It is known the most successful way of putting type 2 diabetes into a remission state is to lose weight, with the Mediterranean diet or a low-carb diet being encouraged by doctors.
In 2019, approximately 463million people worldwide had diabetes, including 4.7million in the UK and 34.2million in the US.
The vast majority of cases (around 90 per cent) are type 2 diabetes, which is often triggered by being overweight, not exercising, and eating an unhealthy diet.
Professor Jeremy Pearson, the BHF organisation's associate medical director, said: 'This important study of nearly half a million people shows that BMI is a more vital risk factor for type 2 diabetes than we previously realised.
'When someone's BMI goes above their personal threshold, blood sugar levels increase, triggering the onset of type 2 diabetes, which can lead to damaged blood vessels and increased risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases.
'If you are overweight, making small, long-term changes to your lifestyle such as reducing portion sizes and being more physically active can help lower your BMI, which is good for your heart and blood vessels.'
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Ianc2
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I had bypass surgery in late 2018. I'm very lucky in having a pro-active GP who has a special interest in heart disease amongst his patients. He dug into my blood test history and discovered my HbA1c scores had been steadily trending up for several years until I was teetering on the edge of being "pre-diabetic". His diagnosis was that I was insulin resistant and it was imperative that I lose some weight. He also said that there's no one perfect diet, and each person needs to find something that works for them, in the context of their genes and their lifestyle.
I eventually settled on a Mediterranean diet with a moderate low-carb bias. In addition I implemented the NHS recommendation for at least 150 minutes of fairly serious exercise per week. Over the space of about six months I got back to a healthy BMI and have remained there ever since. The latest blood tests show my HbA1c scores are now right back in the healthy zone.
There's no actual cure for heart disease, but by reversing my slide towards Type 2 Diabetes all the evidence suggests I've put many years onto my life expectancy, and furthermore the chances are that many more of those years will now be "healthy" years, instead of the unhealthy years I could otherwise expect.
I'm no paragon of virtue. I don't have superhuman will power or any special capabilities. If I can do it then many other people can do it and probably do it far better than me. The simple truth for very many people on this forum is that our future health is primarily in our own hands.
From personal experience, I have lost just over 5 stones since January and a diagnosis of coronary heart disease. At that time my HbA1c was 52 mmol/mol (diagnosis of diabetes is 48 mmol/mol, prediabestes is 42). In April my number was 38 and in July 33. Weight loss resulted from a low carb Mediterranean diet. Also increased exercise levels - although not sure this impacts overly on weight loss.
The first month I followed the “Newcastle Diet” (800 calories per day - specifically designed to combat T2 diabetes). My surgery diabetic nurse had never heard of it and wanted to increase my medication.
Was on 2000mg of Metformin per day (four tablets). Now zero.
Moral of the story - weight loss/ low carb works, take personal responsibility and don’t just rely on the “experts.” Type 2 is still regarded by many as a lifelong and progressive disease. It isn’t!
I have recently been diagnosed with high BP so am not contending with the complications of heart problems that many of you are but losing weight is one of the toughest things I’ve ever encountered especially the last few stubborn pounds. I was overweight for most of my life (63 years) and no diets worked for me but I decided to do the Michael Mosley Fast 800. This was very hard and prescriptive at the beginning but I stuck it out and got my bmi down to healthy. I’d recommend for anyone struggling with their weight. Good online support, too. It’s supposed to help anyone with pre diabetes or diabetic.
Sending good thoughts to everyone struggling with their weight.
Very well done, As you get closer to your target the grehlin hormone kicks in to tell you it is burning fat and it is regarded as hunger. Congratulations. As always its the last few pound that are the hardest.
Just a note of caution, some Medications make it difficult to lose weight, and Age is also a factor. They are not reasons not to lose weight just they can make it harder !!! So Don't Despair
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