{"id":11670,"date":"2021-09-15T15:30:08","date_gmt":"2021-09-15T10:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drmohans.com\/?p=11670"},"modified":"2021-09-15T15:30:08","modified_gmt":"2021-09-15T10:30:08","slug":"diabetes-reversal-is-a-reality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drmohans.com\/backend\/diabetes-reversal-is-a-reality\/","title":{"rendered":"Diabetes Reversal is a Reality"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"G.
G. Umasakthy M.Sc. Registered Dietitian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Worldwide, diabetes is a major public health problem affecting a large number of individuals. The global prevalence of diabetes in adults has been increasing over recent decades. The total number of people with diabetes is projected to increase from 483 million to 700 million1<\/sup>. India has currently 77 million people with diabetes while 80 million have pre-diabetes.<\/p>\n

Despite advancements in both pharmaceutical and technological treatment options, diabetes is still a big concern. Type 2 diabetes<\/a> has long been considered a chronic incurable or irreversible disorder. So far, the major focus has been on control of blood sugars and delaying the progression to a stage of complications. Recently, a shift in trying to reverse diabetes completely has occurred.<\/p>\n

There is no cure for diabetes as such, but the disorder can go into a remission phase. Remission <\/em>is when blood glucose levels return to within the normal range even without the use of medications. However, this does not mean that diabetes has got cured completely. The body may not show any signs of diabetes but technically it is still present as the genetic and some biochemical defects still remain. \u00a0When a person is in an early stage of diabetes or pre-diabetic stage<\/a>, reversal is potentially achievable and relatively easy.<\/p>\n

There is a subtle difference between \u2018reversal\u2019 and \u2018remission\u2019. Remission implies normal HbA1c without the need for any anti-diabetic medications, whereas, \u2018Reversal\u2019 could also mean a reduction in the number\/dosage of anti-diabetic medications. \u00a0For example, a reversal from an insulin-requiring stage to a non-insulin-requiring stage of the disorder. Reversal of diabetes usually occurs due to an improvement in insulin sensitivity. \u00a0The American Diabetes Association<\/a> (ADA) defines the following three mutually exclusive states of remission: partial remission<\/em>, which is subdiabetic hyperglycemia of at least 1 year (A1C level not diagnostic of diabetes [5.7\u20136.4%; 39\u201346 mmol\/mol], fasting glucose level 100\u2013125 mg\/dL [5.6\u20136.9 mmol\/L]); complete remission<\/em>, which is normoglycemia of at least 1 year (A1C level in the normal range [<5.7%; <39 mmol\/mol], fasting glucose <100 mg\/dL [5.6 mmol\/L]); and prolonged remission<\/em> (or \u201ccure\u201d), complete remission of at least 5 years2<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

What causes reversal or remission? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Weight reduction is the key behind both remission and reversal of diabetes. Studies have shown that both are possible through bariatric surgery, a very low-calorie diet, carbohydrate-restricted diet and exercise. \u00a0There is a continuous relationship between weight loss and the consequent improvement in glycemic levels and the probability of T2DM remission. The results of the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT), in which lifestyle measures consisting primarily of stringent dietary management and increased physical activity were implemented, provide proof for this. In the DiRECT trial, there was an increasing probability of T2DM remission across categories of increasing absolute weight loss.3<\/sup><\/p>\n

Remission or reversal of diabetes is mainly achieved by two types of diets, very-low-calorie diets (VLCD) and low carbohydrate diets<\/a> (LCD). We will discuss both in greater detail.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Very low-calorie diets:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Some studies show that a drastic reduction in calorie intake can reverse Type 2 diabetes, even in people who have had diabetes for over 10 years4<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

If diabetes is in its initial stages, fasting blood glucose can become normal within a few days of a very low-calorie diet (VLCD). \u00a0Drastic decrease of fat in the liver and improvement in insulin sensitivity are the major reasons for this. In 8 weeks, beta-cell (cells responsible for synthesising and secreting insulin) function returns to normal as well. If these levels are maintained, diabetes can be reversed.<\/p>\n

Several studies have shown that blood sugars can be controlled well in patients with type 2 DM by calorie restriction using a very low-calorie diet5<\/sup>.\u00a0In patients with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] ~30\u00a0kg\/m2<\/sup>). An improvement in hepatic insulin sensitivity was quickly observed after only a week of VLCD, while the insulin secretion was restored later (by 8\u00a0weeks)7<\/sup>. In patients with extreme obesity (BMI ~45\u00a0kg\/m2<\/sup>), however, only an improvement in insulin secretion was observed with no changes in hepatic insulin sensitivity8<\/sup>. The rate of diabetes remission appeared to be higher among those who lost more weight9<\/sup>. Collectively, these studies suggest that the underlying patho-physiologic defects of type 2 DM can be reversed by VLCD.<\/p>\n

In a study by Bauman et al., a low-calorie diet of 900 kcal, including 115 g of protein, led to significant improvement in glycemic control that was mainly attributed to improvements in insulin sensitivity10<\/sup>. Furthermore, a study conducted in obese T2D patients found that LCD and gastric bypass surgery were equally effective in achieving weight loss and improving glucose and HbA1c levels in the short term11<\/sup>. Weight loss, however, persisted in the diet-treated patients only for the first three months, indicating difficulty with long-term maintenance13<\/sup>. Lifestyle intervention with severe energy restriction may have some detrimental effect on the body composition and physiology, which may be a concern for long-term health. Adherence to the diet and maintenance of lost weight is the challenging factors for long-term remission or reversal of diabetes.<\/p>\n

The low carbohydrate diets:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Before insulin was discovered in 1921, low carbohydrate (LC) diets were the standard of care for diabetes12<\/sup>. Patients are instructed to carefully restrict dietary `carbohydrates, eat protein in moderation, and consume enough dietary fats. LC diets have been shown to be more effective than restricting overall daily calorie intake.\u00a0A study comparing an ad libitum (non-calorie restricted) very low carbohydrate (<20g total) diet to an energy-restricted low-glycemic diet in patients with T2D found a greater reduction in HbA1c, weight, and insulin levels in the low carbohydrate arm13<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

LC diets focus more on macronutrient changes than on calorie restriction. Low-carbohydrate diets restrict the total carbohydrates to less than 130 grams per day. A very low-carbohydrate or ketogenic diet<\/em> usually restricts total carbohydrates to as low as 20\u201330 grams per day. Protein consumption is not usually modified and hence the remaining energy needs are met by fat, which automatically means that LC diets are high-fat diets. The carbohydrate sources are primarily non-starchy vegetables with some nuts, dairy, and limited fruit14<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Based upon a recent systematic review of LC diets, it appears that the greatest improvements in glycemic control and greatest medication reductions have been associated with the lowest carbohydrate intake15<\/sup>. However, the side effects are that the diets are unbalanced and the blood lipids tend to go up drastically because of the high fat intake.<\/p>\n

Keto diets are very similar to very low carbohydrate diets. When blood sugars are under very good control, the number and dosage of anti-diabetic medicines can be reduced and eventually withdrawn in many cases. Medications that rapidly reduce blood sugar need to be stopped, for example, insulin and sulfonylureas (sometimes in as little as 2 days to 2 weeks). Other medications like SGLT-2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and metformin can be stopped as long as normal blood sugar levels are maintained.<\/p>\n

\"Diabetes
Diabetes Reversal is a Reality<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Exercise:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Regular exercise should be encouraged for better control of blood sugars and reduction of cardiovascular risk. Muscles use more glucose during exercise than at rest. Exercising<\/a> regularly is necessary for the successful reversal of type 2 diabetes as it helps the body to become more sensitive to its insulin. Exercise when combined with a healthy diet can reduce the demand for insulin in the body and therefore help reverse diabetes.<\/p>\n

A study published in 2015 showed that 67% of participants who were able to achieve partial remission of their type 2 diabetes have taken part in a six-month diet and exercise program, kindly note however that the participants in this study were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes18<\/sup>.<\/p>\n