Dr Taylor here in the UK is in the process of starting a larger study to support his smaller study that suggested that a true reversal is possible. And he isn't trying to sell a book or program, in fact he has published all the details for other doctors and patients to review and try.

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/reversal.htm

I have never heard of a true reversal either. That may be because, in some limited number of patients it is theoretically possible, just extraordinarily difficult.

If someone is diagnosed as type 2 with the further disctinction of being insulin resistant secondary to obesity theoretically if they cease to be obese they should also cease to be diabetic. An opinion I've heard seconded by a couple of docs. Sadly, almost noone who has become sufficiently obese and sedentary to cause diabetes seems to be able to change that soon enough and long term enough to heal the system. Besides, diabetes and insulin resistance are not usually caused by obesity alone.

judyvalentine512 wrote: »

My old supervisor was type 2 for years, high cholesterol, high blood pressure. He joined weight watchers, began walking daily, and one year later is off all meds. He does have to continue his new lifestyle for life, but it's been a year and he's still doing well.

This is my goal!

just removed from metformin . i was told i was diabetic and put on it 2 years ago feb. since than 1 have lost roughly 75 pounds and have been non level for more than a year . started at 3 pills per day . so yes it is helped by weight loss and diet . my father did the same thing

shinycrazy wrote: »

mmarshall74 wrote: »

I am even wondering if I was not truly diabetic and just insulin resistant due to my poor diet and being significantly obese. Also, I do eat less carbs than before (I ate tons and tons before), but I don't eat low carbs. I try to stay under 220g per day, sometimes a little over but my blood sugars still remain better than those without diabetes. I have lost ~90lbs to date with more plans to lose more.

First, congrats on your losses!

I wonder too if sometimes doctor's are quick to slap on the diagnosis in order to get treatment rolling when it's not quite diabetic, but insulin resistant as you mentioned. Especially since you experience normal reactions to increased carb intake now. Has your doctor removed the diagnosis from your "current conditions" info? I'm just curious. (I work in life insurance and I know that my diagnosis significantly affects what kind of rates I will get). Again well done and I wish you continued success!

Thanks!!!!!.... I would imaging my doctor has it still listed on my medical records, and I'm ok with that. I'm sure most of the patients he treats requires medication and/or insulin and few manage with diet and exercise alone. I think I always have to be aware of my (and my bodys) potential to become diabetic. My doctor is a little less positive about patients managing diabetes for the long term with diet and exercise. One of my goals is to change his thinking in this regards by reversing (or maintaining.... whichever) my diabetes and keeping my blood sugar levels in normal or better than normal range for life. He very much follows diabetic and AHA guidelines... and I just know to keep my blood levels where the need to be and he wont put me on mediations. He did talk about putting me on a statin as my cholesterol is good for a normal person but new guidelines suggest diabetics have higher good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol than even average persons.... however, if he insists on this in the future I may look for a second opinion. The way I look at it is if my blood levels are of a normal (or better than normal) person then why would I need additional precautions against diabetic complications. I understand that diabetes (or even insulin resistance) may have already damaged some organs (even though all my kidney, liver, eye sight, podiatry test have been negative). I know that my blood sugar is not currently damaging anything.

mmarshall74 wrote: »

I was diagnosed t2 diabetic in Feb 2015.... since March 2016, I've been off all diabetes medications as my A1C went from 10.3 to 4.8 with diet and exercise. When I eat carbs now my body does not respond the same way... I get normal blood sugar rise in response to the carbs and it comes back down in a normal time period. No one would be able to tell I'm diabetic without looking at my history. If I went back to eating like crap and put on weight I'm sure the diabetes would return, but I consider myself reversed t2 diabetic. I understand everyone's progression with diabetes is different and everyone's pancreas function is different, so I'm not sure everyone with t2 can reverse their condition, but I believe I did. I am even wondering if I was not truly diabetic and just insulin resistant due to my poor diet and being significantly obese. Also, I do eat less carbs than before (I ate tons and tons before), but I don't eat low carbs. I try to stay under 220g per day, sometimes a little over but my blood sugars still remain better than those without diabetes. I have lost ~90lbs to date with more plans to lose more.

Whew. 90 lbs. makes me tired thinking about.

How much did you need to lose before your BG levels really started coming down?

Nice going!

Thanks for your insights.

No ill effects from the Metformin, I assume.... or were you Jonesing to get off it?

Apparently you don't need it, so either way, adieu!

judyvalentine512 wrote: »

Because of the damage to my pancreas resulting in chronic pancreatitis, I don't think I will ever be non-diabetic again. I still get po'd at the doctor who screwed up the original surgery and left me with less pancreas and type 2, but hey, life goes on.

Oh, that is beyond frustrating! This makes me heated!!!!

My mom had a doctor that prescribed her 2 meds that shouldn't be taken together and put her in kidney failure (not sure what stage, it's stable at the moment without dialysis). The doctor actually "fired" her because she kept missing appointment due to feeling bad. The new doctor immediately changed her meds.

@judyvalentine512 I just want you to know that I think of you often and I'm always pulling for you!! *hugs* You always aim for a good attitude about the hand you were dealt and I'm awed by it. Take care.

Congratulations Marshall 74!!! Well done!!!

I absolutely envy you for dumping Metformin. YMMV - if it were me (an old T2D bird who came late to the LCHF dance) with 5.8/104 BG after fasting (for at least 8 hours?), I might still take a Metformin before bed and, either way, watch post-meal BG and A1c like a hungry hawk!

amclean1 wrote: »

Hi I have been deep into the LCHF literature and now the Newcastle University study regarding the amazing results they had reversing diabetes. I also note that the group were awarded a massive grant ever given to follow up with further research. It all seems sound as a pound,. What I can't seem to see is loads of prediabetic and diabetics type 2 taking the eight week 800 cal program and reporting on the success or otherwise. Is this because MFP is so rigid that it won't let us discuss promising new research. It is quite clear to me that the guidelines on nutrition that we have all followed for the last 4 decades has so spectacularly failed us that it is time to open up the discussion and recognise that old mantras of 1200 Cal's just don't add up.

Sorry for the late reply - there's been some discussion lately of the Blood Sugar Solution and other very low calorie diet plans to combat Type 2 Diabetes. Despite clear evidence that the Newcastle approach is a serious, science-based approach to T2D, it does appear that, yes, the MFP goalie considers it to be health-endangering and unproven and has, therefore, closed at least some discussions on the topic.