is there a cure for diabetes

Can Diabetes Be Completely Cured?
Current research indicates that type 2 diabetes cannot be completely cured. However, patients can achieve a return of blood sugar levels to the non-diabetic range (complete remission) or to the pre-diabetic range (partial remission). For example, a severely obese individual with type 2 diabetes, following medical advice, consistently exercised and controlled their diet. After several months, they lost weight and saw significant improvement in blood sugar levels, achieving partial remission.

Some perspectives hold that diabetes currently cannot be completely cured or eliminated, but most people can achieve reversal. An aunt, after being diagnosed with diabetes, found a suitable diet and exercise regimen and stuck to it. Her symptoms significantly reduced, her blood sugar stabilized close to the normal range, and she achieved diabetes reversal.

Will There Be a Cure for Diabetes in the Future?
While there is currently no cure for diabetes, scientists across the UK are actively exploring various potential methods for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. One research team persistently experimented in the lab, overcoming difficulties, and eventually made a new discovery. While still far from a complete cure, this represents significant progress.

Evidence from dietary restriction and bariatric surgery studies suggests that resetting metabolism might effectively cure diabetes. Research into drugs that can selectively restore energy balance is an exciting prospect for future type 2 diabetes treatment. In an experiment using dietary restriction, a research group observed significant improvement in some volunteers’ conditions. Though not a cure, it was an important step forward.

How Do People Develop Diabetes?
The exact cause of most types of diabetes is unknown. However, in all cases, sugar builds up in the blood because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. For instance, a classmate with a family history of diabetes, who was inactive and had a sweet tooth, developed the condition due to genetic predisposition combined with an unhealthy lifestyle.

While type 2 diabetes is often associated with being overweight, people of completely healthy weight can also develop it, potentially facing greater risks. A fit and exercise-conscious friend was unexpectedly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes during a company check-up. The doctor suggested long-term factors like chronic sleep deprivation and high stress may have increased their risk.

Life Expectancy with Diabetes

  • A 50-year-old with type 2 diabetes has a life expectancy about 6 years shorter than someone without diabetes. Achieving treatment targets can increase life expectancy by 3 years, and for some, by up to 10 years. A man diagnosed at 50, through active treatment, controlled diet, and consistent exercise, managed his condition well and maintained a high quality of life.
  • The younger someone is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the higher the risk of diabetes-related complications shortening their lifespan. However, with effective management strategies, they may still live as long as someone without diabetes. A young person diagnosed at 20 created and strictly followed a detailed management plan, stabilized their condition, and hopes to live healthily to 100.
  • At the end of an observation period, individuals with type 1 diabetes were projected to live to an average age of 70.96, while those with type 2 diabetes were projected to reach 75.19. The overall life expectancy for people with diabetes was 74.64 years – similar to the general population. Long-term community tracking showed most patients reached their expected lifespan through active treatment and healthy living. One individual with type 1 diabetes lived to 75, exceeding expectations.

View the related YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/7BAEewvZE8U. In diabetes support groups, patients share experiences, stating that with active treatment, healthy living, and a positive mindset, living a long life is entirely possible.

Has China Developed a Cure for Diabetes?
Chinese scientists at Shanghai Changzheng Hospital achieved success by curing type 2 diabetes through pancreatic islet cell transplantation. In July 2021, a blood-to-islet-cell transformation procedure freed a 59-year-old patient from type 2 diabetes. The results, published in the journal Cell Discovery, showed the patient had been free of oral medication for over a year. The news caused a sensation in the medical community. The cured patient is now free from diabetes and living a normal life.

Can Diabetics Eat Bananas?
Yes, people with diabetes can eat bananas. When consumed in moderation as part of a balanced, personalized meal plan, bananas are a safe and nutritious fruit. For example, a neighbour with diabetes consulted their doctor and now eats one banana daily, satisfying cravings without affecting blood sugar levels.

How to Prevent Diabetes

  • Lose excess weight: Weight loss reduces diabetes risk. An overweight young man successfully lost 30 pounds through exercise and a sensible diet, normalizing his check-up results and lowering his diabetes risk.
  • Exercise more: Regular physical activity has numerous benefits. A previously inactive friend, feeling unwell, started running after work on their doctor’s advice. Their health improved, energy levels rose, and diabetes risk decreased.
  • Eat healthy plant-based foods: A family primarily eating plant-based foods, avoiding greasy and high-sugar items, enjoys good health and a low likelihood of diabetes.
  • Consume healthy fats: Healthy fats like olive oil, consumed moderately, benefit the body. An elderly person who consistently cooks with olive oil maintains good health indicators.
  • Avoid fad diets, make healthier choices: Extreme diets are often ineffective for weight loss, can harm health, and may increase diabetes risk. Opt for healthy, sustainable approaches instead.

Does Eating a Lot of Sugar Cause Diabetes?
Excessive sugar intake is not linked to type 1 diabetes and does not directly cause type 2 diabetes. However, it significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Studies show frequent consumption of sugary drinks raises type 2 diabetes risk. For instance, a colleague who drank several bottles of cola daily was found to have high blood sugar levels and was warned by their doctor to reduce sugary drink intake.

Early Symptoms of Diabetes

  • Frequent urination: Needing to urinate often, including multiple times at night.
  • Excessive thirst: Constant thirst that isn’t quenched by drinking.
  • Increased hunger despite eating: Feeling hungry soon after eating, sometimes with unexplained weight loss.
  • Extreme fatigue: Persistent tiredness and lack of energy.
  • Blurred vision: Vision becoming fuzzy.
  • Slow-healing sores or bruises: Cuts or injuries taking longer than usual to heal.
  • Unexplained weight loss (especially Type 1, despite eating more): Losing weight without trying.
  • Tingling, pain, or numbness in hands/feet (especially Type 2): Nerve-related sensations like pins and needles.

How Does Having Diabetes Feel?

  • Extreme thirst: Persistent dry mouth, unrelieved by drinking.
  • More frequent urination, especially at night: Disrupted sleep due to needing the toilet.
  • Feeling very tired: Easily fatigued, lacking energy for small tasks.
  • Weight loss, reduced muscle mass: Noticeable thinning and loss of strength.
  • Slow-healing wounds or ulcers: Increased susceptibility to infections.
  • Frequent yeast infections (vaginal or penile): Causing discomfort and impacting daily life.
  • Blurred vision: Affecting normal activities and work.

Foods Diabetics Should Avoid
People with diabetes should avoid high-fat dairy products, animal proteins like butter, beef, hot dogs, sausages, and bacon, limit coconut and palm kernel oils, and steer clear of trans fats found in processed snacks, baked goods, shortening, and stick margarine. One patient, unaware of dietary restrictions, consumed high-fat foods, leading to poor blood sugar control and worsening condition. After adjusting their diet under medical guidance, their blood sugar stabilized.

Common Diabetes Treatments in China
In China, Coptis chinensis (Huang Lian) is frequently used to treat diabetes. Berberine, its active component, shows significant blood sugar-lowering effects in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics and those with poorly controlled conditions. A traditional Chinese medicine practitioner often uses Coptis. A newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patient saw their blood sugar drop after taking Chinese medicine containing it.

Are Asians Immune to Diabetes?
No. Asians with the same age, gender, and Body Mass Index (BMI) as other ethnicities tend to have a higher percentage of body fat. This means they face a higher risk of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease compared to other groups at the same BMI – known as the “Yudkin-Yanik Paradox.” Data surveys show that in communities where Asians and other ethnicities have similar BMIs, more Asians develop diabetes, attributed to their relatively higher body fat percentage.

What is Advanced Diabetes?
“Advanced diabetes” isn’t a standard term, but diabetes can lead to advanced complications. Severe complications like advanced kidney disease (nephropathy) can develop after many years with the condition. A long-term diabetic who neglected their health developed advanced kidney disease, leading to frequent dialysis and a significantly reduced quality of life.

Key Points Summarized:

  • Diabetes Management & Cure Research:
    • Type 2 diabetes cannot be fully cured currently, but complete or partial remission is achievable.
    • UK scientists are actively researching cures for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
    • China has successfully cured Type 2 diabetes via pancreatic islet cell transplantation.
    • Research into dietary restriction suggests metabolic resetting could potentially cure diabetes.
  • Diabetes Symptoms:
    • Frequent urination, Excessive thirst, Increased hunger, Extreme fatigue, Blurred vision, Slow healing, Unexplained weight loss (Type 1), Tingling/numbness in extremities (Type 2).
    • Living with diabetes often involves thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss, slow healing, infections, and vision issues.
  • Prevention & Diet:
    • Prevention: Lose excess weight, Exercise regularly, Eat healthy plant-based foods, Consume healthy fats, Avoid fad diets.
    • High sugar intake increases Type 2 diabetes risk.
    • Bananas can be eaten in moderation by diabetics.
    • Avoid: High-fat dairy, Certain animal proteins, Limit coconut/palm oils, Avoid trans fats.