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| Type 2 diabetes can have an impact on your diet Photo: ALAMY |
11:00AM GMT 22 Nov 2011
6 CommentsOnce you have type 2 diabetes, is it possible to reverse it? I am a bit of a foodie and was diagnosed with it last year. I would do anything not to have it hanging over me.
J Frinton, by email
J Frinton, by email
A Dr DAN RUTHERFORD WRITES:
Most people with type 2 diabetes are overweight and their high blood glucose is due to two main factors. One is a drop in the ability of their pancreas gland to produce insulin (which lowers blood glucose), and the other is that the tissues of the body become “resistant” to the effect of insulin, so their blood glucose goes up.
Losing weight improves blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes and is a central part of the treatment. In some people, especially those who have not been diabetic for long and who have been successful at getting rid of excess weight, one does sometimes see the need for diabetes medication disappear.
Regular exercise boosts this potential reversibility. This seems to be due to a partial recovery of the insulin-producing power of the pancreas combined with a drop in “insulin resistance”. Although some people who do this remain diabetes-free, this is mainly dependent on them not putting excess weight back on.
One of the reasons that type 2 diabetes is usually not reversible, which is also one of the great challenges of this disease, is that by the time most people are diagnosed, they have actually been diabetic for several years and have already lost half or more of the insulin-producing cells from their pancreas. Type 1 diabetes, where no insulin is produced by the pancreas, is not reversible and always needs regular insulin injections.
Regular exercise boosts this potential reversibility. This seems to be due to a partial recovery of the insulin-producing power of the pancreas combined with a drop in “insulin resistance”. Although some people who do this remain diabetes-free, this is mainly dependent on them not putting excess weight back on.
One of the reasons that type 2 diabetes is usually not reversible, which is also one of the great challenges of this disease, is that by the time most people are diagnosed, they have actually been diabetic for several years and have already lost half or more of the insulin-producing cells from their pancreas. Type 1 diabetes, where no insulin is produced by the pancreas, is not reversible and always needs regular insulin injections.
A SARA STANNER WRITES:
Some people with type 2 diabetes (usually those diagnosed relatively recently) who have lost large amounts of weight following surgery or a very low-calorie diet have achieved normal blood glucose levels and no longer need treatment. However, whether this “reversal” is permanent depends on many factors, including their genetic susceptibility to the condition and their ability to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.
But don’t let this put you off making important changes to your diet and lifestyle, as these will help to control your blood glucose levels. For example, one study of 2,500 adults with type 2 diabetes showed that those who lost weight within 18 months after diagnosis were up to twice as likely to achieve their blood pressure and blood glucose targets as those who didn’t lose weight. This will influence the risk of diabetes-related complications such as heart disease, blindness and nerve and kidney damage in later life.
If you are trying to lose weight, a structured weight-loss programme or slimming group can help with support and motivation. Eating regular small meals rather than lots of snacks is usually the best approach – it will help to control your appetite, as well as your blood glucose levels.
But dietary advice for people with diabetes is the same as general healthy-eating advice – a balanced diet that is low in saturated fat, added sugar and salt and high in fibre, vegetables and fruit. Although you don’t need to eat a sugar-free diet, cutting down on high-sugar drinks and snacks will also help weight loss, as will watching your alcohol intake.
A TONY GALLAGHER WRITES:
“Reversing” may not be the most prudent verb to employ, but certainly sufferers can make improvements to the symptoms with this form of diabetes.
A healthy lifestyle is important for both adults and children, especially because obesity may be a risk factor for childhood type 2 diabetes.
While exercise alone is no panacea, it certainly helps improve symptoms. The recommended intensity of aerobic-type exercise should be around 60-70 per cent of maximum heart rate
(runsweet.com/HeartRate.html). At this level, prolonged exercise will be possible with a subsequent fall in blood glucose after about 20 to 30 minutes and a further reduction after 40 minutes. Diabetic retinopathy, which causes damage to the eyes, means you should avoid exercises that significantly raise your heart rate and blood pressure.
If you have the diabetic symptom of impaired sensation in your feet it is probably best to stay clear of exercises which are hard on them, like running and tennis. If you feel faint or dizzy, stop exercising and have some orange juice or glucose tablets. Always drink fluids prior to, during and post exercise as this will raise your blood sugar levels.
A well-known athlete who was diagnosed with diabetes was Sir Steven Redgrave, the rower. It didn’t stop him turning in some mighty impressive performances!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthadvice/lifecoach/8903597/Is-it-possible-to-reverse-type-2-diabetes.html
