Recently one of the readers of my website commented on on my post “Is There a Nature Cure for Diabetes”. He brought up a good point about genetics and type II diabetes. He is right. There is a genetic link to type II diabetes. So if your parents had type II diabetes, you have an increased risk of getting it also. I wanted to take this chance to expand on why I often say that type II diabetes can be cured because that seems to get the most attention about that particular post.
Genetics aside, it’s also true that there is an environmental cause to type II diabetes. Those whose diabetes is linked to environmental factors are who I was primarily writing to in my post “Is there a natural cure for diabetes?
Most people get type II diabetes because they eat too many calories and don’t do enough physical activity.
I believe when it comes to type II diabetes that most people don’t know that with proper exercise and weight loss, that in most cases it can go into remission. In my book, I call that a “cure” but I am willing to concede that the diabetes will return if people go back to their old ways.
I believe that most type II diabetics I see don’t take their diabetes seriously. I’m not kidding. I’ve seen it first hand. I think this is because people keep getting answers to their diabetes problems.
This is the usual (and simplified) scenario of what happens when somebody starts to show symptoms of type II diabetes or metabolic syndrome:
1. First they are given a pill because their blood sugar is getting high. Then, when that stops working, they get another pill. Then another pill. Eventually the pills are not enough…
2. As diabetes gets worse, they are the told to take a shot of insulin. That becomes 2 shots. Then it becomes 3 shots.
3. Then, as they gain weight and it hurts to walk, there is a motorized chair to help them get around – and many people get that for free!
It’s this gradual and almost painless progression and desensitization of symptoms of the disease that dulls people into thinking that “diabetes isn’t so bad”. People keep getting solutions to their problems.
Because of insurance and medicare, diabetics can get a lot of things for free. This keeps them in the “diabetes loop”. For more about this please read how it pays to be a diabetic.
By the time diabetes really starts getting bad, it’s often too too late (in some cases). If left unchecked, type II diabetes can lead to disastrous and terrifying outcomes including but not limited to:
- Heart disease – the #1 killer of Americans
- Cancer – the # 2 killer of Americans
- Stroke – The number 3 killer of Americans
- Kidney failure (diabetes is the #1 cause of kidney disease)
- Alzheimer’s disease (some now call this “type III diabetes“)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Low testosterone levels (normal T levels range 300-1000 ng/dl)
- Reduced muscle mass
- Liver failure
- Accelerated aging
Often the outcomes of type II diabetes take decades before they manifest themselves. Also the person with type II diabetes feels no immediate changes as their disease progresses. It’s painless!
Let’s contrast this with what happens when someone is diagnosed with type I diabetes. Basically people are immediately told how serious their condition is and from almost the start, they have to inject themselves every day with insulin.
People tend to take injections much more serious than simply taking a diabetes pill. Type I diabetics also know immediately what happens if they miss an insulin injection.
I think this immediate shock to the system (and immediately seeing what happens if they dont take insulin) is the reason that type I diabetics tend to be very smart . They are often as anal retentive as a bodybuilder, knowing about exercise, carbs, calories, etc.
With most of the type II diabetics I see, nobody ever told them that their diabetes can be kept in check, slowed down – and even cured (go into remission) if they took better care of themselves.
I’ve been very critical of the Biggest Looser TV show in the past, but one thing no one can deny is that by the end of the Biggest Looser, the contestants are usually off most- if not all – of their medications – including diabetes medications.
Exercise makes the body’s insulin receptors more active – so they work better. Exercise also helps lower blood sugar because it activates other ways to reduce blood sugar that have nothing to do with insulin.
Most of us have seen TV commercials advertising diabetes medications and devices like blood sugar testers, syringes, needles and things like that. We even see ads for diabetes supplements.
Why haven’t any of us EVER seen a public service announcement on TV about how exercise and losing weight can help – and yes CURE – type II diabetes?
Where are the billboards?
Where are the radio commercials?
Where are the TV commercials?
Why doesn’t the American Diabetes Association do any of this stuff?
FACT. More people die EACH YEAR from the complications of type II diabetes than died on 9/11 and in the in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Where is the war on type II diabetes? Where is the front of that war occurring?
The closest I have ever seen on this issue was a commercial for heart disease during an episode of the TV show Monk. It only aired once.
Why doesn’t Hollywood take a stand on diabetes? Why aren’t any actors doing public service announcements about exercise and diabetes?
Thank goodness we have a First Lady who is tackling the real life issue of obesity – one of the hallmarks of type II diabetes.
I make the bold statement that type II diabetes can be CURED because I care and I desperately want people to know the facts about type II diabetes that few people appear to have ever been told. I want people to know:
1. Type II diabetes will go away -and stay away – in most people who take care of their health.
2. Most people don’t have to get type II diabetes. Most type II diabetes is environmental (eating too much and exercising too little).
3. Losing a little weight and getting some exercise every day – even 20 minutes a day – can make profound changes not only on type II diabetes, but how long that diabetic lives.
Why don’t most type II diabetics know these facts?
If you are a type II diabetic, talk to our doctor. They would love to speak to you about this. Ask your doctor if losing weight would help your diabetes and if the answer is yes, engage your doctor in a dialog to create a program that’s right for you to help you achieve a real change that goes beyond just taking a pill.
Food for thought: If you ignore your health, it will go away…
Thanks for reading my words. Your comments are always welcome.
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Great article Joe…and oh so true. People are getting lazier every day and too many kids never experience the thrill of having a fine tuned body that can do amazing things. Nothing like a runner’s high and I don’t mean run a marathon.
Thank you! I have been posting on the ADA boards today and have been incredibly distraught with what I have been receiving in response. It seems as if people really don’t want to believe that changing their lifestyle can ‘cure’ type 2 diabetes. I am going to change this, if it costs me my last dime and my life I am going to get people to stop thinking that pills can save them where a proper lifestyle can’t.
Joe, thanks for your words. It appears to me also that people with type II diabetes seem to be lulled into taking a pill. Pills for diabetes can definitely help but I feel that the medical community – and that includes ADA – do not do enough to educate people about how type II diabetes can be cures. If there was a TV campaign called “You can cure Type II diabetes” I think people might finally start to get the message. I really do hope I see that day.
Keep me posted on your progress to help people see the truth!
Dear Joe.,
The book called ” The Diabetes Solution” by Doctor Richard K. Bernstein has been a huge help in understanding the disease and the changes that I needed to make to get better.
Mr. Bernstein has Type 1, and it’s because of his efforts that we have meters in our homes today so that we can measure the levels right at home.
I made changes in the foods that I ate and increased by exercise program from 25 minutes per day to 1 hour. I was already involved in exercise (five years – Karate – now Black Belt) but it was not enough time. Since I didn’t know much about food, I
took a free course offered by a nutritionist at our local grocery store, which gave me the tools for what to eat, how much and when.
The combination of the book, exercise, and the food information is what I’ve used so far (without supplements or additional products (so far).
On Sept. 15th, I weighed 233 lbs. I now weigh 195 lbs.
I also believe that it’s possible to reverse type 2 as well.
My goal is to get to 167 lbs or 170 lbs.
I saw the commercial about the supplement, and was more curious than anything.
I’ll keep posting the results and findings.
Shawn M. (Canada)
A great question, “Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Cured?” and I HOPE that I can answer that soon, since I’ve been a type 2 diabetic for 12 years. My mantra has been “I’ve become an extremist about moderation” and many people would call my moderation a form of extremism. During these years I’ve run intervals up and down hills, lifted weights, played racquetball, worked out daily on a total gym, have a stationary bike to boot, and increasingly become less and less moderate and more extreme on my food plan, yet I cannot overcome this disease. It gets worse and even with medication I cannot live reasonably (but, some tell me I do better than most diabetics). I’ve lost some weight, probably 20-30 lbss. through this “extreme moderation” and am considered fit by many. But it hasn’t cure me. I need to lose 20 more.
Feb 2011, I ditched the “extreme moderation” for extremism. It will be my last stand against this disease. No diets, just extremely healthy eating, no cheating, and exercising like hell! I’m talking getting into the weights 3 times per week heavy, hitting the stationary bike with intervals 2 times per week, and 10- 12 miles of cardio on bike, with no longer a moderate food plan but an extreme food plan. I don’t think most most people can do this, but for me I’ve lost my job, I have the time, so now I have this as a main project, curing diabetes. Will it work? I am an experiment of one, I’ve become an extremist.
I just found your site looking for some blog info. I don’t have a clue who you are, but you are asking the same question I am, and I for one intend to find the answer, not for you or anybody else, but rather for me. Wish me luck!
Darrell, It sounds like you have been doing everything that you should be doing. I do hope that your change in exercise routine helps you. I have met a few people over the years who were had type II diabetes in spite of exercising and keeping their weight under control.
I dont know if you are one of those people since you said you could still lose 20 more lbs. that said you have made tremendous progress and you should feel very proud of what you have accomplished. no matter what happens with your diabetes you are healthier over all.
I am a personal trainer/exercise physiologist, writer and lecturer. I’ve worked with several diabetics over the years,. It’s because of them that I wrote this post. I wanted to give people with type II diabetes something to think about.
You can read my full bio on my main website joe-cannon.com I also write extensively about dietary supplements on my site supplement-geek.com
keep me posted on your progress!
I cannot agree more, Joe. But it is sad that so many diabetics rely on doctors for help. Have you seen our medical professionals lately? They are obese themselves! And they order out for lunch every day! What can they tell someone who has a disease beacause he is doing the same things they are!
Joe,
You are so right! It would be great if we could all be in control and also be supported and encouraged in doing that. So what’s in our way besides lack of self-discipline? Well, here’s one minor personal example–you might call it a rant
:
My doctor denied my request for a prescription for enough test strips to allow me to test up to six times a day–it helps me monitor spikes and the effects of certain foods, stress, exercise etc. He said testing two times a day or less is more than adequate for me and that instead, I should have my A1C checked and come in for an office visit quarterly to manage my diabetes.
What management? What about the spikes??? I don’t always “feel” them. How will I know when I need to get up from my desk and run in place if I can’t test? My doctor seemed really annoyed that I want try to take control myself. By the way, he’s never mentioned healthy lifestyle.
It’s been “take these drugs, do these labs, and visit my office to hear “nothing has changed.” I think I should be allowed to test my blood sugar often by Rx to help cover the cost, do my own A1C tests and (horrors) read the results, and avoid unnecessary visits to the doctor’s office–at a savings to me, and the insurance company.
Managing this disease is difficult enough without having to fight with doctors or insurance companies to get what you need. The insurance, pharmaceutical, laboratory, supply and medical communities are well aware that too many diabetics will slide into that”easy” progressive path of drugs to wheel chairs that you describe.
I think those industries have a keen interest in keeping Type II’s dependent on them–it’s big business and stock market driven. Promote healthy lifestyle? Where’s the money in that? We seem to always hear about the high costs to the insurance companies associated with complications of diabetes but I wonder if anyone truly knows how many $$$bizillions in profit are made on drugs, lab work, dialysis clinics, medical supplies, doctor and hospital bills and, of course, increased insurance premiums.
Kat thanks for taking the time to write. I agree the money is not in the cure, its in the medicine (I’m quoting comedian Chris Rock but its so true). I heard a pod cast once where a scientist needed funding to test a drug that would regrow beta cells to help type I diabetes. Beta cells do grow back once the immune system has been subdued. I distinctly remember her saying that no pharmaceutical company wanted to fund her research.
Joe -
Your article brings up some important points about diabetes control – an expression I grew up with, as a type I diabetic. Control was the watchword for doctors back then; it seems to have slipped some, at least in the level of stress and repetition by doctors.
BUT… your article leaves out a couple of points that are important for every diabetic to understand. Type I’s suffer from an immune system failure, wherein their own immune system destroys the islets of Langerhans (the beta cells you refer to) in the pancreas, which produce insulin. Both types I and II suffer from inefficient use of insulin (you refer to receptiveness). Type I’s take shots of insulin because they can’t produce it at all; over time, the dosage is increased to make up for increasing desensitization.
Type II’s take pills, as you said; but I think it’s important for those individuals to know what those pills do. They both increase the body’s production of insulin (remember, type II’s still produce their own) and improve the reception of the insulin, so less is needed. While proper diet and exercise (“control”) can relieve the symptoms of the disease, those with type II must be ever vigilant of the symptoms; in time, medications will probably become necessary. But perhaps not as soon, and not as much, with proper control.
Not trying to be contrary, but I think it’s important to be aware that type II is a sort of spectrum disorder; it won’t go away, but it can be put into remission, as you say.
Good luck all..
w.
Wayne, I appreciate you taking the time to comment. You are right in what you say. I wrote my words because I feel most type II diabetics suffer from a “learned helplessness” – that there is nothing that they can do about their diabetes, except to take a drug.
Watching TV, it seems that there are so many “forces” that want to give people electronic chairs, needles etc to facilitate the condition. While needed by some, this amounts to plugging up a hole in the wall to stop a leak. Eventually another leak will spring.
I wanted to arm people with the knowledge to make a real and lasting change. I know you know all of what I’m saying. I wish more people were like you.
Great article
my wife is diabetic and right now she is pregnant. just wanted to know how she has to control her diabetes right now?
sorry about my English
Thank you Jamie. Have you and your wife talked to your doctor about your wife’s gestational diabetes? that is what I recommend.
Loved your article! My doctor told me I had type II diabetes. He wrote me a prescription and that was it. I know it’s my fault because of the lack of exercise and bad eating habits, but he never explained what I was to do to help myself. No diet plan or at least the foods I can eat and those I should stay away from. I have been suckered into the Glucosulin hype. I will be returning the product ASAP! I am very overweight and wanted to know if you could give me some advise on exercises or links to where I can find some.
Thank you so much for all you do to keep us informed! Bless you!
Hi Amanda,
I think some doctors feel that few people will do what they have to do when it comes to diabetes and because its serious, the faster they can start treating the condition, the better off you will be in the long run. That said, it would be nice if you were given some instructions on how to help yourself.
Let me see if I can help you by asking you a few questions. Your answers will help me help you. Be as honest as you can. Nobody knows who you are here so dont worry
how old are you?
How tall are you and what is your current weight?
Is type II diabetes the only issue you have?
Does anyone else in your family have type II diabetes?
do you know what your blood pressure is? if yes, what is it?
What is your blood sugar level?
did your doctor tell you what your “A1C” level is?
do you have any trouble walking?
Do you smoke?
do you hvae any chest pains when you rest or during exercise?
are your parents still alive? if no how old were they when they
passed and how did it happen?
Let me know these, and lets see if we can help you.
I was 320 when I found out that I was type II. I have done a lot of changes over the past 10 years and still need to do more. I have about a 100 lbs. off but it is so slow for me. I try to watch what I eat and to do it in small meals four times a day. I walk when I can but I have other health problems which I know working out will help them also. I just can’t over do. I would like to get to 150 -165 then have the extra skin taken off around my stomach and my thighs. I’m going to walk around Walmart this winter and do a mile a day (four times around is a mile.). I will keep fighting to improve myself and have more time with my family.
Linda, I am so proud of you!
From your words, it sounds to me like you have the right outlook to beat diabetes. Winning this race is a walk – not a sprint and it sounds like you are doing exactly what you need to do.
I believe in you Linda. Keep doing what you are doing and I have no doubt that you will achieve your goals. I know your family really appreciates all you are doing also
Hey Joe,
I am so thankful that there are people like you who really put the truth out there. This is where I was heading until I decided to stop the cycle. I have been diabetic free now for 2 years and just had my AC level taken 2 weeks. My doctor told me it is days like this that makes his job worth coming to. No pills, no needles.
Normally, when you have diabetes type II, you have the other diseases too (high blood pressure and cholesterol) and I did. Beat those too. So far as I am concerned, I am cured. Granted there are days that I want to go back to being overweight because it was so easy but I look at my daughter and the pictures when I was bigger and say “heck no” and keep working out and eating right. Just a piece of cake makes me feel guilty. LOL
Keep up the great works!
Thanks for sharing that Yolanda. I know your daughter is very happy you took the road less traveled
This is all very interesting Joe. On my part time job I talk to many people with Type II Diabetes. I will begin taking an informal survey of how many of them exercise regularly in addition to medication and nutritional management. Most of the ones I’ve talked to read labels like crazy but if I ask them how many grams of sugar they want to eat a day or are supposed to keep it under, they never know. I will postulate your radical idea about reducing their weight and exercising regularly, and see what the response is. Thanks for the research project.
Christallin, thanks and do let me know what you discover!
Joe,
There is a documentary out there that addresses the connection of meat-based diets and diabetes. It’s called Raw for 30 days. In the film a group of people change their diet and end up off of their meds and insulin by the end…some of them within days of starting. One man from Baltimore was on the film and he didn’t need meds or insulin by the end and then actually found out that he was misdiagnosed by his doctor and he was actually a Type I case. Even after being examined by his doctor who said his body was again producing insulin naturally, his doctor couldn’t explain how diet helped and STILL wanted him to keep taking his meds and insulin. I think part of the problem is that doctors are taught and therefore “KNOW” how to treat diabetes and think anything outside of their training is witchcraft. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Raw for 30 Days or Forks over Knives or The China Study.
Jeremey, I’m going to have to try to find that documentary. Ive never heard of it. I can understand how going on a raw diet for 30 days would help type II diabetes – because it would cause weight loss which in turn would help type II diabetes – but other than better nutrition helping type I, Im not sure whats going on. did they say the raw diet reversed or cured the type I diabetes? Is this documentary on cable or at blockbuster etc?
I am a living testimony that diabetes can be cured…i love these articles because it reminds me that I am one less of the percentage that will die from it. It is funny people find it amazing that i am no longer a diabetic and want to find the strength to do the same. I want to teach others they can beat it too but so many people are dependent on their medication and the fact many doctors will tell you there is no cure.
I love my life now…I use to weigh 250pds and now 130pds. My old doctor was no help to me and even gave me a death sentence. Needless to say, I have a new doctor who wish all his patients could be like me. I am his poster child…lol. When a person has ambition to do something so many want to believe they chose the easy way out like cosmetic surgery. Til this day, I still get people telling me that I had to have surgery done to lose so much weight..I laugh and still do. I started off on the pills and then on insulin..I was the one who said no more not my doctor.
Yolanda, wow those are powerful words. I hope everyone reads them and learns from your success over diabetes.
When I was first told that I had type2 diabetes, I didn’t know anything about the disease or how 2 beat it so I begin 2 pray 2 God n he began 2 give me insight into this disease that is killing a lot of people. I begin 2 research everything there was and is to know about it. I then made up in my mind that I would beat it and not let it beat me.
I started on an exercise program and learned how 2 eat as a diabetic, I forgot 2 mention I was 200 lbs, I cut out fried foods, no white bread, no sweets, no sodas and no salt. I went 2 whole grain, fruits and veggies, baked chicken n fish, nuts and water. I haven’t had soda nor tea since I was told that I had diabetes and that’s been over 4 1/2 years ago.
After I lost 25 lbs my doctor took me off my medication and said he no longer see ANY sign of the disease. Remind U it wasn’t easy but my mind was made up and I was determined 2 win and NEVER give up. At the end of about 7 months I had lost 60 lbs n have kept it off. My journey wasn’t easy and its still not but I keep my head up and push on
Samanthia, thanks for saying that! What was the hardest thing you faced when you were trying to lose weight?
Hello Joe,
It has been almost a year since I posted my info on your site re: Can Diabetes Be Cured? So thought I would drop in and give you an update. I had hoped that I would have a 6 months affirmative that I am cured, but last year I had awful upper respiratory illness (new to Kansas) and a new job so I amended that to 1 year for curing diabetes.
I had dropped 10 lbs of weight from last year posting, hitting a low of 223 lbs. Then just before Christmas I have been hammered with some discouraging structural difficulties, probably overuse injuries (knee and hamstring). When a person is 60 years old and doing “2 a days” trying to hit the 220 before Christmas, you are probably overdoing it. But while better, I’m still diabetic!
I’m going increasingly from moderation to extreme in my eating healthy, exercising daily with borderline extremism, mixing weights, recumbent bike, and racquetball. I look at weight loss in terms of 5 lb increments, slow and steady, and yes, would love to be able to tell you that “Look, I’m cured!” but the truth is “Look, I’m better!”
I still take the meds to stay in control. Maybe I’ll check in any 6 months to a year and let you know how I’m doing. My wish is that your title could be true, but also, if I can complain just a bit, I wish it were, “Can the American Lifestyle be Cured?” That in my mind is the big issue, that we as a people rely on processed foods, junk, and don’t really eat and exercise like people used to do. But I’m preaching to the choir, aren’t I? I’ll check in 6 months, and let you know how the old 60 year old diabetic dude is doing.
Darrell, thanks for giving me an update on how you are doing! Even though you have had some setbacks you ARE healthier for your efforts. If your knees and back hurt have you tried to find a gym with a pool. That would let you exercise with less pain. Also remember those portion sizes. That is where you’ll see the biggest change in your weight and blood sugar. Remember slow and steady wins the race. Don’t aim for extreme workouts; just try to do a little bit each day. Its like doubling a penny every day. at the end of a month, you’d have a million dollars!
Focus on the big picture and you will be ok. I know type II diabetes can be cured. I just spoke with somebody recently who cured her own diabetes. Slow and steady Darrell. Slow and steady. I’ll look forward to hearing how you are doing in 6 months
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