Dr Haq recommends making incremental increases to your daily step count (Image: Nuffield Health)
More than 5.8 million people are living with diabetes in the UK, and nine in 10 have type 2. This type occurs when the hormone insulin does not work properly, or a patient’s body does not produce enough of it, and it is usually linked to lifestyle factors. This means it can often be reversed by making changes that help to get blood sugar levels under control. There are many benefits of putting type 2 diabetes into remission, according to Dr Masud Haq, a consultant in diabetes and endocrinology at Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital.
He told the Express: “You can reduce your chances of developing diabetes-related complications such as heart disease, strokes and diabetes-related sight loss. Other benefits include lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight, and patients often report better energy levels and improved sleep. This can have a positive impact on your general health and well-being.” Here is Dr Haq’s three-step guide to putting type 2 diabetes into remission.
1. Weight loss is a key goal
Around 85% of people living with type 2 diabetes are carrying extra weight or living with obesity, according to Diabetes UK. Dr Haq said: “One option is to enrol in an NHS 12-month low-calorie weight management programme or, alternatively, follow a healthy diet with the primary goal of losing weight.
“Options include a low-calorie diet, a low-carbohydrate or low-fat diet, intermittent fasting, a meal replacement programme or a Mediterranean diet.
“Weight loss surgery, often called bariatric surgery, is a treatment available for type 2 diabetes, and there is good evidence it can be effective at putting type 2 diabetes into remission.
“Speak to your GP if you need more information on any of the above.” Maintaining a healthy weight has many other health benefits, including reducing your risk of conditions including heart attacks, strokes, cancer, kidney disease and osteoarthritis.
2. Regular exercise in conjunction with dietary changes
Being physically active increases glucose uptake by your muscles, improving insulin sensitivity.
It can also help to reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol, which helps to protect against other health problems linked to diabetes such as heart disease. Dr Haq said: “Physical activity, when performed alongside a healthy diet, can help with putting diabetes into remission. Steps count!
“Depending on where you’re starting, try to make incremental increases slowly but regularly, for example, if you’re walking 8,000 steps per day, increase it to 10,000 and try to exercise 30 minutes five days per week if possible.
“It doesn’t need to be high-intensity or high-impact, but could include gardening, housework, a walk in the park, strength training or yoga.”
Gardening and doing housework can contribute to physical activity (Image: Getty)
3. Medication can help
Weight loss jabs can help reduce appetite, making it easier to shift the pounds. Drugs such as Wegovy mimic the action of a gut hormone called GLP-1, which is released after eating.
Dr Haq said: “Medications such as Wegovy and Mounjaro are often prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes. They also have a licence for weight loss.
These drugs are currently being studied to see if they can support people with type 2 diabetes to put them into remission and should be used while under the care of a healthcare professional.
“Positive lifestyle changes — such as an increase in physical activity and focus on nutrition — will also help to reap the benefits of this medication.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
