I thought I would make a health post as opposed to a fitness post, about diabetes.
TLDR version
Fat? Cut.
My diabetes is in remission.
Longer version
I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes 3 months ago. I had been overweight for a long time, but I've never been obese.
Diabetes is high blood sugar levels caused either by insufficient insulin (Type I) or insulin resistance (Type II). Mine was Type II.
Glucose levels are volatile. Hence a good measurement is Hb1AC. This is what percentage of hemoglobin cells have been used in transport of glucose. It gives a weighted 3 month average view of glucose level. A value of 48 mmol/mol or higher indicates diabetes, and 42 mmol/mol or higher indicates pre-diabetes.
My understanding of the typical mechanism for Type II is that visceral fat covers the liver and pancreas. When this happens, insulin resistance starts. Initially, beta cells in the pancreas increase insulin and so blood sugar stays in the normal range. However, the process eventually damages the beta cells; then blood sugar levels start to rise with no process for stopping it.
Received medical wisdom is that insulin resistance cannot be reversed; however diet and exercise can help prevent further decay. So diabetes is a lifelong condition.
The initial symptoms of diabetes sound fairly minor - needing to pee frequently, such as during the night; and waking up feeling thirsty. However, later symptoms can become a lot more severe and there are chances of major vascular complications.
Shortly after diagnosis, I read a New Scientist article which contained a synopsis of this article:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/l...102-1/fulltext
In the trial described, 46% patients who had major weight loss had remission of their diabetes. I decided to implement this plan myself.
The mooted mechanism is that the lower weight reduces insulin resistance, and lowers the strain on beta cells and allows them a chance to recover.
I have kept to my calorie target every day for the last 4 months. I have lost 35 pounds (16 kgs). This has sent my diabetes into remission.
My 1AC was 50 mmol/mol at time of diagnosis. It is now 38 mmol/mol, and so below the threshold for pre-diabetes.
I will clearly need to keep an eye on things to make sure they don't regress. I also need to make sure that I keep up with the habits of eating well, not exceeding target calories, and moving around a lot.
Last edited by river_tilt; 07-05-2019 at 09:11 AM.