Anyone reversing diabetes through weight loss, or struggling to do so?
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So today I got my fasting score back for glucose (I had a 12 hour fast) and the numbers were 127, and 126 is considered diabetes. I had gestational diabetes during a pregnancy 10 years ago, so I am at higher risk. I weight 230, 5'6 - and have a goal to get under 200lbs. Have any of you reverse your diabetes numbers through your weight loss #s, or are trying to do so? Feeling a little deflated.
I was diagnosed with T2Dm in January 2014 with an A1c of 7.3. I was put on metformin but had to quit it after 3 weeks because it can cause kidney issues, which was happening to me. I was then put on glipizide. I started eating less, moving more, and counting my carbs staying under 180 grams per day, spread out over 3 meals and 2 snacks.
6 months later, my A1c was down to 5.7 so I was taken off the glipizide. My next 3 month follow-up A1c was 5.3 and a few months after that I was 5.0. I have maintained and A1c between 5.0 and 5.5 ever since.5 -
Please do your homework on a whole food plant based diet, watching the Netflix movie Forks Over Knives would be a great place to start. Yes, you absolutely CAN reverse diabetes.17
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Great responses. Very helpful.0
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I was prediabetic and reversed my IR using a very low carb diet (I did use a ketogenic diet). My BG was better within days, and I started losing weight with greater ease once I lowered carbs.
IMO, the best ways to control IR is food choices (lower carb and mostly avoiding refined carbs), weight loss, exercise, lower stress and sleep. The fastest way to improve BG will be food choices.psychod787 wrote: »You cant reverse diabetes. It is progressive. All you can do is manage the symptoms. I have so far. A1c 6.3 at one time and had a fasting bs of 337. A1c 3 weeksago 4.8. We shall wait and see.
I disagree with this. I know a number of people who have made changes in food, weight, and lifestyle who have reversed t2d or other IR conditions. My blood does not test as anything but normal now. People maintain that reversal by continuing their changes. It appears you have reversed things for yourself too. Congrats.
I guess this could be seen as semantics - but Diabetes is not reversible
People can reduce, sometimes to nothing, their need for medication by losing weight and changing their WOE.
This means they are now diet controlled diabetics -and as long as they maintain their weight and their WOE, their blood results can stay in normal range - which is what you are saying too, I think with "maintain their reversal by continuing their changes"
Using the word reversal gives wrong impression to me, makes it sound cured or temporary - it is ongoing control rather than reversal
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paperpudding wrote: »I was prediabetic and reversed my IR using a very low carb diet (I did use a ketogenic diet). My BG was better within days, and I started losing weight with greater ease once I lowered carbs.
IMO, the best ways to control IR is food choices (lower carb and mostly avoiding refined carbs), weight loss, exercise, lower stress and sleep. The fastest way to improve BG will be food choices.psychod787 wrote: »You cant reverse diabetes. It is progressive. All you can do is manage the symptoms. I have so far. A1c 6.3 at one time and had a fasting bs of 337. A1c 3 weeksago 4.8. We shall wait and see.
I disagree with this. I know a number of people who have made changes in food, weight, and lifestyle who have reversed t2d or other IR conditions. My blood does not test as anything but normal now. People maintain that reversal by continuing their changes. It appears you have reversed things for yourself too. Congrats.
I guess this could be seen as semantics - but Diabetes is not reversible
People can reduce, sometimes to nothing, their need for medication by losing weight and changing their WOE.
This means they are now diet controlled diabetics -and as long as they maintain their weight and their WOE, their blood results can stay in normal range - which is what you are saying too, I think with "maintain their reversal by continuing their changes"
Using the word reversal gives wrong impression to me, makes it sound cured or temporary - it is ongoing control rather than reversal
Yeah, to me it's akin to saying I've reversed my celiac disease by avoiding gluten.
I still have celiac disease. I simply manage it.
Again, it's semantics. I can see the other side where you feel that you've reversed the numbers and all that, but to me it does connote the idea that the disease is gone. I get that it's not that way for everyone, though.10 -
Good advise, I "wish" I could add the moderate/ vigorous activity - an auto accident in 2009 left me with some spine & tailbone, pain mgmt issues...(elderly woman ran a red light and hit me in drivers door going 45 mph). I have my tracker set to the sedentary. I had another minor accident (rear end), and fall last year out of the tub (:( I can't believe I did that) which aggravated it further. So for now, My running and elliptical days I think are over, at least until I get my weight down. I'm really-really hoping the weight loss will allow me to start doing more and (maybe help with pain). I've done everything else - acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, pain meds, multiple therapists, etc etc., reduced driving. On the horizon, I plan on adding swimming back towards the third week in December, but I'll need to carve out specific times and be dedicated to it.
I have arthritis and started doing aquafit. It’s wonderful! I can do a whole range of motions and exercises in the water for an hour each time and nothing hurts. Just feel really energize.0 -
amberellen12 wrote: »Good advise, I "wish" I could add the moderate/ vigorous activity - an auto accident in 2009 left me with some spine & tailbone, pain mgmt issues...(elderly woman ran a red light and hit me in drivers door going 45 mph). I have my tracker set to the sedentary. I had another minor accident (rear end), and fall last year out of the tub (:( I can't believe I did that) which aggravated it further. So for now, My running and elliptical days I think are over, at least until I get my weight down. I'm really-really hoping the weight loss will allow me to start doing more and (maybe help with pain). I've done everything else - acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, pain meds, multiple therapists, etc etc., reduced driving. On the horizon, I plan on adding swimming back towards the third week in December, but I'll need to carve out specific times and be dedicated to it.
I have arthritis and started doing aquafit. It’s wonderful! I can do a whole range of motions and exercises in the water for an hour each time and nothing hurts. Just feel really energize.
I'm not a class/participation type person, so aquafit wasn't a good fit for me. Water jogging however? I bought myself an aquajogging belt, a waterproof music player, and had at it. It looks extremely silly while you're doing it, but it's a very good workout.
Just offering this as a suggestion for all the introverts out there!7 -
I'm not a class/participation type person, so aquafit wasn't a good fit for me. Water jogging however? I bought myself an aquajogging belt, a waterproof music player, and had at it. It looks extremely silly while you're doing it, but it's a very good workout.
Just offering this as a suggestion for all the introverts out there![/quote]
I hear what you’re saying. I don’t always do my aquafit in a class. Once I learned the exercises I do them in a lake or ocean or pool by myself. Just so long as I can get it in. Unfortunately where I live there isn’t a pool and far too cold outside -15c today. So I can only do it in the warm/ hot months.2 -
Good advise, I "wish" I could add the moderate/ vigorous activity - an auto accident in 2009 left me with some spine & tailbone, pain mgmt issues...(elderly woman ran a red light and hit me in drivers door going 45 mph). I have my tracker set to the sedentary. I had another minor accident (rear end), and fall last year out of the tub (:( I can't believe I did that) which aggravated it further. So for now, My running and elliptical days I think are over, at least until I get my weight down. I'm really-really hoping the weight loss will allow me to start doing more and (maybe help with pain). I've done everything else - acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, pain meds, multiple therapists, etc etc., reduced driving. On the horizon, I plan on adding swimming back towards the third week in December, but I'll need to carve out specific times and be dedicated to it.
Are you familiar with Jon Kabat-Zinn's work on management of chronic pain? He's known for meditation, but he also has a yoga routine that is super gentle and might work for you. My Mom has it on cassette and unfortunately that may be the only version currently available: https://smile.amazon.com/Sitting-Meditation-Mindfulness-Practice-Cassette/dp/B009AB8QAQ/
This CD is not currently available on Amazon, but you may find it elsewhere: https://smile.amazon.com/Guided-Mindfulness-Meditation-Mindful-Yoga/dp/B00DW5UGZE/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1544289326&sr=8-9&keywords=Jon+Kabat-Zinn+yoga
See also:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Kabat-Zinn
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3897551
Enjoy swimming!1 -
Hi darlin', I too am pre diabetic. I had diabetes with 2 of my pregnancies, and it runs rampant in my family. I've lost 30 pounds so far and my fasting number went from 115, down to 108, then about a week ago my doctor did a random finger prick, about 45 minutes after I ate a huge dinner and had an energy drink, and my number came back 105. He said he feels safe to say I've reversed it, but we're not 100% sure yet. Losing weight has helped a lot. My original goal was to lose 40 pounds, I've lost 30. I'm still going to lose this last 10!3
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Just FYI the finger prick blood test is only accurate to within ten percent. So a level of 100 can give a reading anywhere from 90 to 110.3
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paperpudding wrote: »I was prediabetic and reversed my IR using a very low carb diet (I did use a ketogenic diet). My BG was better within days, and I started losing weight with greater ease once I lowered carbs.
IMO, the best ways to control IR is food choices (lower carb and mostly avoiding refined carbs), weight loss, exercise, lower stress and sleep. The fastest way to improve BG will be food choices.psychod787 wrote: »You cant reverse diabetes. It is progressive. All you can do is manage the symptoms. I have so far. A1c 6.3 at one time and had a fasting bs of 337. A1c 3 weeksago 4.8. We shall wait and see.
I disagree with this. I know a number of people who have made changes in food, weight, and lifestyle who have reversed t2d or other IR conditions. My blood does not test as anything but normal now. People maintain that reversal by continuing their changes. It appears you have reversed things for yourself too. Congrats.
I guess this could be seen as semantics - but Diabetes is not reversible
People can reduce, sometimes to nothing, their need for medication by losing weight and changing their WOE.
This means they are now diet controlled diabetics -and as long as they maintain their weight and their WOE, their blood results can stay in normal range - which is what you are saying too, I think with "maintain their reversal by continuing their changes"
Using the word reversal gives wrong impression to me, makes it sound cured or temporary - it is ongoing control rather than reversal
Thank you! Exactly this. My A1c has been consistently under 5 for two years now, which is normal levels. But give me a head cold, or a big roll of bread, and you will quickly learn I am still diabetic. I just manage my disease with diet and exercise, it's not gone.7 -
paperpudding wrote: »I was prediabetic and reversed my IR using a very low carb diet (I did use a ketogenic diet). My BG was better within days, and I started losing weight with greater ease once I lowered carbs.
IMO, the best ways to control IR is food choices (lower carb and mostly avoiding refined carbs), weight loss, exercise, lower stress and sleep. The fastest way to improve BG will be food choices.psychod787 wrote: »You cant reverse diabetes. It is progressive. All you can do is manage the symptoms. I have so far. A1c 6.3 at one time and had a fasting bs of 337. A1c 3 weeksago 4.8. We shall wait and see.
I disagree with this. I know a number of people who have made changes in food, weight, and lifestyle who have reversed t2d or other IR conditions. My blood does not test as anything but normal now. People maintain that reversal by continuing their changes. It appears you have reversed things for yourself too. Congrats.
I guess this could be seen as semantics - but Diabetes is not reversible
People can reduce, sometimes to nothing, their need for medication by losing weight and changing their WOE.
This means they are now diet controlled diabetics -and as long as they maintain their weight and their WOE, their blood results can stay in normal range - which is what you are saying too, I think with "maintain their reversal by continuing their changes"
Using the word reversal gives wrong impression to me, makes it sound cured or temporary - it is ongoing control rather than reversal
It is semantics, I agree. I suppose it depends on your point of view.
I think the term "reversed" can be applied to diabetics who get better (better BG and insulin levels, and reduced or eliminated meds) as long as one continues with their modified lifestyle to a certain degree.
Sort of like how a person is a non smoker as long as they don't smoke again but as soon as they resume smoking they are a smoker. If one goes back to eating poorly and gaining weight, chances are they will become diabetic again. Likewise the longer they keep weight off, eat better, reduce stress, etc., the less impact a carby meal may have on their health.
Unfortunately, once T2D or IR hits a certain point, there is less chance of a reversal and regaining good health. I was lucky and caught IR in the prediabetic stage. I am healthier metabolically now than I was 10 or possibly 20 years ago.
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I have made huge improvements to my type 2 diabetes and overall health by going whole foods plant based. I eat low fat, minimal processed foods, and no animal products. I was on 3 oral diabetes meds with an a1c of 7.1. Now I am on 1/2 dose of one of those meds a year later with an a1c of 6.1. I have lost 130 pounds (in 1.5 years) with a bunch still to go, and am also off blood pressure and cholesterol meds. My body fasting blood sugar very slowly improved eating this way and my doctor slowly took me off meds. I was shocked I could improve so much while still not being in a healthy weight range.
There are different ways that people choose to improve their t2 diabetes with food and exercise. You have to find something that is sustainable for you and that your body responds to. Forks Over Knives changed my life and I will eat like this the rest of my life. Good luck!2 -
psychod787 wrote: »You cant reverse diabetes. It is progressive. All you can do is manage the symptoms. I have so far. A1c 6.3 at one time and had a fasting bs of 337. A1c 3 weeksago 4.8. We shall wait and see.
Wanna bet? Type 2 Diabetes can be reversed ! https://diabetes.org.uk/research/research-round-up/research-spotlight/research-spotlight-low-calorie-liquid-diet3 -
psychod787 wrote: »You cant reverse diabetes. It is progressive. All you can do is manage the symptoms. I have so far. A1c 6.3 at one time and had a fasting bs of 337. A1c 3 weeksago 4.8. We shall wait and see.
Wanna bet? Type 2 Diabetes can be reversed ! https://diabetes.org.uk/research/research-round-up/research-spotlight/research-spotlight-low-calorie-liquid-diet
The problem is that so many people equate the symptoms with the disease itself. The article talks about remission, not reversal. In other words (quoted from the article) "But what does remission actually mean? It’s when blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels are in a normal range again.". That is managing the symptoms.
Diabetes is caused by either the beta cells in the pancreas burning out and not producing enough insulin to properly deal with the glucose in the bloodstream, or the cells in the body being resistant to the insulin produced. High glucose in the bloodstream is the #1 symptom. The problem (cause) will always be there even if the glucose levels are normal. You can reverse the symptoms, not the cause. You can only manage the cause.8 -
psychod787 wrote: »You cant reverse diabetes. It is progressive. All you can do is manage the symptoms. I have so far. A1c 6.3 at one time and had a fasting bs of 337. A1c 3 weeksago 4.8. We shall wait and see.
Wanna bet? Type 2 Diabetes can be reversed ! https://diabetes.org.uk/research/research-round-up/research-spotlight/research-spotlight-low-calorie-liquid-diet
It says right in there that folks in remission still have diabetes, they are just adequately controlling it through weight loss and diet.
OP I've seen plenty of posts here from people who have been able to reduce or eliminate their medication over time by losing weight and being more active. Best wishes for you to do the same!4 -
Insulin levels can fall and become normal again. Not in all, but iIR reversal can happen . Imo1
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@IsETHome I have been eating Keto for over four years because of other health issues and one of the side effects has been finally having fast blood glucose levels below 100 since I can remember. It is hard to be low carb and slip into being a type 2 diabetic it seems.
Best of success in finding a Way of Eating that works best in your case.2 -
Insulin levels can fall and become normal again. Not in all, but iIR reversal can happen . Imo
Once again, it is the symptoms that are in remission (or reversed if you prefer), not the cause of them. The cause will always be there with the exception of situational diabetes like gestational where the cause goes away when the woman's body returns to pre-pregnancy levels.
The body does not handle glucose properly. That is diabetes. Eat more foods that convert to glucose than your body is able to handle and your average blood glucose number will rise (as measured by the A1c) which is the symptom. As long as the cause is there, the symptom will return if you go back to old eating habits. That is not a reversal of the disease, it is a reversal of the symptoms.7
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