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Reversing T2 With Diet - Who Has Done It And Who Wants To Give It A Go?

Have you reversed your diabetes through diet?

  • Yes

    Votes: 25 34.2%

  • No

    Votes: 11 15.1%

  • I manage diabetes through diet

    Votes: 37 50.7%
  • Total voters
    73
  • Poll closed .

Bebo321

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,001
Location
Somerset
Type of diabetes
Family member
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
I thought I would share this film of a study around diet and what is most effective at managing/reversing diabetes conducted in Australia.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/sunday-ni...e-saving-australia-diet-final-check-up/#page1

It appears that the extreme calorie restricted diet has the most encouraging results. Another film I saw recently suggested the same, where on a highly restricted diet individuals were seen to not only successfully lose weight (no shocker there) but interestingly lost a significant amount of weight through the clearing of fat from the liver (27% of the weight loss over the first few weeks was fat lost from the liver). That has to have a significant impact on blood glucose levels doesn't it?

Anyway - this all seems very encouraging, but I was interested to know how realistic it was and whether or not people had been successful.
Hey - if you fancy trying an 'impromptu' diet, why not try it to see for yourself? Anyone interested? the poll runs for eight weeks - enough to possibly 'cure' your diabetes. I found this link - but I'm sure others will be able to share better information.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...anges-experience-follow-800-calorie-diet.html

Perhaps a volunteer interested in trying it out would set up another thread for all those wanting to join in or follow?

(Obviously it goes without saying that weight loss may not be appropriate for some individuals and in some cases reversing T2 diabetes may not be possible).
 
Thanks for your post.

Perhaps a quick search would have informed you that a large number of forum members have already done this, and their journeys and results have been posted on numerous threads to help and inspire others.
 
britishpub said:
Thanks for your post.

Perhaps a quick search would have informed you that a large number of forum members have already done this, and their journeys and results have been posted on numerous threads to help and inspire others.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply - I know there are amazing people on this forum who are an inspiration to others
I wonder what kind of proportion of people with T2 have reversed their condition through diet though? (so off all meds and blood glucose within the normal range) Are these just the rare 2%, or is it attainable for the majority? - and if not, what would make it attainable?
 
bulkbiker said:
But of course.. it's not a diet.. its a new way of eating which has to be maintained. Old food and old diseases come back...
Click to expand...
Yes - a new lifestyle choice
Did you make a gradual change in lifestyle rather than go 'cold turkey' and severely restrict calories upfront?
 
The first thing you would need to define is what you mean by "Reversed". There are countless threads debating that subject on here as well.

I have a HbA1c of 22 and BG levels that are nearly always in the recommended ranges, all through Diet & Exercise, but then I don't consider that as a Reversal.
 

You're right - the idea of 'reversal' is a sticky subject. In this instance I mean to be free of all meds - granted some carb restriction may still be necessary (or perhaps not - how 'reversed' has T2 ever become I wonder?) For the poll to really be an honest reflection, reversal would have to mean a return to full function. Otherwise it is diabetes 'management' (not an easy task in itself).

You do an excellent job of managing your blood glucose levels through diet and exercise. If you cleared every bit of excess fat from your liver and pancreas do you think you would recover 'normal' function again?

Do you think that true diabetes reversal is a pipe dream?
 
I have been taken off diabetic medication and told I am in remission after 3 years of HbA1C blood tests in the non Diabetic range . I put this down to lchf diet and would never say I have reversed my diabetes as if I ate a lot of carbs on a regular basis I would again have high numbers . I was never overweight so weight loss was not part of the journey for me and eating high fat keeps my weight stable. Diabetes is for life we just have to find a way to control it the best we can.?
 
I agree that diabetes is for life and cannot be cured no matter what people say. It will go into remission once you have lost the excess weight and start exercising and eat a healthy diet. The disease will creep back in once you go back to the unhealthy lifestyle. Sorry to be the bearer of this news and I applaud those people who strive hard to achieve good blood sugar levels. It is very difficult but achievable so keep trying.
 
I'm beginning to wonder if controlling blood sugars IS achievable. I can't say I've reversed my T2 with diet but I have been trying to maintain the HFLC approach since it was pushed at us so long ago. I do have the occasional small lapses (which I immediately regret) but I'm still utterly depressed at being diabetic. I've never been over weight (in fact I have always had the ideal BMI), never had a sweet tooth, rarely ate too much of what we now believe to be 'hazardous', always been physically active. I could go on airing my self pity, but I just have to accept it. I've drawn a short straw and must live with it as best I can.
 
I have a managed to or did manage to control my T2 by diet .I was diagnosed three years back pre diabetic .
So I did every thing to fix it .And and eventually got my three month reading down too 4.7 .But I ended up walking a round like a skeleton .Now I am back to my normal weight after stopping smoking. My three month readings now are 5.3 for the last two quarters .Diet controlled .Tell me you guys am I wasting my time. I power walk half hour a day don't scoff lollys or sweets .No white breads and eat that many greens I look like a cabbage .WHATS NEXT??????
 

Your not wasting your time you have taken control of your diabetes and in doing so have reduced the risk of diabetes complications so well done !! No one said it would be easy just worth it in the end
 
Bebo321 said:
granted some carb restriction may still be necessary . . .

Do you think that true diabetes reversal is a pipe dream?
Click to expand...
True remission would need to include a normal response to consuming carbohydrates. Otherwise, it's just managing it by diet.

I'm working on remission. I have achieved an improvement in tolerance to carbs after 6 weeks on an 800 calorie diet - I am now prediabetic, based on an oral glucose tolerance test, rather than diabetic.

My attempt was interrupted by cancer from May through August, but I'm back working toward remission again for the next 4 weeks, at least. I'm hoping 4 weeks will be enough to move me from prediabetic to non-diabetic.
 

Umm . . . the liver is not heavy enough for 27% of the total weight lost during weeks on an 800 calorie diet to come from the liver. Much more likely that the liver loses 27% of its own weight (although I don't specifically recall that from my research).
 
There are scientific tests that would beg to differ with you.

I doubt it is possible for everyone, but it is a well-documented phenomenon for some individuals with diabetes - both post bariatric surgery and via very low calorie diets for a limited period of time.

Dr. Taylor (Newcastle studies) documented the restoration of the first phase insulin response in all of his first group of study participants and, I believe, a majority in his second study. The first phase insulin response vanishes in diabetics years before the glucose metabolism cycle is dysfunctional enough to generate a diabetes diagnosis. The first phase response does not reappear, even in people with very well controlled blood glucose levels. It only reappears with remission/reversal of diabetes.
 
Bebo321, I have certainly almost reversed my T2 following, strictly, LCHF diet. My specialist diabetes nurse practitioner is very, very surprised at the speed and efficiency of my diet. Thanks to "diet doctor" and this forum I have achieved what health professionals thought impossible.
 

Quite a few people on the forum have achieved this myself included BUT if you were to consume carbs on a regular basis you would again be classed as a diabetic that's why to maintain remission you still need to follow LCHF diet.
 
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