Exclusive Interview with a Diabetologist on Diabetes Reversal
Each article on the fitterfly website is a labor of love, reviewed by a team of certified medical experts specializing in various fields like Diabetology, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, Psychology.
They carefully examine all references and facts to provide up-to-date and reliable information, aiming to break myths and empower you in your health journey.
Meet Our Reviewing Team
Dr. Vidya Jaydeep Walinjkar
Dr. Vidya Walinjkar has 14 yrs of experience as a diabetologist and physician. She currently works as a Consulting Diabetologist and Program Consultant for Type 2 diabetes members at Fitterfly.
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Diabetes, a chronic condition that affects millions of individuals in India and across the globe, has been the subject of extensive research and discussion. Among the many aspects of diabetes management and care, one topic that has gained increasing attention is the possibility of diabetes reversal**.
In this exclusive interview with our in-house expert diabetologist, we have covered all your queries and considerations surrounding diabetes reversal, exploring the prerequisites, strategies, and post-remission guidelines.
Prior to Remission
1. Can I undergo remission?
Before we answer this question, we need complete information about your Diabetes, type, duration, family history, medications, any other illness that you have.
Depending upon your profile we will be able to tell you if you are a candidate for remission or not.
2. I am newly diagnosed with diabetes. Should I aim for remission?
Yes, If you have been newly detected with Diabetes your chances of remission are high but we need to know complete information about your diabetes before we decide the same.
3. I have liver/kidney problem should I aim for remission?
If you have any co-morbid condition or illness along with Diabtes in that case it is not advisable to aim for remission but its advised to talk to your doctor about the same.
4. I have type 1 diabetes. Can I reverse my diabetes?
No, type 1 Diabetes needs insulin only for blood sugar control and it can not be reversed.
5. Do you suggest any special drink/food for remission?
Though there is no special kind of food, or drink that is advised during remission however you need to follow the diet advise given to you in terms of VLCD/LCD.
6. I have diabetes for >20 years. Should I aim for remission?
Chronic long-standing diabetes has lesser chances of remission, still, it depends upon your complete information like the type of medications, complications etc.
To know your chances of Diabetes reversal, take the Diabetes Reversal TestDiabetes Reversal
Calculator
7. I am on ayurvedic medicines for Diabetes. Can I opt for remission?
You need to talk to your treating health care professional about your medicines and then opt for remission.
8. I have Heart disease/Hypertension. Can I reverse my diabetes?
In case you have any comorbid illness, It’s better to talk to your treating health care professional regarding it.
9. Should I stop my BP/Cholesterol medicines before reversal?
You should not stop any medications without your doctor’s advice while planning for remission.
10. I have a stone in my pancreas. Can I reverse my Diabetes?
It’s not advisable to opt for reversal in case of pancreatic diabetes. Consult your healthcare provider, before opting for any such program.
11. I have been on Insulin injections multiple times. Can I reverse or stop my insulin?
In the case of type 1 DM reversal is not advisable. In case you have type 2 dm and you are on insulin don’t stop insulin without consulting your treating consultant.
12. Shall I continue my thyroid or other medicines during reversal?
Yes, you need to continue your other medications. It is not advisable to stop any drug without Doctor’s advice.
13. Do I need to get any blood tests before starting the reversal?
Yes, Ideally you should have a complete checkup before opting for your reversal journey.
14. My friend has reversed his diabetes. Can I reverse it too?
It depends upon your complete profile including history and investigations. So speak to your doctor.
15. Everyone in my family has diabetes can I reverse my diabetes?
It seems you have a strong family history of diabetes. Still, you can opt for remission of diabetes.
16. My Dr said I have prediabetes. Can I reverse it?
Yes, prediabetes has better chances of undergoing remission.
17. How much time will it take to reverse my diabetes?
There is no fixed timeline that can be decided however it varies from a few months to a year to undergo remission.
18. Will I be able to stop my medicines completely?
If you are able to maintain normal blood sugars without the use of diabetes medications it is called your diabetes has gone into remission.
During Remission Journey
Now that we’ve explored the considerations leading up to diabetes remission, let’s find out the expert strategies and lifestyle changes necessary during the remission journey.
1. Can I eat normal food during my reversal journey?
Yes, you can absolutely have normal food during your reversal journey, remember moderation is the key.
2. What diet do I follow to reverse my Diabetes?
To reverse diabetes one needs to have normal food but it should be a balance of Fiber, protein, whole grains, and healthy fats.
3. What exercise do I need to do to reverse my diabetes?
When it comes to exercise, there is no “one size fits all” or “5 must-do exercises to reduce sugars’ that can work.
Exercises have to be tailored according to multiple factors such as your physical activity status, presence of pain (if any), and your fitness level (which a physiotherapist determines through a thorough fitness assessment). Ideally, we need a combination of strength training, aerobic exercise, and flexibility training to be done for at least 150 minutes/week.
4. Will I have to stop eating normal/cooked food to achieve remission?
No, absolutely not. One can have normal food and cooked food. There are absolutely no issues with that. We can choose low glycemic index foods to make sure that sugar doesn’t spike.
5. Will I have to take a liquid diet during the reversal?
You need not be on a liquid diet in order to achieve remission in diabetes. You need to follow your qualified expert nutritionist’s advice.
6. Can I follow intermittent fasting during reversal?
One can follow Intermittent fasting. Just remember to talk to your doctor so that you can adjust your medications according to the timing. It is not compulsory to follow but if one wishes to follow, they can. Consistency is the key, whichever diet you follow.
7. Can I take a fruit diet during reversal?
Yes, you can opt for low GI or diabetes-friendly fruits like apple, guava, pear, orange, sweet lime, kiwi, pineapple, strawberry, etc. One can safely consume one serving of these fruits.
Avoid taking it with major meals or in bedtime if your fasting sugars are high. The best time to take it is in the mid meals as a snack combined with a protein or healthy fat source like nuts, seeds, or roasted chana.
8. How much weight do I need to lose so as to achieve remission?
When it comes to remission it is suggested to lose at least 10% of current body weight if your BMI falls under the category of overweight or obese. The focus should be on fat loss and not just the overall weight. Inch loss has been proven to be more effective when it comes to remission.
9. How frequently do I need to monitor my sugars during remission?
It is good to monitor your sugars as frequently as possible with a glucometer. You can check HbA1c every 3 months.
10. Are there any side effects of remission?
There are no side effects of achieving remission of diabetes. However, prior to the remission journey, it is important to do an assessment of diabetes complications.
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Post Remission
Now, once you have successfully achieved diabetes remission. What’s next?
Let’s explore the post-remission phase and the necessary strategies to maintain a diabetes-free healthy life.
1. Can I now eat what I want?
No, once you achieve remission you still need to follow diet advice given to you.
2. Can I take sugar and sweets now?
No Even after achieving remission in diabetes it is important to adhere to your diet as your sugars will start rising otherwise.
3. What if I regain my lost weight?
If you do not continue to follow LSM, you can regain the weight that you have lost and sugars will start rising again.
4. What if I stop exercising?
If you stop exercising after remission, you can regain the weight you lost and sugars will start to rise again.
5. How long will my remission last?
It depends upon your lifestyle. If you continue to follow LSM and maintain weight you can remain free of diabetes for a longer time.
6. Is remission permanent?
No, once you achieve remission in diabetes it’s not permanent it can come back if you stop following LSM.
7. Should I stop monitoring my sugars?
You should continue to monitor your blood sugars at regular intervals even after remission in Diabetes.
8. Should I stop seeing my Dr/Diabetologist now?
You should continue to meet your Dr at regular intervals along with blood test reports even after remission.
9. Shall I continue to monitor my Hba1c/blood sugars?
You need to continue to monitor your blood sugars at regular intervals along with Hba1c in order to understand the status of your blood sugars.
FitterTake
In your journey through managing diabetes, we have something really amazing for you i.e., the way to reverse your diabetes, and a way to live a healthier lifestyle.
Next, we got to know some cool strategies and lifestyle changes that can help you get better from diabetes. These changes include eating good food, staying active with exercises, and keeping an eye on your sugar levels.
This journey is not just about reaching a goal; it’s about how you live your life. You need to eat well, stay active, and keep an eye on your health. In India, where many people have diabetes, this journey is really important.
At Fitterfly our Diabetes Care Program is highly personalized based on validated and scientific data points and detailed assessment of nutrition, physical, and mental health.
Not only that you are also provided with an expert three-coach team i.e., dietician, physiotherapist, and psychologist to help guide you throughout the journey, track your progress, improvise based on your progress, and provide a support system. Our programs are clinically validated and outcome-oriented.
To learn more about Fitterfly’s Diabetes Care Program and how it can help you intelligently take control of your diabetes, speak to one of our counselors by just giving us a missed call at 08069450746, and we will definitely get back to you.
You can also try our free diabetes reversal calculator to find your chances of reducing or stopping diabetes medicines.
Wish to know more? Sign up for our program.
Sometimes, it might seem tough, but remember, you’re not alone. Doctors and healthcare experts are here to guide you. Together, we can make this journey towards beating diabetes a bit easier.
**Diabetes Remission is the clinical term for Diabetes Reversal.
This blog provides general information for educational and informational purposes only and shouldn't be seen as professional advice.
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