The Benefits of Diabetes Reversal: Why It’s Worth the Effort
Reversing your diabetes occurs when one’s blood glucose levels are maintained without the use of insulin or any other diabetic therapy and you have a good a1c. When a person with diabetes achieves and maintains normal blood sugar levels for an extended period of time without the need of medication or other treatments, they are said to be in “remission”. Changing one’s way of life, improving diet, fixing the root causes with supplements and a healthy lifestyle are all viable options for doing this. Although achieving remission from diabetes is not a guarantee, it is a worthwhile goal to shoot for because of the many positive effects it has on one’s physical and emotional well-being.
The Prevalence and Consequences of Diabetes
According to the WHO, global diabetes rates for 18-year-olds rose from 4.7% in 1980 to 9.3% in 2019. Complications from diabetes include cardiovascular disease, stroke, renal disease, nerve damage, blindness, and foot difficulties. It is also a major killer across the globe. The effects of diabetes on a person’s everyday life, mental health, and relationships may be just as devastating as its physical repercussions.
The worldwide healthcare expenses associated with diabetes are projected to reach $760 billion in 2019. The expenses associated with illness and injury are both immediate and long-term, including not just medical treatment but also disability, early mortality, and time missed from work. This highlights the need for better diabetes management strategies that lessen the impact of the condition on both people and communities.
What is diabetes reversal?
Reversing diabetes occurs when a person’s blood sugar levels return to normal without the use of insulin or other diabetic medications. Weight reduction, dietary adjustments, addressing the root cause with a customized care plan and increased physical activity have all been linked to reversing diabetes successfully. Keep in mind that being in remission does not equate to being cured of diabetes because if you do all the unhealthy things that got you there you could likely become sick again. Instead, it indicates that their diabetes is under control and they may be able to stop taking any medications based on your doctor’s recommendation.
Benefits of diabetes remission
1. Improved overall health
Reversing diabetes may have profound effects on one’s health. Long-term exposure to elevated blood sugar levels is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, renal disease, and neuropathy. People with diabetes may improve their health and lower their risk of complications by gaining better control of their blood sugar levels. Achieving diabetic remission may enhance overall health and wellbeing, not only the risk of complications.Â
An increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke is associated with hyperglycemia. Reversing diabetes and hence lowering blood pressure may help prevent these problems. High cholesterol levels, which are more common in people with diabetes, are a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Reversing diabetes has been shown to lower cholesterol and protect against heart disease.
Elevated blood sugar levels have been linked to increased nervousness, sadness, and anger. Getting your diabetes under control may do wonders for your mental health and your outlook on life. Low energy and weariness are symptoms of high blood sugar. Achieving remission from diabetes may boost vitality and well-being.
Due to impaired immune function, people with diabetes are at increased risk of contracting infections. Reversing diabetes may boost immunity and lessen the likelihood of infection as many studies show.
2. Reduced medication use
When diabetes is in “remission”, patients typically need less medication to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Maintaining normal blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes sometimes necessitates the use of medicine, such as insulin or oral drugs. However, medication dosages may need modification or reduction when blood sugar levels are maintained within a normal range based on your doctor’s recommendations.
When diabetes is in remission, it may be possible to stop taking medication altogether. Those who have struggled with medication-related difficulties or unwanted side effects may benefit greatly from this.
Medication modifications, however, should only ever be performed in consultation with a medical professional. Stopping or lowering the dosage of a medicine suddenly, especially without medical supervision, might have catastrophic consequences. Patient’s in my office work hand and hand with their doctor to due it safely while I help them fix the root issues causing their increased sugar numbers.
Remission from diabetes does not constitute a cure, so keep that in mind. Even when blood sugar levels are normal, diabetes still has to be managed and monitored regularly since it is a chronic illness. Even when diabetes goes into remission, patients and doctors should stay in regular contact to ensure the best possible long-term health outcomes.
3. Weight loss
Particularly for those with type 2 diabetes, weight reduction is a crucial component in establishing diabetic reversal. Even though the increased weight is only a symptom of a bad metabolism it could help take stress off of joints and help mobility. Losing weight may increase insulin sensitivity and help manage blood sugar levels, which is important since being overweight or obese is a significant risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.
A person’s body becomes more efficient at utilizing insulin to manage blood sugar as they lose weight. They could need less insulin or other medications as a consequence.
There are several health advantages associated with weight reduction beyond just better glucose management. Weight loss, for instance, may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke associated with being overweight or obese.
High cholesterol levels, which are more common in people with diabetes, are a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular complications may be decreased by losing weight. Sleep apnea, a disease characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing while sleeping, is associated with being overweight. Sleep apnea may be treated and the quality of sleep improved by losing weight and is common with patients in my office.Â
Joint discomfort and inflammation are common symptoms of being overweight. Joint health may be improved by losing weight, which takes pressure off of the body’s joints. Depression and other mental health issues may be mitigated by losing weight as studies show.
4. Increased energy levels
People with diabetes might suffer low energy and exhaustion if their blood sugar levels are not properly managed. High blood sugar, dehydration, HPA axis issues, adrenal fatigue and electrolyte abnormalities are all potential causes.
Better blood sugar management, which may result from diabetes remission, may boost energy levels. The body’s ability to utilize glucose for energy is maximized when blood sugar levels are maintained within a healthy range.
Managing blood sugar is only one element that might help individuals with diabetes feel more energized.Â
Blood sugar levels and energy levels may both benefit from consistent physical exercise. The positive effects of exercise on mood and stress levels may also have a multiplicative effect on energy levels. Getting adequate shut-eye is beneficial to your health and may help you feel more energized during the day. If you have diabetes and are having trouble sleeping, speak to your doctor about ways to improve the quality of your sleep.Â
Eating a well-balanced diet will give you more energy and help your body maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Individualized meal planning is an important part of managing diabetes and should be done in consultation with a qualified dietitian. Dehydration, which may be avoided by maintaining an adequate water intake, is a potential contributor to feelings of exhaustion and a lack of energy.
5. Reduced healthcare costs
Both the financial and time investments required for diabetes management may be substantial. Reversing diabetes may save money on medical care for a number of reasons. Case in point:
People with diabetes may need less medicine or insulin if their blood sugar levels are effectively managed. Because of this, you may need to make fewer visits to the pharmacy and spend less money overall. Those who are able to put their diabetes into remission may need less frequent medical attention and diagnostic testing. The time and money spent on healthcare may go down as a result of this. Less gas, less medications and potentially less risk of worse complications but let’s not forget the most important cost: quality of life!Â
Diabetics are more likely to have health issues including cardiovascular disease, renal failure, and nerve damage. Reversing diabetes and so reducing the likelihood of these problems may have a beneficial effect on healthcare spending by fixing the root cause of high sugar levels.
If you have diabetes and are experiencing tiredness or any of the other symptoms associated with the disease, you may find it difficult to maintain employment or participate in extracurricular activities. Successfully reversing diabetes has been linked to increased energy levels and better health, both of which have positive effects on productivity and the expenses associated with lost time at work. See these testimonials.
Reversing diabetes may reduce healthcare expenses in ways other than those directly related to the condition. By way of illustration, patients with diabetes who are able to achieve remission may have reduced healthcare expenses over the course of their lives.
Conclusion
It’s worthwhile to try to put your reverse your diabetes. Health, wellness, medication intake, weight, vitality, and healthcare expenses may all improve as a result. Someone with diabetes may reverse their disease and lead happier, more productive lives with the help of lifestyle adjustments, fixing the root cause and having a customized plan to get themselves functioning to their best. If you live in Florida, see if you qualify for a Free Consultation Here.Â