Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a serious condition, but did you know that for some people, it’s possible to temporarily reverse it? This isn’t just wishful thinking; it’s a real concept called type 2 diabetes remission.
T2D remission means that a person’s blood sugar levels have returned to normal without needing diabetes medication. With the right support and conditions, someone who has been recently diagnosed with T2D may be able to enter a period of remission that can last for months or even years.
Who Can Try to Achieve Remission?
Diabetes remission is most effective for those diagnosed with T2D within the last five to six years. While some research includes people up to ten years after diagnosis, most evidence points to a shorter timeframe being more successful. Remission is also ideal for individuals who aren’t yet taking insulin and are on only a few glucose-lowering medications. However, even if you don’t fit these exact criteria, trying to achieve remission can still be beneficial for your health and diabetes management.
How to Get Started
So, how can someone work toward remission? The key is to take a combined approach that is right for you. A recent review of 18 clinical trials showed that combining different strategies like managing medications, changing nutrition and physical activity habits, health coaching, and/or counselling improves the chances of achieving remission. These strategies aren’t a one-size-fits-all plan; they need to be tailored to each person’s needs and preferences.
Here are some of the first steps you can take:
- Talk to Your Healthcare Team: Discuss your options with a diabetes care team, which can include a nurse, registered dietitian, family doctor, or pharmacist. They can help you set realistic expectations that don’t involve shame or guilt.
- Focus on a Combination of Approaches: The research shows that the most successful strategies involve a mix of things like counseling, coaching for changes in nutrition and physical activity, and managing medication use. You can also use apps or technology to help you track your progress.
- Remember – It’s Not Just About Weight: While weight loss is a common result of these strategies, it’s not the only indicator of your health or success in achieving remission. Focusing on a healthy lifestyle can also improve other aspects of your life, such as your mobility and quality of life.
Why This Matters
Achieving remission can potentially reduce or delay complications from diabetes. It also goes beyond just diabetes and can improve other health outcomes, such as mobility and quality of life. The journey to remission is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires the support of your healthcare professionals and the people around you.
With the right strategies,T2D remission is possible. Remember, living with T2D is not your fault, and there are ways to make lasting changes that improve your life as you work toward remission.
Artwork created by Jing Yi Xie, an undergraduate student in Arts and Science at McMaster University with a passion for communicating experiences through illustrations.
See below for links to other resources with information on T2D remission:
- Click this link to read the published journal article that supported the evidence for this work.
- Watch Part 1 of the video series: Demystifying Type 2 Diabetes Remission here.
- Watch Part 2 of the video series: Demystifying Type 2 Diabetes Remission here.
- Discover a comic strip created on the journey towards T2D remission here.
This work was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Knowledge Mobilization Grant (KM2-196997). The authors thank Diabetes Action Canada | CIHR SPOR Network in Knowledge Mobilization and Implementation Science specifically the expertise from Monika Kastner, and Julie Makarski for their contributions to the Integrated Knowledge Translation Type 2 Diabetes Remission Advisory Team. Our iKT Team also included members from Diabetes Canada, Institute for Personalized Therapeutic Nutrition, and Institute for Health System Transformation & Sustainability.
About the author
Megan Racey
Megan is a Research Coordinator at McMaster University with a passion for creating impact and sharing research about human health and nutrition. Her work focuses on reviews of high-quality evidence for the prevention and treatment of health conditions such as frailty, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease across the lifespan. She also supports the co-design and implementation of community research studies for people living with diabetes.
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