Turning on diabetes with your diet, is that possible?

Turning on diabetes with your diet, is that possible?
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Turning on diabetes with your diet, is that possible?

Diabetes, also known as diabetes, is a chronic condition that is increasingly common worldwide. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1, where the body does not produce insulin, and type 2, where the body does not respond well to insulin. Although type 1 diabetes cannot be cured, there are more and more indications that type 2 diabetes can go into remission through nutrition and lifestyle changes. Dr. ir. Eric de Maerteleire, author of various books on health and healthy food, explains.

Also read: Do you get diabetes by eating too much sugar?

Table of Contents

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes insulin resistant. This means that the cells respond less well to insulin, a hormone that is essential for the regulation of blood sugar levels. As a result, too much sugar continues to circulate in the blood, which in the long term can lead to serious complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney diseases and nerve damage.

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Can you heal diabetes?

More and more research indicates that you can reverse type 2 diabetes. It is crucial to drastically intervene as quickly as possible after the diagnosis and the age of patients would also play a considerable role. There is more and more evidence that in many cases you can effectively reverse the disease, so that patients can return to a life without diabetes medication and complaints. Patients who succeed are 'in remission'. Most scientists assume that you cannot really heal from diabetes. As soon as you let go of the good habits, the symptoms will probably arise again.

Also read: Insulin resistance: symptoms and how to reverse?

What is the role of diet in diabetes?

Nutrition plays a crucial role in the management of diabetes. A diet that is rich in fiber, healthy fats and lean proteins, and that is poor on processed foods and sugars, can help to control blood sugar levels.

But can a diet actually reverse diabetes?

A number of studies show that a strict diet and weight loss can lead to the remission of type 2 diabetes. A well-known example is the direct study (Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial) in the United Kingdom, where participants followed a very low-calorie diet. The results showed that almost half of the participants no longer met the criteria for diabetes after a year.

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A Qatarese study also comes to this conclusion. New research from the Weill Cornell Medicine Medical Center in Qatar offers diabetic patients hope that they can reverse their condition in a relatively short time, by radically changing their lifestyle. About 160 people, on average 42 years old, participated in the study. The participants had received their diagnosis at most three years before.

A number of people received the standard treatment for a year, in which medication plays a determining role. The others received an innovative treatment in which the focus was on healthy eating, with a particularly strict diet in the beginning, and a lot of exercise. The latter had to do exercise at least 150 minutes a week and preferably also take at least 10,000 steps a day. After a year, the innovative treatment had ensured that participants had lost an average of 12 kg, while the standard treatment had only led to an average weight loss of 4 kg. In the group that focused on lifestyle changes, no less than 61% of the people succeeded in turning the condition, while the percentage by 12% was a lot lower in the group with the usual method.

This is in line with the results of the direct study from the UK. According to the researchers in Qatar, their results were even better because their participants were on average about ten years younger and more recently diagnosed with diabetes.

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According to lead researcher Shahrad Taheri, this study could mean a turning point. “It shows that if you lose weight early enough in the disease process, you can actually turn back the disease,” he said. “This way you can avoid all related health problems and limitations of your quality of life.” Taheri argues to combine early screening with adjustments to the lifestyle in order to immediately suppress the condition, “instead of having people take several medicines for the rest of their lives.”

Is ketogenic diet healthy for those who have diabetes?

The ketogenic diet is very low in carbohydrates and high in fats, so that the body enters a state of ketosis. During ketosis, the body burns fat instead of glucose for energy. Several small studies have suggested that the ketogenic diet can improve insulin sensitivity and stabilize blood sugar levels. But, to be clear, this diet is difficult to sustain and is interesting if it is applied for a few months with the main purpose of weight loss. People with obesity in particular are very vulnerable to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Also read: The keto diet: fast weight loss, but is it healthy?

Is Intermittent Fasting good for people with diabetes?

Intermittering fasting, where people eat fixed and then again during certain periods, has also produced promising results. This diet can help to lower insulin levels and promote weight loss, which are both beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes.

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Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach, there are some general nutritional advice that can help in controlling and possibly reversing type 2 diabetes:

Limit the intake of sugars and refined carbohydrates: avoid sweet drinks, candy and processed foods.
Eat more fiber: fiber -rich foods such as vegetables, fruit, full grains and legumes help stabilize blood sugar levels.
Choose healthy fats: avocados, nuts, seeds and olive oil can help improve insulin sensitivity.
Stay hydrated: drinking enough water is important for overall health and the management of blood sugar levels.
Regular exercise: Combine a healthy diet with regular physical activity to achieve the best results (10,000 steps/day).

Also read: Types of fats and the effect on our body

Conclusions

Although the reversal of type 2 diabetes via food is possible, it requires a considerable deployment and lifestyle change. It is important to work together with care providers to develop a personal plan that fits in individual needs and goals. Nutrition can be a powerful tool in the fight against diabetes, but it is just one aspect of a holistic approach to health and well -being. You have to look out for overweight and certainly people with obesity have a high risk profile. Movement also plays a very important role.

Sources:

https://www.thelancet.com

Michael EJ Lean et al. (2018). Primary Care-LED Weight Management for Remission of Type 2 Diabetes (Direct): AN Open label, Cluster-Randomised Trial. Randomized Controlled Trial. Lancet. Feb 10; 391 (10120): 541-551.

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Michael EJ Lean et al. (2024). 5-year follow-up of the randomized diabetes remission clinical trial (direct) or continued support for Weight Loss Maintenance in the UK: An Extension Study. Randomized Controlled Trial. Lancet diabetes endocrinol.; Apr; 12 (4): 233-246.

Samuel Klein, Amalia Gastaldelli, Hannele Yki-Järvinen, Philipp E Scherer (2022). Why Does Obesity Cause Diabetes? Cell Metab.; Jan 4; 34 (1): 11-20.

Last updated: January 2025