5 Myths & Facts about Diabetes Remission

There has been a significant rise in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes worldwide. About 422 million people are living with type 2 diabetes today. In India alone, an estimated 77 million people are affected by the condition, and nearly 25 million live with prediabetes. Over 50% of people are unaware of their diabetes status.

Since type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition, we can only manage it using medications and lifestyle modifications. However, in the past few years, there has been an increased interest in diabetes remission. Diabetes remission is when people with type 2 diabetes are able to maintain their blood sugar levels within the normal range, do not experience any signs and symptoms of the condition and are doing so with lifestyle modifications without taking anti-diabetes medications.

While diabetes remission is a possibility that can significantly improve the health and quality of life of those with type 2 diabetes, there are a lot of myths surrounding it. Believing myths and not understanding the facts behind what diabetes remission is and how it works can be dangerous to people, with a risk of it becoming a life-threatening condition.

In this article, we take you through 5 common myths and facts surrounding diabetes remission to help you understand the phenomenon better!

5 Myths and Facts About Diabetes Remission

Let’s deep dive into this diabetes remission myth-busting journey that gives you a clearer idea about what it is.

Myth #1: Remission is the reversal of diabetes

Fact: If you have ever tried to look for diabetes ‘remission’, you may have encountered the phrase ‘diabetes reversal’. The word reversal instantly makes people presume that type 2 diabetes can be ‘reversed’ or ‘cured’, and you can return to your disease-free state. However, here’s what you should know- reversal and remission are not the same. While diabetes can go into remission for a long period of time, it cannot be reversed. However, if you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, it can be reversed and prevented from progressing to type 2 diabetes.

Myth #2: Diabetes remission programs are for anyone with diabetes

Fact: Diabetes remission may sound exciting and relieving to anyone with type 2 diabetes. However, not everyone with the condition can undergo or attempt remission. Most diabetologists recommend a remission program to individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are:

• Over 18 years of age
• Overweight
• Obese
• Have been recently diagnosed with diabetes

A diabetes remission program is not recommended in individuals:

• With a very long duration of type 2 diabetes
• Who are on high doses of anti-diabetes medication or insulin
• With diabetes-related complications
• With end-organ diabetes conditions
• With type 1 diabetes/ Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults (LADA)
• Pregnant women with gestational diabetes

While it may seem like the best way to manage type 2 diabetes, remission is not suitable for everyone. You must always consult your doctor before starting a diabetes remission program to ensure it is safe for you.

Myth #3: You can stop taking your medicines when you start a diabetes remission program

Fact: Diabetes remission is said to be achieved if you are able to maintain your blood sugar levels within the normal range for atleast one year without any medications. However, stopping your medicines when you begin your remission program is NOT okay.

You must not stop your anti-diabetes medications without consulting your doctor. After evaluating your condition, your doctor might reduce your medicine dose as per blood sugars.

Myth #4: Diabetes remission is permanent

Fact: Diabetes remission is the most desirable outcome of type 2 diabetes management. However, it is not a one-time or one-off event that is permanent. The process of diabetes remission is indeed a continuous one. So, if you have successfully achieved weight loss and are able to maintain your weight within the optimum range, you can ensure your diabetes remission for a prolonged period of time.

If you gain weight after achieving remission, you may need more assistance and support from your doctor regarding diet, fitness regime and any other interventions they deem necessary.

Myth#5: I can undergo weight loss myself to achieve remission

Fact: With social media being flooded with several diet plans endorsed by influencers and celebrities, losing weight may seem like an easy task for most people. However, if you have diabetes and wish to achieve remission, it is important to achieve weight loss safely and healthily.

Undergoing unmonitored, unregulated and unguided weight loss by following fad diets or other people’s diets without consulting an expert can result in not just fat loss but also protein loss. This can cause an imbalance in blood sugar levels, which can further lead to complications for people with type 2 diabetes.

While  opting for diabetes remission,you can achieve excellent results if you  do so under the guidance of a team of qualified diabetologists, nutritionists, and fitness experts and also psychology coach. Three pillars of safe weight loss for diabetes remission include:

• Eating a very low-calorie diet or a low-carbohydrate diet with adequate protein content (only under a doctor or nutritionist’s supervision)
• Exercise: Regular aerobic and weight training exercises that help burn excess fat.
• Sleep and stress management
• Bariatric surgery: The rates of diabetes remission have been found to be high in type 2 diabetes patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.

FitterTake

Diabetes remission has gathered a lot of interest worldwide due to the improvement it brings about in the health and overall well-being of people with type 2 diabetes. While type 2 diabetes is a chronic or life-long condition, you can manage it effectively by working towards remission. While signing up for diabetes remission, you must remember that it is a continuous process that requires you to stick to your lifestyle changes and follow up with your doctor regularly to monitor your blood sugar levels.

If you are interested in achieving diabetes remission, sign up for Fitterfly’s Diabetes Care Program has been curated by expert diabetologists. If you want to speak with us, just give us a missed call at 08069450746, and we will get back to you.

**Diabetes Remission is the clinical term for Diabetes Reversal.