Management of type 2 diabetes

The belief that type 2 diabetes is reversible is gaining widespread acceptance. In general, the lifestyle factors required to reverse the condition are the opposite of those that led to diabetes.

There is a very high correlation between being overweight or obese and having type 2 diabetes. The factors that will contribute to the onset of the condition are the same as those that will cause someone to become overweight or obese:

• a hypercaloric diet, one where more calories are consumed than are expended
• a sedentary lifestyle.

The factors that will help you lose weight are the same as those that will help you reverse type 2 diabetes, namely

• A hypocaloric diet, one where fewer calories are consumed than are expended
• an active lifestyle, particularly one that involves some exercise

If you Google it, you’ll find there are plenty of papers regarding the reversal of type 2 diabetes. One I like, which gives a nice round up of the issues and evidence, is this paper ‘Type 2 diabetes etiology and reversibility’.  It gives a run through of the evidence and implications and presents a summary of a useful twin-cycle model of  type 2 diabetes. The paper states quite confidently that the condition is reversible with a hypocaloric diet and exercise.

At one point the paper also suggests that a reduction in the ability to oxidise fatty acids is a contributing factor. It’s well established that fasted cardio is a good way to improve ones ability to oxidise fat. This is one of the reasons why we are advocates of steady cardio at a moderate intensity. I’m a firm believer that this practice is a major factor in our programmes’ proven ability to improve health markers and blood sugar levels and facilitate weight loss. In the testimonials section, you will find the case study on Lee as an example of our successes in this area.

I do not profess to be an expert on this topic but I do believe that our programmes will have a very positive effect for most of our clients with type 2 diabetes. I was recently invited to speak on the topic for World Diabetes Day on BBC Radio Northampton. You can listen to my four and a half minute contribution to this topic by listening to the audio track on this video.

I find that a lot of my clients with poor blood sugar control get dizzy and nauseous very easily when they first start exercising again. Sometimes it takes them a few sessions to get control again and stop feeling dizzy. If you get dizzy or nauseous upon exertion, or you are overweight or obese, then there’s a good chance you have, or are on the way to, type 2 diabetes. Give us a call if you’d like to discuss how we can help you.