What is diabetes remission and what does it mean for Type 2 Diabetes?
Remission generally means having your blood sugar levels within an optimal range without diabetes medication. Usually, this translates to an HbA1C of less than 5.7%. This state can reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications and improve your overall quality of life.
In the past, health professionals thought remission was impossible and believed Type 2 Diabetes was a progressive disease. But now, we know that with the right lifestyle improvements, particularly with food choices, many people can achieve remission.
However please remember, not everyone will be able to achieve remission due to various factors, some of these factors can simply be beyond your control. But every step towards remission significantly reduces the risk of complications and enhances your long term quality of life.
So where did the idea of diabetes remission start? Well in 2017, the DIRECT study from the UK linked weight loss to remission. The idea is that losing weight targets fat in the liver and pancreas— two critical organs in diabetes management.
By removing this fat, these organs work better, producing higher quality insulin and managing blood sugar more effectively.
So this is where a bit of a problem has appeared, this research suggests that any weight loss strategy could, in theory, lead to remission in type 2 diabetes.
As such a number of various methods and diets which promote weight loss, have now started to proclaim achieving Type 2 diabetes Remission.
Intermittent fasting, extreme calorie restriction, gastric banding, a whole host of diets and medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro have had the words remission mentioned, although they wouldn’t really mean remission as they are medications.
We at nourish know one size and one diet does not fit all. We specialise in tailoring an eating plan to meet your needs and allowing you to make small improvements in your current eating pattern, for long term sustainable goals.
If you would like to discuss a tailored plan for Type 2 Diabetes, please feel free to book a consultation with myself. Together, we can make small changes for long-term benefits.
