Diabetes reversal has become a subject of interest in many quarters; patients, clinicians, and researchers are looking for ways to nip this rising epidemic in the bud. And very soon, Big Pharma may be forced to take a harder look at its diabetes management approach.

A recent study by the University of Cambridge is pointing at weight loss as The Ultimate for diabetes reversal. But before getting to this study, let’s define the terms.

What Is Diabetes Reversal?

Diabetes reversal means that a person previously diagnosed with diabetes is now able to maintain normal blood sugar levels without the use of diabetes medication. It also implies that this person can have a regular non-diabetic diet without spiking glucose levels.

Diabetes reversal is mostly associated with type 2 diabetes which is influenced by diet and lifestyle factors.

Weight loss has been linked to the reversal of type 2 diabetes in previous studies as well. This is because excess fat in the body affects the production of insulin and sensitivity to insulin as well.

Other research has shown that bariatric surgery can reverse type 2 diabetes effectively.

Study Linking Diabetes Reversal To Weight Loss

A clinical trial that was conducted by New Castle University showed that nearly 50% of individuals with type 2 diabetes achieved reversal after a weight-loss intervention that was conducted for six months.

The study involved 280 participants with type 2 diabetes. Half of them were put on a strict weight-loss program with restricted calorie intake through a liquid diet. Throughout the study duration, the participants did not take diabetes medication. The other half of the group continued with the usual care of diabetes medication.

After one year, 46% of people in the diet group achieved reversal which means normal blood sugar levels without taking medication

One notable observation was that the people who had achieved reversal had sustained improvement in pancreatic beta-cell function. This research appears to show that weight loss can revive these cells so that they work well again.

The study revealed that the response is associated with an improvement in the functioning of pancreatic beta cells. These are the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. If beta cells can be “re-awakened” through weight loss, many diabetes patients can regain control over their blood sugar levels and return to a non-diabetic state. These results were astonishing as it was earlier believed that beta-cell function is irreversibly lost in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The study also found that people who had been recently diagnosed stood a better chance of reversing their diabetes. The mean age for those who didn’t achieve reversal was 3.8 years, while the mean for those who succeeded was 2.7 years. This further stresses the importance of early diagnosis and intervention.

Why Is Diabetes Reversal Important?

People can live with diabetes for many years. However, a number of factors make diabetes reversal very appealing. They can be categorized into two groups: non-life-threatening and life-threatening factors.

Non- Life-Threatening Risks of Diabetes

Once a person receives the diagnosis, they have to be on life-long medication unless a reversal happens. This can be painstaking on many fronts. There is a high cost of purchasing diabetic medications. Also, there is the inconvenience of having to take meds on a daily basis. When you fail to take meds or eat an appropriate diet, there is a risk of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. These two can present with the following symptoms:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Extreme hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Presence of ketones in the urine (ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there’s not enough available insulin)
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing sores
• Frequent infections, such as gums or skin infections and vaginal infections

Life-threatening complications

Long-term complications of diabetes develop over a period of time. When they come about, they may pose a life-threatening challenge. They include:

• Cardiovascular disease. Diabetes increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis).

• Nerve damage. High sugar levels in the blood can injure the walls of blood vessels that nourish the nerves. This will lead to a gradual loss of sensation in the limbs, which are mostly affected. This can eventually lead to a complete loss of sensation.

When the nerves in the gut are affected, a person may suffer from nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. For men, it may lead to erectile dysfunction.

• Kidney damage. Diabetes can damage the vessel in the kidneys that filter out compounds from the urine. When these compounds build up in the kidneys, they will cause toxicity and kidney damage in the long run. Kidney failure is the hallmark of end-stage kidney disease. This will call for regular dialysis or kidney transplant, which can be costly.
• Alzheimer’s disease. Type 2 diabetes has been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Looking at the possible complications that may come with the diagnosis of diabetes, reversal seems the only safe way out.

References

1. Mayo Clinic: Diabetes. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371444
2. Healthline: Is Diabetes Type 2 Reversible? https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes-reversible
3. Springer (2011): Reversal of type 2 diabetes: normalization of beta-cell function in association with decreased pancreas and liver triacylglycerol. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00125-011-2204-7
4. New Castle University: Reversing type 2 diabetes.  Retrieved from – https://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/reversal/#publicinformation

The diabetes state of affairs has taken the world by storm. With easy to access processed foods and a sedentary lifestyle, obesity has become all too common. As in many chronic diseases, people are always looking for a cure. Though many diabetics are often under treatment, it is well understood that conventional medicine only manages the diabetic condition but does not offer any hope for reversal or a cure. Is the carnivore diet the missing piece in this puzzle?  How can adapting the carnivore diet start reversing the effects of this disease? In this article, we will look at the possibilities of these statements and shed some light on how the carnivore diet can actually help.

1. What about the carnivore diet that would make it ideal for reversing Type 2 Diabetes?

The carnivore diet is very effective in achieving two common aims of diabetes control, lowering blood glucose levels and reducing weight.

The all-meat diet, also known as the carnivore diet, is exactly what its name suggests: a diet that consists of 100% of meat. Think of the keto diet without any salads or low carb vegetables.

The carnivore diet has been claimed to have a variety of benefits including:

• lower blood pressure
• improved insulin sensitivity
• reduced dependency on medication
• reduction in weight
• improvements in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol, without adding to low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol
• a drop in insulin

Proponents of the diet tout its ability to aid in weight loss, cure autoimmune diseases, decrease digestive issues, and improve heart health.

The idea with this diet is to stay away from carbohydrate-rich foods that could spike insulin levels. Typically, carbohydrates are totally eliminated from a carnivore diet.

The carnivore diet should consist of the following types of food:

• Meats: Fatty meats are acceptable, but should be eaten in moderation to be mindful of heart health. Also, be mindful of consuming too much protein. Combining a high level of protein with low levels of carbohydrates may cause the liver to convert the protein into glucose. This would raise blood sugar levels.
• Eggs: Eggs are low in carbohydrates, as well as being an excellent source of protein.
• Fish: This is a good source of protein.
• Poultry: Also a good source of protein
• Organ parts: Apart from giving nutrition, they also have nutrients important for the body
• Cheese: Not everyone on a carnivore diet takes cheese but it can be included.

There has been anecdotal evidence that people with diabetes have been able to stabilize their blood sugar using this diet. From a biochemistry standpoint, if you’re eating only meat, you’re largely not taking in glucose, so your blood glucose levels are likely to be the table.

2. What are the effects of Carbohydrates on a diabetic?

Foods containing carbohydrates, such as bread, rice, pasta, milk, and fruit, are the main fuel source for many bodily processes. The body uses insulin to help bring glucose from the blood into the cells for energy.

Type 2 Diabetes is a disease of insulin resistance, people suffering from this condition produce too much insulin and their receptors don’t work. This disrupts the body’s ability to use carbohydrates effectively and, in turn, causes high blood sugar levels.

When a person with Type 2 Diabetes eats a high-carb meal, this can lead to a spike in blood glucose.

Because the carnivore diet totally eliminates carbohydrates, glucose spikes are avoided. In fact, the body starts using the stored up fat for energy. This leads to weight loss and stable sugars.

In a nutshell, the carnivore diet might:

• reduce the risk of diabetes in people who do not yet have it
• improve glycemic control in people with diabetes
• help people to lose excess weight

3. What impact would the carnivore diet have on a diabetics’ medication?

The carnivore diet may help reduce blood sugar levels. As such, some people with type 2 diabetes who start this diet may be able to reduce their need for medication. One should have their blood glucose levels constantly monitored so as to adjust medication accordingly.

Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels fall to 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or less.

4. What is the impact of a carnivore diet on weight loss?

People on a carnivore diet tend to lose weight because:

• They totally eliminate carbohydrates and sugar, which are converted to fat very readily.
• Their bodies start burning fat for energy. Naturally, this leads to reduced weight.

Diabetes has been linked to obesity and one of the factors that help in the prevention and management of this disease is keeping one’s weight within their BMI. As such, this aspect of the carnivore diet can go a long way in managing, and even reversing Type 2 Diabetes.

Does the Carnivore dirt have side effects?

The Carnivore diet may be a viable glucose management option for some people with type 2 diabetes. However, as it involves switching to a different source of energy, it can lead to some adverse effects.

Short-term side effects

The dietary change might cause symptoms that resemble withdrawal from a substance, such as caffeine.

These symptoms may include:

• keto-flu, a short-term group of symptoms that resemble those of flu
• noticeable changes in bowel habits, such as a running stomach
• uncomfortable leg cramps
• a noticeable loss of energy
• mental fogginess
• frequent urination
• headaches
• loss of salts

In most instances, the side effects are temporary. People often experience no long-term health problems.

5. Are there any long-term side effects?

Measuring blood sugar looks at the short-term, immediate effect of food. But over time, eating a diet of mostly or only meat can have long-term health consequences.

Long-term effects might include the development of kidney stones and an increased risk of bone fractures due to acidosis.

Other complications include the risk of dyslipidemia and a possible increase in hypoglycemic episodes.

Some animal studies have suggested that, since a low-carb diet often involves additional fat, there might be a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), due to a buildup of fats in the arteries. People with diabetes already have an increased risk of CVD.

There is a lack of evidence about the long-term safety and effectiveness of the carnivore diet, and researchers have called for more primary studies and more evidence before recommending this diet.

6. Are there alternatives to this diet?

A doctor may recommend a specific meal plan rather than suggesting a diet. The carnivore diet is one of many eating plans that might help people manage their weight.

However, a majority of health professionals do not recommend the carnivore diet for managing diabetes. There are many other nutrient-dense diets available that aim to balance carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake, control body weight, and keep blood sugar within a healthful range.

7. What are the Criticisms of this diet?

Critics of the carnivore diet focus on the adverse effects, including the possibility of kidney damage, CVD, and hypoglycemic episodes.

Maintaining this type of diet can also be difficult on a long-term basis, as it is highly restrictive.

This may lead to weight gain later on, particularly if an individual starts to eat unbalanced levels of carbohydrates once they switch back to a regular diet.

Critics also note that there is no evidence to support the long-term benefits of the carnivore diet.

8. So, is it advisable for a diabetic to go on a carnivore diet?

Unlike the other diets, the carnivore diet is easy to track and maintain because it involves eating all kinds of meat in any quantities. It is thus easier to follow and much harder to fall off the wagon than being on diets such as the keto diet and others that need careful monitoring and measuring in some.

Much remains to be discovered about how this way of eating impacts our health, but it’s certainly worth a try if you’re struggling with autoimmune diseases, obesity, diabetes or psychiatric issues. Going on a carnivore diet as a short-term experiment is reasonable and safe, albeit socially challenging.

Therefore, at this point in time, without scientific studies to back the safety of this diet, and without substantial anecdotal evidence about long-term success, there isn’t really any way to say for certain if the all-meat diet is good for people with diabetes. One thing it won’t do, however, raises blood sugar levels. And that’s a good thing!

References:

1. A sweet life (2018): Is the All Meat Diet Good for People With Diabetes? Retrieved from https://asweetlife.org/is-the-all-meat-diet-good-for-people-with-diabetes/

2. Nutrita (2019): The ultimate guide to the carnivore diet. Retrieved from https://nutrita.app/guide-to-the-carnivore-diet/

3. Healthline (2019): All Meat, All the Time: Should People with Diabetes Try the Carnivore Diet? Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/carnivore-diet-for-diabetes#1

4. NCBI (2017): Effects of Ketogenic Diets on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Evidence from Animal and Human Studies. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5452247/

About 30 million people in the US have diabetes, of these; about one 8 million don’t know that they have it. Early diagnosis of diabetes can help in the treatment and possibly reversal of diabetes. But what is diabetes reversal?

Diabetes reversal is similar to long-term diabetes remission. As much as it is not a definite cure for diabetes, it means that a person with diabetes type 2 can have normal blood sugar levels for a number of years without having to take any diabetic medication. This can be achieved through a number of factors which we shall discuss below. Before getting there, let’s shed some light on type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes type 2 Reversal

Diabetes type two used to be a disease of the elderly. But with the adoption of a modern lifestyle, even young children are being plagued by this debilitating disease. Genetics and ethnicity play a role in the acquisition of diabetes type two, but diet and lifestyle factors are great contributors as well. And by controlling the later, a person predisposed to the disease can be able to avoid it in some cases.

Diabetes type 2 occurs due to the gradual build-up of insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone that removes sugar from the bloodstream and stores it in cells. Over time, a person becomes less sensitive to the effects of insulin leading to a buildup of sugar in the blood. Beta cells are further stimulated to produce more and more insulin until eventually they are exhausted and depleted.

Reversal of diabetes type 2 targets the restoration of insulin sensitivity and in some cases the regeneration of beta cells. This means that a person with reversed diabetes should be able to maintain normal blood sugar levels without the use of diabetes medication. Research has shown that weight loss is one of the most effective approaches to achieving diabetes reversal.

Here are four ways to achieve healthy weight loss and diabetes reversal:

1.    Very Low-Calorie Diet

Several studies have looked at the effects of a very low-calorie diet on diabetes. In one study, two people followed a mostly liquid diet of 625-850 calories a day for 2-5 months, followed by a less restricted diet designed to help them keep off the weight they lost. Results showed that a low-calorie diet helps to reduce weight and improve insulin sensitivity. In another study, seven obese patients with type 2 diabetes were put on a very low-calorie diet of 900kcal and 115g of protein. This led to significant improvement in blood sugar control that was mainly attributed to improvements in insulin sensitivity.

Note that these types of diets are extreme. You have to work with a professional who will assess your fitness for undertaking such a drastic approach. Most people who have had success in reversing diabetes with this approach are those who have not had diabetes or a long time. This makes it important to start the weight loss journey as soon as possible after you’re diagnosed.

2.    Exercise

Regular exercise is another way of improving diabetes, but this has to be combined with diet and other measures in order to achieve diabetes reversal. Exercise needs commitment and dedication in order to bear fruits.

Regular exercise is associated with decreased demand for insulin as well as increased sensitivity to insulin. A 2015 study published showed that 67% of participants were able to achieve partial remission by taking part in a 6-months diet and exercise regimen. All the study participants were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

3.    Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery helps one achieve weight loss by reducing their food intake. This, in the long run, has helped diabetes type 2 patients achieve reversal.

A 2010 study showed that bariatric surgery can help in diabetes reversal. Another 2013 study reported that 24% of participants with type 2 diabetes achieved remission six years after receiving gastric bypass surgery. The study concluded that:

“Bariatric surgery can induce a significant and sustainable remission and improvement of T2DM and other metabolic risk factors in severely obese patients. Surgical intervention within 5 years of diagnosis is associated with a high rate of long-term remission.”

Bariatric surgery is suitable only when your BMI is 35 or higher. It works best for people who’ve had diabetes for less than 5 years and they are not on insulin.

For newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics who are obese, this can be a suitable option to help them reverse diabetes.

4.    Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent means going without any food or drink with calories for a given amount of time. For example, you can restrict your eating to eight hours each day and you starve for the remaining sixteen hours. Caution: you need to consult with your doctor before embarking on a fast, even if it’s partial and for medical reasons.

A small study looked at three men between the ages of 40 and 67 who tried intermittent fasting for approximately 10 months. All were able to stop insulin treatment within a month of the study period. According to the author of the study Jason Fung, this study showed that intermittent fasting could be effective in reversing type 2 diabetes.

However, this result can only be used as anecdotal. Larger clinical trials need to be conducted to determine the clear effectiveness of this approach.

What Doesn’t Work?

There is a lot of hype when it comes to diabetes reversal. Shrewd businessmen have tried to exploit vulnerable patients by selling magic pills that they purport to cure for diabetes. They come in all forms of preparations such as:

• Over-the-counter pills
• Herbs
• Supplements
• Alternative medicines
• Homeopathic products
• Prescription drugs

If you or a loved one is living with type 2 diabetes it is important that you consult with your healthcare provider before embarking on any diabetes reversal program. As much as diabetes reversal is achievable, you need to be wary of greedy scammers eager to make a dishonest buck.

References

1. Healthline: Type 2 Diabetes Statistics and Facts. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/statistics#1
2. NCBI (2019): Reversing Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review of the Evidence. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6520897/
3. NCBI (1998): Early and long-term effects of acute caloric deprivation in obese diabetic patients. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3291612
4. Diabetes UK: Reversing Type 2 Diabetes. Retrieved from https://www.diabetes.co.uk/reversing-diabetes.html
5. NCBI (2013): Can diabetes be surgically cured? Long-term metabolic effects of bariatric surgery in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24018646

Diabetes was the leading cause of death in the US in 2015. To date, it follows closely behind cardiovascular disease and cancer.

For many people, the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can be devastating as this comes with lots of risks and uncertainties. Also, this implies having to grapple with increasing healthcare costs to manage the chronic condition. The cost of treating diabetes in the US is approximately $7,900 per person each year.

Just across in the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) is looking for ways to curb the diabetes type 2 epidemic which is causing a strain on the already overstretched NHS budget. Towards the end of last year, the NHS initiated a program that involves starting 5,000 patients on a liquid diet of just over 800 calories a day for 120 days in a bid to reverse the condition. This is part of the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) intended for people who are at risk of type 2 diabetes The project comes after a highly successful trial of the same nature. This liquid diet is meant to restrict the calorie intake of the patients with the hope of helping them achieve a healthy weight and healthy lifestyle. In the end, these lifestyle changes should lead to diabetes reversal.

What is diabetes type 2?

Diabetes is a condition that causes an individual’s blood sugar levels to become too high. Type 2 diabetes happens when a person progressively becomes insensitive to the effects of insulin. The pancreas then secretes more insulin leading to too much insulin in the body. Eventually, the insulin levels may decline when the production sources are exhausted.

Diabetes type 2 is linked to obesity and cancer. Fortunately, it is preventable through diet and lifestyle changes.

In the US, there are about 100 million people living with diabetes or prediabetes. 9 out of 10 of diabetes cases have diabetes type 2. The study alluded to above suggested that a liquid diet could help in reversing diabetes in most patients.

What Is A Liquid Diet?

A liquid diet (like the one used in the study) is generally a very low-calorie diet. It usually involves eating around 800 calories a day or less. Just to put this in perspective: this is a third of what a man usually takes and half of what a woman should take.

The liquid diet consists of shakes and soups, according to the NHS. A person should use this diet for no more than 12 weeks and should do this only under strict medical supervision.

Side effects to expect include:

• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Cramps
• Hair thinning

This diet is not suitable for everyone.

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Successful trial

The milestone study is called DiRECT which is an acronym for Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial/ As much as the study is not complete, preliminary findings have caused lots of excitement. So much so that NHS England has committed to piloting a Type 2 diabetes remission programme in 2019 with about 5,000 study participants.

The first-year results showed that almost half (45.6%) of those who took part in the programme were in remission after a year. By the end of the second year, 70% were still in remission. Overall 30% of study participants were still in remission two years. This is encouraging for the diabetic community as it dispels that myth that this is an irreversible disease.

The second-year results showed a close correlation between diabetes type 2 remissions and weight loss. The majority of those who lost more than 10 kilos maintained remission after two years. Weight loss was also associated with improved quality of life, improved blood glucose (sugar) control, and a reduced need for diabetes medications.

The researchers admitted that this approach cannot work for everyone. It is important to understand the biology underlying remission before implementing any treatment.

What Is Diabetes Remission?

Diabetes remission means that a person with diagnosed diabetes can maintain normal blood glucose levels without using any medication. This doesn’t mean diabetes has gone for good, but that the person is living symptom-free and medication-free as well. A person in remission still needs regular check-up and follow up by a physician.

What Is The NHS Plan

The NHS long-term plan is to empower people living with type 2 diabetes to take charge of their own health needs. By limiting their calorie intake and reducing weight, most patients can achieve diabetes reversal.

Ultimately, this will result in lower healthcare costs for the NHS as well as individual patients. Speaking to news, NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens had this to say:

“However this isn’t a battle that the NHS can win on its own. The NHS pound will go further if the food industry also takes action to cut junk calories and added sugar and salt from processed food, TV suppers, and fast food takeaways.”

• References

1. CDC: Death and Costs. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/deaths-cost.html
2. iNews (2019): Type 2 diabetes patients to be prescribed very low-calorie liquid diet to reverse. Retrieved from https://inews.co.uk/news/type-2-diabetes-patients-prescription-very-low-calorie-liquid-diet-reverse-condition-198716
3. BBC News (2018): Type 2 diabetes: NHS to offer 800-calorie diet treatment. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/health-46363869
4. Diabetes UK: NHS England announces Type 2 remission pilot, and plans to double the size of the NHS England Diabetes Prevention Programme. Retrieved from https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/nhs-type2-remission-pilot