What does it mean to ‘reverse’ Diabetes?
A Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis is based on elevated blood sugar. So, if your blood sugar remains
normal without the use of diabetes-specific medication and you no longer meet the diagnostic
criteria, then you have successfully reversed your Type 2 Diabetes.
In this situation, the term “reversed” is not the same as being cured. You can reverse your Type 2
Diabetes but, if you do not follow long term lifestyle changes, it will come back.
Type 2 Diabetes treatment options.
There are 3 main types of treatments for Type 2 Diabetes that have been demonstrated to reverse
the disease. Those treatments are:
1. Bariatric Surgery: Also known simply as ‘weight loss
surgery’. This form of treatment has been known to reverse Type 2 Diabetes. But, the surgery is
expensive, can have some major side effect, and it often loses its effectiveness after a few
years.
2. Very Low Calorie Diet: Also known as ‘semi-starvation
diets’, this can lead to rapid weight loss and diabetes reversal. However, this type of diet can
only be followed for a few months.
3. Ketogenic Diet: A well formulated and nutritionally
complete keto diet is the 3rd treatment option. Following this diet will set up a state of
nutritional ketosis, causing the body to use fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates.
What is nutritional ketosis?
Nutritional ketosis is a natural metabolic state in which your body adapts to burning fat rather
than carbohydrates as its primary fuel.
At the heart of nutritional ketosis are ‘ketones’, small molecules that are made from fat in the
liver, and provide energy to fuel important organs like the brain, heart, and muscles. Ketones
also play a newly discovered role to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are
key underlying causes of type 2 diabetes.
Reversing Type 2 Diabetes with nutritional ketosis.
Nutritional ketosis can reverse Type 2 Diabetes by reducing blood sugar, improving insulin
sensitivity, and reducing inflammation. Being able to safely and consistently maintain nutritional
ketosis will increase the chances of Type 2 Diabetes reversal.
It is important to discuss any diet changes with a medical professional, especially if you are
taking medication for blood sugar or blood pressure control. Nutritional ketosis can lead to a
rapid decrease in weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar, so it is important that this is being
monitored by a medical professional and medications are being safely decreased if needed.