“Reverse Diabetes? Science Says It’s Possible!”
“Reverse Diabetes? Science Says It’s Possible!”
What is diabetes?
According to UCLA internist and diabetes specialist Dr. Rajesh Jain, diabetes is ultimately defined by one key characteristic: elevated blood sugar levels. While there are several types of diabetes, each with different underlying causes, they all share the same outcome: high levels of glucose in the bloodstream.
Normally, the pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that helps control blood sugar by allowing glucose from carbohydrates to enter the body’s cells, where it is used for energy. This delicate balance requires the right amount of insulin — neither too much nor too little.
When this system fails — whether due to insufficient insulin production, insulin resistance, or other factors — glucose accumulates in the bloodstream. Over time, this can lead to serious health complications, including vision problems and kidney disease.
What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin. In this form of diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin, which means glucose in the bloodstream cannot effectively enter the cells to be used for energy. As a result, individuals with type 1 diabetes must rely on insulin from external sources to manage their blood sugar levels.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance.
Dr. Rajesh Jain explains that “Type 2 diabetes is often associated with excess weight, particularly visceral fat—accumulated around the abdomen—which leads to insulin resistance.”
Under normal circumstances, insulin signals cells to allow glucose from carbohydrates to enter and be used for energy. However, with insulin resistance, the body’s cells no longer respond properly to insulin. As a result, glucose remains in the bloodstream instead of being absorbed, causing blood sugar levels to rise.
What is prediabetes?
Diabetes doesn’t happen suddenly — it develops over time. Dr. Rajesh Jain describes it as a continuum, more like a sliding scale than an on-off switch.
“We’ve determined a point along the slider that defines diabetes,” he explains. “Prediabetes occurs when someone is moving away from normal blood sugar levels and getting closer to the diabetic range — often because of less-than-ideal eating or exercise habits. It’s a warning sign.”
The good news is that the slider can move in either direction. Unhealthy lifestyle choices can bring someone closer to diabetes, but healthy changes, like a better diet and increased physical activity, can reverse the trend and restore normal blood sugar regulation.
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a form of high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy. This is due to insulin resistance resulting from the hormonal and physical changes that come with pregnancy, including weight gain.
Women who develop gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, even if their blood sugar levels return to normal after delivery.
“It’s like the check engine light,” says Dr. Rajesh Jain. “It’s natural to gain weight during pregnancy, but the body reacts to that fat the same way it does to weight gain at any other time — by becoming more insulin resistant.”
OBGYNs monitor gestational diabetes carefully because it can cause complications during pregnancy and delivery. While many women return to normal blood sugar levels after delivery, Dr. Rajesh Jain warns that gestational diabetes should not be ignored.
“It’s a sign that something is not working properly in the body’s glucose regulation,” he says. “Women who have had gestational diabetes remain at risk for developing diabetes in the future, and the condition often returns in subsequent pregnancies.”
What causes type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is thought to begin with an autoimmune response. Although its exact cause is not fully understood, researchers believe the immune system mistakenly targets the pancreas while trying to fight off a virus. In the process, it destroys insulin-producing cells, leading to severe insulin deficiency. At UCLA and other research centers, scientists are exploring drugs that can slow this immune response and help maintain the remaining function of the pancreas.
What causes type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes develops due to insulin resistance, which usually results from a combination of several factors. According to Dr. Rajesh Jain, most cases are associated with weight gain, often the result of poor dietary habits and physical inactivity, as well as a genetic predisposition toward insulin resistance. These combined factors reduce the body’s ability to use insulin effectively, leading to increased blood sugar levels over time.
Is diabetes genetic?
Yes, genetics can play a role, especially in type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Rajesh Jain, type 2 diabetes often runs in families, which indicates a genetic component to the disease.
“However, genes are not your destiny,” he emphasizes. “Even if your family has a history of diabetes, especially type 2, you can still make lifestyle choices that substantially reduce your risk.”
Can you get diabetes from eating too much sugar?
Although sugar can contribute, it’s not the only cause.
“Eating too much sugar is one factor,” Dr. Rajesh Jain says. “But it’s your overall diet and lifestyle that have the biggest impact on developing diabetes.”
Constantly eating unhealthy foods — especially those high in calories, refined carbohydrates, and added sugar — can lead to weight gain and insulin resistance, which over time increases your risk for type 2 diabetes.
Foods that may increase the risk of developing diabetes –
especially when eaten in excess – include:
- Added sugar
- Fried foods
- High-fat foods
- Refined (simple) carbohydrates
- Processed and packaged foods
On the other hand, foods that do not increase the risk of diabetes – and may even help prevent it –
include:
- Non-starchy vegetables
- Fresh fruits (in moderation)
- Lean proteins (such as poultry and fish)
- Foods rich in fibre, such as whole grains, legumes, and leafy vegetables
How to Prevent Diabetes
Yes, diabetes is often preventable — especially type 2 diabetes — through healthy lifestyle habits focused on good nutrition and regular physical activity.
Dr. Rajesh Jain explains that the increase in diabetes is partly due to changes in the way people eat. Compared to previous generations, more people today rely on fast food, frozen meals, and processed options rather than preparing fresh, home-cooked meals. These convenience foods often lack the nutrients needed for good health and can contribute to weight gain and insulin resistance.
Making small, intentional choices about what you eat can make a big difference.
“I encourage my patients to be mindful,” says Dr. Rajesh Jain. “It’s not realistic to tell someone to avoid all sweets forever. But I can tell them to be aware of what they eat and make intentional choices.”
This approach helps people find balance. For example, someone may choose to enjoy dessert today but consciously choose not to eat dessert for the next few days to stay on track. This kind of awareness and restraint can support long-term health and help prevent diabetes.
Does diabetes make you tired?
Yes, fatigue can be a symptom of diabetes.
Dr. Rajesh Jain says many of his patients with type 2 diabetes report feeling sleepy or sluggish, especially after eating.
“Often, this is a sign that your blood sugar level is rising and your body is responding by slowing down,” he explains. While occasional fatigue after meals is normal, frequent episodes may be a sign of an underlying problem and a reason to get tested for diabetes.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
Diabetes is usually diagnosed with a simple blood test called the hemoglobin A1C test.
Unlike other blood sugar tests, the A1C doesn’t require fasting. It measures average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months by checking how much glucose is attached to hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells.
“Glucose is a sticky sugar — it sticks to everything, including blood cells,” says Dr. Rajesh Jain. “By examining those cells, we can get a clear picture of a person’s long-term blood sugar levels.”
Can diabetes be cured?
While there’s no cure for diabetes, it can often be reversed, especially type 2 diabetes.
Reversing diabetes means lowering blood sugar levels to the point where medications are not needed, and maintaining that status through consistent, healthy habits like improved diet and regular exercise. However, it’s important to understand that reversal is not the same as curing — the underlying condition is still present and can return if healthy behaviors aren’t maintained.
Dr. Duru uses the analogy of a slider to describe this: Healthy choices can move the slider away from diabetes and toward better control, but they don’t “turn off” the disease. If those habits slip, the slider can easily slide back toward diabetes.
How to reverse diabetes
Reversing diabetes usually involves addressing the root cause, often excess weight.
Unlike diabetes management, which focuses on stabilizing blood sugar levels (often with the help of medications like metformin), reversal usually requires some degree of weight loss. This can be achieved through mindful eating, increased physical activity, medications, or surgery.
“Diabetes is defined by high blood sugar, regardless of the cause,” says Dr. Rajesh Jain. “Recovering from it often requires eating less — whether that’s through personal discipline, medication, or surgical intervention.”
Bariatric surgery
For individuals with diabetes and a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher, bariatric surgery may be an effective option for reversing the condition. This weight loss surgery alters the stomach to limit food intake, leading to significant and sustained weight loss. It has been proven effective in reversing diabetes in approximately 60-70% of eligible patients.
One of the most common procedures is gastric sleeve surgery (gastrectomy), which reduces the size of the stomach and helps people feel full after eating smaller amounts. Before surgery, patients must complete a thorough preoperative process that includes medical assessments and psychological evaluation to ensure readiness and long-term success.
Weight loss medications
Medications known as GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic and Trulicity, are also being used to help with weight loss and reverse type 2 diabetes.
GLP-1 is a hormone the body makes naturally after eating, which helps reduce appetite. However, its effects are short-lived. GLP-1 agonists work in the brain to enhance the hormone’s effects to suppress appetite for up to a week, allowing individuals to eat less and manage their weight more effectively. This weight loss, in turn, can lead to improved blood sugar control and even reverse diabetes in some cases.
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