Reversing Type 2 Diabetes – Is it possible?

 

 Well, in a word...YES!  But let me clear one thing up.  Don't confuse “reversal” with “cure” - because there is no “cure”.  What's the difference?  I knew you were going to ask...let me explain.

You got diabetes from one of three avenues – genetics, you lifestyle, or a combination of those two.  Once you get diabetes (and I'm talking type 2), you got it.  All you can do now is change some things in your lifestyle to “reverse” the disease, but when you stop living that “healthy” lifestyle...BOOM...your type 2 returns and sometimes is even worse! Here, let me give you a little more information.

When you read about Diabetes in general, the first thing you will come across is that it is a chronic and progressive disease – basically, a life sentence, once you are diagnosed with it. What doesn't immediately pop up is that type 2 diabetes is actually almost always reversible. Sounds too good to be true, right? Wrong!

Well, for the doubters, let's have a look at how diabetes progresses. The typical cause of type 2 diabetes is obesity related, having the following characteristics.

•    High-calorie diet – particularly refined carbs
•    Weight gained around the mid-section
•    High insulin levels – causing increased weight gain
•    Body's resistance to insulin – causing an increase in blood sugar levels
•    Lethargic feeling – leading to inactivity
•    Hunger – leading to sporadic feeding and overeating
•    Beta cell damage – the body struggles to produce insulin and recognizable symptoms appear

From this, we see that type 2 diabetes is mainly caused by poor lifestyle choices. However, the good news for over the over 50% of American adults who have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes is that it is completely reversible. Recognising that you have the power to reverse the disease is actually the first step to remission. The only way to sustain this change is through diet and lifestyle changes. Diabetes medications will not permanently reverse the disease. Actually, insulin is notorious for causing weight gain. Also, you may treat the symptoms associated with diabetes, such as lowering your blood sugar levels, but that will only make you feel like the disease is getting better when it actually isn't.

So, how can you reverse your diabetes?

The main feature in type 2 pre-diabetic and diabetic patients is that their bodies are filled with sugar. Yes, I said FILLED. Not only is there sugar in their bloodstream, but it is everywhere! When we start out – i.e. when we are born – our sugar levels are at a minimum. We then start eating all the wrong food. Sugary snacks, desserts and a whole lot of white bread. This continues for years and years until our bodies just cannot take it anymore. So what do you do about it?

1. Stop taking in all that sugar

Eliminate all the sugary foods and refined starches from your diet. The only benefit of sugar is it tastes good in your mouth. It no nutritional value and can thus be eliminated from your diet. Starches are simply long chains of sugars which are quickly absorbed into the blood.

2. Burn off all the sugar you have accumulated.

Committing to a regular workout schedule will help you burn off all that sugar. If you have a mostly sedentary lifestyle, sitting at a computer all day, take a ten-minute break every so often. Walk around your office block a couple of times or go up and down the stairs.

You can start your journey to getting rid of your type 2 diabetes today. Right now even! All without the heaps of cash you'd part with for medication or surgery.

Jeffrey Dale is a Type 2 Diabetic and asks the questions, "Can you be a Type 2 Diabetic and poke fun at the disease, or will it get mad at you if you do"? He shares everything he's learned - the hard way - as an "expert" on his blog at http://www.reversingtype2diabetes.info