how to manage diabetes for better health through diet, exercise, and more.

1. Is Type 2 Diabetes Reversible?
Medically reviewed by Marina Basina, M.D. — Written by Mary Ellen Ellis —
Updated on July 13, 2021
Type 2 diabetes is a serious, long-term medical condition. It develops
mostly in adults but is becoming more common in children as the rate at
which people are developing obesity rises across all age groups.
Several factors contribute to type 2 diabetes. Being overweight or having
obesity are the biggest risk factors.
Type 2 diabetes can be life-threatening. But if treated carefully, it can be
managed or even reversed.
Healthline has partnered with Profile by Sanford to bring you more
information about how to manage diabetes for better health through diet,
exercise, and more.
Treatment for type 2 diabetes includes:
monitoring your blood sugar levels
Is it reversible? What is it? Exercise Diet Type 1 vs. type 2
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Can you reverse type 2 diabetes?
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2. using medications or insulin when needed
Doctors also recommend losing weight through diet and exercise. Some
diabetes medications have weight loss as a side effect, which can also
help to treat or manage diabetes.
To help manage your diabetes try:
eating a healthy, well-balanced diet
exercising
losing excess weight
Weight loss is the primary factor in those who have experienced a
reversal of type 2 diabetes, as excess fat in the body affects the
production of insulin and how it’s used.
In a small 2011 study, 11 people with type 2 diabetes drastically reduced
their caloric intake for 8 weeks, reversing the course of their condition.
Researchers noted that this is a small sample, and the participants had
lived with the condition for only a few years.
Other research has shown that bariatric surgery can reverse type 2
diabetes. It’s one of the few ways to reverse diabetes for an extended
period of time.
However, there are less drastic ways that you can
lose weight and reduce your symptoms. Exercise
and dietary changes may be all you need.
Profile by Sanford offers one-on-one nutrition
coaching with a dietician and custom weight-loss
plans for those who have chronic medical
conditions, including diabetes.
Your pancreas makes a hormone called insulin.
When your blood sugar — glucose — levels rise, the pancreas releases
insulin. This causes sugar to move from your blood to your cells, where it
What is type 2 diabetes?

3. can be used as an energy source. As glucose levels in your blood go
back down, your pancreas stops releasing insulin.
Type 2 diabetes affects how you metabolize sugar. Your pancreas
doesn’t produce enough insulin, or your body has become resistant to its
action. This causes glucose to build up in the blood. This is called
hyperglycemia.
There are several symptoms of untreated type 2 diabetes, including:
excessive thirst and urination
fatigue
increased hunger
weight loss, in spite of eating more
infections that heal slowly
blurry vision
dark discoloration on the skin in some areas of the body
Starting an exercise routine is important for your overall health, but it’ll
also help you lose weight and start to reverse your symptoms. Talk to
your doctor before making a plan and keep the following in mind:
Start slowly. If you aren’t used to exercising, start small with a short
walk. Gradually increase the duration and intensity.
Walk quickly. Fast walking is a great way to get exercise. A brisk
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Get physical

4. walk is easy to do and requires no equipment.
Check your blood sugar before, during, and after your workout.
Keep a snack on hand in case your blood sugar drops while you’re
exercising.
Eating nutrient-dense diet is another important way to help you:
lose weight
manage your symptoms
reverse the course of your diabetes
Your doctor can help you plan a healthful and balanced diet, or they can
refer you to a dietitian.
A diet that helps you manage or reverse your condition should include:
reduced calories, especially those from carbohydrates
healthful fats
a variety of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables
whole grains
lean proteins, such as poultry, fish, low-fat dairy, soy, and beans
limited alcohol
limited sweets
The American Diabetes Association recommends a low-carbohydrate
eating pattern but doesn’t recommend a standard for grams at this time.
However, a low-carbohydrate diet would suggest that you eat the same
amount of carbohydrates at each meal — around 45–60 grams — for a
total of about 200 grams per day. Aim to eat fewer, which is better.
Some doctors and scientists support a ketogenic diet as a way to lose
weight and stabilize blood sugar levels. This diet markedly restricts
carbohydrates, usually to less than 50 grams per day.
Without carbohydrates, the body is forced to break down fat for fuel. This
Change your diet

5. results in rapid weight loss and positive benefits on both triglycerides and
blood glucose control.
However, there are some negative effects of this diet including:
muscle cramps
bad breath
changes in bowel habits
a loss of energy
rise in cholesterol level
In addition, recent studies suggest that ketogenic diets increase hepatic
insulin resistance and may cause a deficiency in some needed
micronutrients. More research is needed on the safety and effectiveness
of long-term use of this diet.
Reversing type 2 diabetes is possible, but it requires meal planning,
healthy eating, and regular exercise. If you can do these things and lose
weight, you may be able to free yourself from diabetes and its
complications.
Type 1 diabetes is similar to type 2 diabetes, but it usually develops
during childhood and is largely unrelated to weight or diet. The exact
causes of type 1 diabetes are unknown. The most important risk factors
are genetics and family history.
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How is type 2 different from type 1 diabetes?

6. If you have type 1 diabetes, your pancreas makes little to no insulin. You
need to inject insulin regularly to metabolize glucose.
For Type 1 diabetes, there’s no cure, and it can’t be reversed. But it can
be managed. The symptoms are the same as those of type 2 diabetes.
Both conditions can cause serious complications if not managed or
treated, including:
heart disease
nerve damage
atherosclerosis
vision problems and blindness
kidney damage
skin and mouth infections
foot infections, which can lead to amputations
osteoporosis
hearing problems
Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, always talk to your doctor
before starting any new treatment and management options. Your doctor
can help you develop the best plan to address your healthcare needs.
Last medically reviewed on August 23, 2019
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7. how to reverse diabetes type 2
watch the video below to knew more