Is Diabetes Reversal Possible With Weight Loss?

Diabetes, till now was regarded as an incurable chronic disease, but the latest findings suggest that losing weight could prevent or even reverse diabetes.

Here are some mind-blowing facts that establish a clear linkage between weight loss and diabetes reversal:

1. The latest study has proved, by shedding just 10 per cent or more of body weight within the first five years of diabetes diagnosis, the chances of diabetes reversal are very high.
2. The diabetes remission rate is almost twice if you lose weight compared to those who maintain the same weight.
3. But, the chances of reversing diabetes by losing weight are less likely if you have been living with diabetes for long because of the permanent damage caused by raised blood sugar levels.
   • A study showed that people who couldn’t reverse their diabetes had it for an average of 3.8 years.
   • On the other hand, the ones who managed to reverse their diabetes had been living with it for 2.7 years.

So, an early intervention, along with weight loss therapy is the key for diabetes remission. All of this can be achieved with the help of an expert Coach who helps you lose weight healthily and guide you in every step to reverse diabetes.

Let us understand a little more about how weight loss exactly helps in diabetes reversal. What changes take place inside the body when a person with diabetes loses weight?

How weight loss aids in diabetes remission?

In people with type 2 diabetes, there is fat-induced damage to internal organs, namely— liver and pancreas. Too much fat deposited on these organs interferes with their functioning. The beta cells of the pancreas, which are responsible for producing, storing and releasing insulin ‘turn back on’ when a person with diabetes loses a substantial amount of weight.

These cells which were otherwise dormant get a ‘kick start’ or ‘reprogrammed’ to work well again under guided weight loss therapy. And just a 10-15% of weight loss is sufficient to reactivate these otherwise hibernating insulin-producing cells. The improved insulin production from the pancreas helps in normalizing the blood sugar levels and keeps it within the targeted range.

Striking a balance | Reverse diabetes & lose weight – Know-how:

As we move forward, next what comes in your mind is how to lose weight if you have diabetes? To achieve the results, it will require proper meal planning, healthy eating and regular physical workout. A nutrient-dense diet with limited calorie intake can help in diabetes remission, managing the symptoms and weight loss.

ADA (American Diabetes Association) encourages people with diabetes to do at least 2.5 hours per week of moderate aerobic exercise. To lose weight, you must include strength training or weight lifting at least twice a week.

But, for a person with diabetes, sugar levels dropping too low or jumping too high can do more harm than good as it involves changing the eating habits to lose weight. Striking the right balance while cutting down the calorie intake is very critical here. A health Coach empowered with a technology solution who can clearly explain which food exactly causes blood sugar fluctuations—can do the trick!

It is recommended, if you have diabetes, you should cut 500 calories a day. Calories can be easily tracked on Fitterfly App which has the largest Indian food database.

For adults, calories should come from:

1. 45% to 55% of carbs
2. 25% to 35% of fat
3. 10% to 35% of protein

Here are a few dietary tips to shed a few extra kilos and reverse diabetes:

1. Limit carb intake
2. Opt for healthy fats
3. Include a variety of fruits and vegetables
4. Go for whole grains like lapsi, ragi, jowar, barley, bajra etc.
5. Must include lean proteins, such as poultry, fish, low-fat dairy, soy, daal, peas, beans etc.
6. Limit alcohol intake. Click here to read how much alcohol you should drink if you have diabetes
7. Avoid sugars in the form of sweets and drinks.

Losing weight and reversing diabetes is not impossible. But a one-size-fits-all approach is not the right way to do it! For sustainable lifelong results, get the personalised expert care to suit your needs.

Hit two targets with one arrow. Shed some kilos and reverse diabetes with Diabefly Pro now.

Click here to know more or call us at +91 22 4897 1077.