‘Diabetes reversal is real, all we need is dedication’

Nagpur: Doctors from Vidarbha who treat diabetes discussed the three pillars of diabetes management on Sunday. They claimed that exercise, education and nutrition are keys with which one can achieve the reversal of diabetes.
“Reversal of type 2 diabetes (which comes with age) through diet changes and weight loss is very much possible. Yes, you may be able to reach and hold normal blood sugar levels without medication or just with one tablet,” said Dr Prashant Gowardhan, who took over as president of Diabetic Association of India, Nagpur chapter, on Sunday. Dr Gowardhan said it’s possible for some people to go years without trouble controlling their glucose and the health concerns that come with diabetes.
Nagpur divisional commissioner (in-charge) Dr Madhavi Khode-Chawre, who is also a doctor, said that increasing diabetes is creating problems in administration too. “Diabetes has become so common that many administrative officials miss important meetings due to it. Work stress and hectic schedule worsen their diabetic condition. Many good officials had to stop midway or leave key projects because of their diabetic conditions,” she said, appealing to the DAI Nagpur chapter to frame some programmes for the administrative officials and staff.
Endocrinologist Dr Himanshu Patil was installed as secretary of DAI Nagpur chapter. Veteran pediatrician Dr VK Bhardwaj from Jabalpur, who is also an endocrinologist, shared a mantra for common people. “To control diabetes, keep ‘Pair Garam, Pet Naram and Dimag Thanda’,” he said, hinting, wards to keep legs moving (walk more), belly half-filled (controlled food intake) and mind stress-free. Dr Bharadwaj also spoke on the use of insulin pump in type 1 diabetic (those who have diabetes from childhood). Dr Ajay Kaduskar delivered an interesting lecture on latest medicines available to control diabetes.
Dr Prajkta Deshmukh, immediate past president of the DAI said that his team got an additional year to serve because no new team took over during the pandemic year. “We used this opportunity to organize several online academic events for our members. Though it was a pandemic year, it was eventful for us,” he said.
Dr Himanshu Patil said that they will be holding people-centric events throughout the year. “Education is the first step to stop diabetes and we are going to focus on the same. Even today, we had an open forum for common people in which hundreds of non-medicos participated and raised their questions,” he said.
DIABETES REVERSAL
* Although there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, studies show it’s possible for some people to reverse it
* Most people who reversed type 2 diabetes lost 15kg or more
* People who lost weight had lower levels of fat in liver and pancreas
* This helps beta cells in pancreas that release insulin and control blood sugar
* Exercise helps only when combined with changes to eating habits
* Dietary supplements, over-the-counter drugs, alternative medicines do not work