBG of 15.1 and an A1c of 110. Six weeks later, it was down to an average BG of 5.6 and an A1c of 70. That was on 1000mg of metformin. 13 weeks later, my A1c was down to 46. My latest test puts my average BG at 5.2 and A1c at 40.

Two months in, I was on 2000mg of metformin. However, unbearable stomach cramps, terrible flatulence and non-stop visits to the loo, put an end to that experiment. Back on 500mg, the above symptoms disappeared, and, to my surprise, absolutely no change in my BG readings. Needless to say, I then dropped the metformin altogether. Again, absolutely, no change in my blood glucose readings.

After a bit of research, I discovered that metformin only lowers BG by an average of 1 to 1.5%. Honestly, a glass of water and a 10 minute stroll round John Lewis leaves that effort in the dust!

After diagnosis, I went straight to Waterstones, where I spent a couple of hours before selecting a half dozen books on the subject. This, and subsequent research, confirmed my initial scepticism regarding the diabetic nurse's advice to go straight onto insulin, statins and ACE inhibitors. Of course, I didn't, and still don't have high cholesterol or blood pressure. Nor am I T1D.

If you have a flat tyre, furiously pumping away will not solve the problem. Surely,it is better to fix the puncture and get on your way.

As others have already mentioned, T2D appears to be a gradually increasing intolerance to carbohydrate. Armed with this knowledge and a blood glucose monitor, I decided to cut potatoes, pasta, rice and bread out of my diet. Naturally, sugar, and all things sweet were banished, too. Don't panic, you can slowly introduce healthy alternatives over time.

I found black rice - not the glutinous variety - look up 'forbidden rice'. Low glycemic index, high fibre, and no spike in my blood glucose. the same applies to celeriac - brutally ugly, not unlike one of those budget baddies on Doctor Who of old - but a delicious alternative to potatoes. I hardly ever eat bread now, and I avoid most wheat based products as they are - much like potatoes - almost as quickly metabolised as sugar. However, I have discovered sourdough rye bread, and that has become a weekend breakfast treat with poached egg. Again, no spike in my blood glucose.

During my initial research, I came across the expression 'mileage may vary' and this was never truer than in the case of diabetes. That is why you should always test before and after you sit down to a new recipe or the introduction of a different food type. A lot of diabetics report positive results with sweet potatoes. However, I have found that they spike my blood glucose. Oh well, no tatties for me!

I don't calorie count and I don't carb count. Of course, I don't just sit down to a mountain of rice - black or otherwise -or half a loaf of sourdough. I won't bore you with an exhaustive list of what I can and cannot eat. I will tell you that I eat kefir, fermented vegetables, natto (fermented soy beans), full fat everything and take supplements. I can also eat berries, apples, pears, peaches and plums. Again, not by the bushel.

I started my journey at 100kg. I am now 70kg and have been since October 2017. I enjoy my food more than ever.

So, yes, it is possible to beat this potentially life threatening illness by changing your diet and lifestyle alone.

Who knows what the future holds? But I've come across colleagues, friends and family who having gone straight onto the multi-medications pathway, jab themselves with insulin before wolfing down that 12 inch pizza with a couple of pints of lager followed by the sticky toffee pudding special. Indeed, one of my colleagues was on 40 tablets a day - plus insulin injections, multiple trips to the hospital, diabetic clinic and podiatrist.

I wish you the very best of health and success in your journey to getting your blood sugar under control.





,
 
Mbaker said:
Hi @Murali 2, this is just some general advice I would have liked to have had in summary:
  • Reduce as much stress as you can
  • Sleep at least 7 hours at a regular bedtime when you can
  • Try to eat twice a day with no snacks (remove rice, pasta, bread, biscuits, crisps, sugar, potato and any derivatives) :
    • Walk after meals
    • Have 16 hours (Intermittent Fasting) between last meal and first
    • The earlier the late afternoon the better for the last meal
    • First meal ideas:
      • Eggs, bacon / sausage (as much meat content as possible), mushrooms, tomato
      • Several types of berries (these are low sugar), some nuts (minimal cashews), 2 scoops of full fat Greek Yogurt
      • Some meat (any) / fish (any, sometimes oily) with above ground vegetables or dressing free salad
      • Smoked salmon, avocado, eggs
    • Second meal ideas:
      • Everything in first meal
      • Frittata
      • Chilli
        • With cauliflour / celeriac rice or above ground vegetables
      • Search online for Keto / LCHF ideas (this sites forums, diet doctor, youtube, Instagram)
      • Add spices
    • Drinks
      • Black coffee, tea / herbal unsweetened, water
  • Exercise (if possible)
    • Start slow if you are not fit (do not over do it)
    • Stretch
    • Focus resistance training (good form) check you tube
    • Walking as above
This is just a basic what I would do to get started whilst you research.
Click to expand...

Excellent advice!

I started with intermittent fasting Oct 2017. Last meal finished around nine - work depending - and first meal around one in tha afternoon. Despite what many have said on the subject of fasting, 16 hours is really not that difficult. After a good night's sleep, you're already more than halfway there.

It has made a huge difference to my health and - best of all - it's absolutely free!
 
@Murali 2

Hello Murali 2 and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 
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