Can we reverse Type 2 diabetes?

This topic is of great concern as Type 2 diabetes walks hand in hand with heart disease, vascular disease, high blood pressure, dementia and obesity to name few.

Each of these diseases is worrisome individually and together can create a health disaster. So, let’s go back and look at what Type 2 diabetes really is.

It is a disease of our lifestyle. Many will say, “But my dad has it,” “My mom is a diabetic,” so it must be genetic or runs in the family. Well, yes that could be true, but let’s take a closer look.

There are two body types, apple-shaped (weight around the belly) and pear-shaped (slim upper torso and weight gain on the lower torso).

Scientific data suggests the larger the waist circumference, the greater the risk for Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. To really understand Type 2 diabetes, you have to understand weight gain.

The question is what comes first, weight gain or diabetes? Well, that is easy, weight gain. More importantly, what causes weight gain? High insulin levels, and to have high insulin levels you are consuming too much sugar.

Since 75 per cent of the population is apple-shaped, most have the genetic predisposition for diabetes. That said, you can completely prevent Type 2 diabetes and reverse it (if your pancreas is still working), and at minimum, control it with minimal medications if you make a choice to change your lifestyle.

It is important to understand you don’t have to express the genetic tendency and if you already have diabetes, lifestyle changes improve it and, for many, can reverse it.

So, let’s go back to high insulin. Insulin is released in response to sugar in the blood stream.

There are two ways for this sugar to present: from food (carbohydrates) or from stress (stress hormone cortisol). We can lessen sugar by changing our diet, decreasing stress and increasing exercise.

With determination, you can prevent and even reverse diabetes.

Even if you don’t eat junk food, but have a waist circumference higher than 35 or 40 inches, you eat too many carbohydrates and your diet needs tweaking.

If you are not exercising, then you have to find something to do — walk, swim, free weights, biking, zumba or dancing.

I have mentioned in past articles my father had heart disease and Type 2 diabetes by the age of 40.

I was well on my way to Type 2 diabetes early on in my teens and early 20s. I am still apple-shaped, but I choose to make and keep lifestyle changes to keep my waist below 35 inches. I have many patients that are now completely controlled with diet and no longer require medications.

That happens when there is a commitment to personal change. If you do not change, then medications will be your only option.

We are all busy and life can be tough, but we are ultimately responsible for our health and well being — and it starts with choosing what we put in our mouthes.

Karen Hourtovenko, RN(EC), is a Sudbury-based health and wellness consultant.