Many people make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight and eat healthier, and it’s no different for people who have type 2 diabetes. But if you’re wondering how to reverse type 2 diabetes with food and exercise alone, you’re not alone. Many other people have the same resolutions: to get their blood sugar levels under control. While these changes can help you manage your condition, they’re not enough for everybody. In some cases, medication may be required to maintain control.
Insulin is an important hormone for the body. When it’s released, it allows the cells to take glucose from the blood stream and use it as energy. In type 2 diabetes, this hormone is not secreted efficiently. Insulin is necessary for the body to use glucose and fuel its cells, but people with the disease have trouble producing enough of it. In addition, the increased blood sugar levels can cause damage to the blood vessels and body tissues.
Some people can reverse Type 2 diabetes by reducing their calorie intake and limiting their meals. A study conducted by the University of Newcastle found that people who followed a diet plan of three 24-hour fasts each week could go off their diabetes medications. Moreover, those who did not take diabetes medications were able to lose between 10 and 18 percent of their body weight. The results of the study were encouraging. Almost half of the subjects had gone off their medication altogether and were no longer taking any.
