Even as we try to adapt to the new normal thrust upon us by the Covid pandemic that the world continues to battle, one cannot turn a blind eye to the world reaching epidemic proportions when it comes to Diabetes. Of an approximate 537 million adults living with Diabetes today, nearly 80 per cent are afflicted with Type 2 Diabetes. Here’s another shocking statistic: 1 in 3 people in India is prediabetic – that is, the condition which precedes Type 2 Diabetes.

What is Type 2 Diabetes? This condition is characterised by chronically elevated blood sugar levels. Most think that Diabetes is a blood sugar problem, but this is not entirely true. The root cause which drives the condition is ‘Insulin Resistance’.

When we consume food, it is converted into sugar inside the body. Your body’s way of handling the sugar is by producing the hormone – Insulin. This hormone helps in moving the sugar inside your cells so that it can be used as energy. Sounds simple and exciting, right? Well, it’s a little more than that, though.

In the body of a healthy individual, this system of insulin production works effectively. However, if you have Type 2 Diabetes or are pre-diabetic or obese, this system gets affected. When you consume a carbohydrate-rich diet or when you have multiple small meals a day, it elevates your insulin levels for longer periods of time and your cells start to become resistant to the effects of insulin. Excess production of insulin in the body makes it difficult for the hormone to do its work efficiently. This is what happens in Type 2 Diabetes. Excess production of insulin is toxic to the body.

 What Are The Effects Of Elevated Insulin Levels In The Blood?

1. It triggers fat-storage, resulting in excessive weight gain, especially around the abdomen
2. It causes water and salt retention, which raises your Blood Pressure
3. In women, it can cause excess production of testosterone in the ovaries, which is associated with PCOS or Polycystic ovarian syndrome
4. It increases the risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes

If you want to work on reversing your Diabetes or pre-diabetes, the only way to do this is working on the root cause, which is Insulin Resistance. Focusing on controlling the blood sugar levels without working on the root cause is similar to using a bucket to remove water from an overflowing sink without turning off the tap.

Before we go ahead with details about how to reverse your Diabetes, it is important to confirm the type of Diabetes in every individual case.

So, how do we find out whether your Diabetes is reversible?

You would need to get your blood tested for the following three blood tests, from a good lab:

1. HbA1c (Fasting is not required for this test)
2. Fasting C-peptide
3. Fasting Insulin

 (Please note: If you are on exogenous or external insulin injections, then only get your HbA1c and Fasting C-peptide tests done.)

If your fasting C-peptide levels are within the normal range, this means that you have Type 2 Diabetes, which can be reversed completely by inculcating the necessary lifestyle changes.

How can you confirm whether your Diabetes has completely reversed?

To be able to successfully become ‘Diabetes Free’, one would need to meet the following requirements without any oral medicines or exogenous insulin:

• Fasting blood sugar levels below 100
• Post prandial blood sugar levels below 140
• HbA1c below 6.3 (for Diabetes reversal) & below 5.6 (for Pre-Diabetes reversal)

We will discuss more about Diabetes reversal in the coming few weeks! I look forward to your presence on this wellness journey!

For queries and professional consultations, email Dr. Trishala: trishichopra@gmail.com

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