Can Diabetes Be Reversed? What You Need to Know

Without appropriate management, diabetes can lead to serious complications, including nerve damage, limb amputation, and blindness. But can diabetes be reversed? 

Yes, targeted dietary and lifestyle changes can significantly improve metabolic functions and may help reverse type 2 diabetes.

Discover what causes diabetes and learn how adopting the right diet can play a significant role in restoring insulin sensitivity and supporting healthy blood sugar levels. 

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the body is unable to effectively regulate blood glucose levels, resulting in chronically elevated blood sugar concentrations.

According to data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 12 percent of U.S. adults are affected by diabetes.

This metabolic imbalance occurs when cells don’t respond effectively to insulin, which is the hormone that directs glucose from the bloodstream into cells for energy. As insulin sensitivity declines, the pancreas increases insulin production in an attempt to maintain normal blood glucose levels. 

Elevated blood sugar levels and compensatory overproduction of insulin are clinical hallmarks of insulin resistance, which is the primary cause of type 2 diabetes.  

Over time, persistently high blood sugar can damage blood vessels, contribute to peripheral neuropathy, and impair vital organs, all of which increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening health complications.

Watch the video below to learn more about managing diabetes naturally.

Differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, also called non-insulin-dependent diabetes, typically develops from a combination of poor lifestyle choices and genetic factors.

Diets high in refined carbohydrates, sugars, or heavily processed foods, as well as physical inactivity, and excess weight can all contribute to its onset. 

A genetic predisposition can also increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, especially when these inherited factors are combined with an unhealthy diet, low activity levels, or other metabolic stressors.

This form of diabetes is characterized primarily by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. In type 2 diabetics, the pancreas continues to produce insulin, but cells don’t respond effectively, allowing blood sugar levels to remain high.

Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow wound healing
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

Conversely, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks and destroys the pancreatic beta cells responsible for producing insulin. 

Once a significant number of beta cells are destroyed, the body can no longer produce sufficient amounts of insulin to regulate blood sugar balance, making lifelong insulin therapy essential.

Research published by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) notes that symptoms of type 1 diabetes are similar to those of type 2, including excessive thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue. 

However, those with type 1 diabetes may also experience unexplained weight loss and persistent hunger despite frequent eating. 

Many people don’t experience noticeable symptoms in the early stages of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.

What does reversing diabetes mean?

Reversing diabetes refers to achieving remission of the condition by restoring the body’s ability to maintain blood sugar levels in a healthy, normal range without the use of diabetes medications. 

Fasting blood glucose levels are classified into the following categories:

• Normal: below 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) 
• Prediabetes: fasting levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL 
• Diabetic: fasting plasma levels of 126 mg/dL or higher 

Targeted lifestyle and dietary changes can help to reduce body weight, improve diabetes symptoms, and support effective glucose metabolism, all of which are vital for restoring insulin sensitivity. 

There’s currently no permanent cure for diabetes. Achieving remission requires ongoing management to prevent the return of high blood sugar, insulin resistance, or metabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of developing diabetes.

Signs your blood sugar is improving

Regular blood tests provide the most accurate measure of improvements in blood glucose levels. 

However, as glucose levels become more stable, many people notice physical and mental improvements, increased energy, reduced fatigue, and fewer episodes of thirst and urination. 

Stable blood sugar regulation can also alleviate brain fog, enhancing mental clarity and focus.

Additionally, you may experience fewer sugar and carb cravings as blood glucose and insulin levels stabilize, which can help you lose weight naturally without having to rely on a very low-calorie diet. 

Other signs of improved blood sugar control and metabolic balance include better sleep quality and a more positive mood.

What causes insulin resistance?

Insulin is released in response to food intake to regulate blood glucose balance by signalling cells to absorb sugar from the bloodstream. 

Frequent eating or snacking, especially meals high in carbohydrates, keeps insulin levels elevated, which can cause cells to become less responsive over time. 

As insulin sensitivity declines, the pancreas compensates by producing more insulin. Over time, this elevated insulin can further reduce cellular responsiveness, contributing to the development of insulin resistance.

Additional risk factors such as excessive weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, inactivity, and poor sleep quality further undermine glycemic control, making it more challenging for the body to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

How to support healthy blood sugar

Making intentional dietary and lifestyle changes can help restore metabolic balance, reverse insulin resistance, and reduce long-term health risks associated with diabetes. 

Here are six ways to support insulin sensitivity and promote healthy blood sugar balance.

1. Follow a Healthy Keto® diet

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan that limits carb intake to fewer than 50 grams daily to keep glucose low. 

Healthy Keto® is a nutrient-dense version of the traditional ketogenic diet that emphasizes high amounts of non-starchy vegetables, grass-fed and wild-caught protein, and healthy fats, such as avocados and olive oil.

“A healthy ketogenic diet promotes stable blood sugar levels and triggers ketosis, a metabolic state in which the body relies on fat rather than glucose for cellular energy,” explains Dr. Berg. “By minimizing glucose fluctuations and reducing insulin demand, this shift supports long-term metabolic health, which is vital for reversing diabetes.”

2. Practice intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting alternates periods of time-restricted eating and fasting, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels by reducing the frequency of insulin secretion. 

Restricting food intake to defined eating windows, such as the 16:8 method, which involves fasting for 16 hours and eating within an 8-hour window, can enhance insulin sensitivity, support weight loss, and help manage diabetes.

A study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that intermittent fasting yielded successful results in achieving remission from type 2 diabetes in 6 to 12 months.

3. Get regular exercise

Regular physical activity offers a range of health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and all-cause mortality. It also plays a significant role in reducing insulin resistance and managing type 2 diabetes.

Both aerobic exercise, including brisk walking or swimming, and resistance training, such as weightlifting, improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar balance by helping muscle tissue absorb glucose more effectively.

4. Incorporate apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV), especially varieties containing the “mother,” may help support normal blood glucose levels when taken before meals. 

Its primary active component, acetic acid, is believed to slow gastric emptying and carbohydrate digestion, which can lead to better post-meal glucose control and improved insulin sensitivity.

A study published in Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare found that regular use of ACV may help improve blood glucose control and support a healthier lipid profile in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

5. Prioritize sleep

While the role of sleep in diabetes management is often overlooked, inadequate rest can worsen blood sugar control and insulin resistance.

Adults should aim to get between seven and nine hours of restorative sleep to help maintain healthy blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce cortisol, a primary stress hormone that can raise blood sugar levels. 

A study published in Cureus found that “People with type 2 diabetes frequently experience sleep problems, which can be bad for their health, their mood, and their quality of life. On the other hand, sleep disturbances like obstructive sleep apnea increase the risk of metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes.”

6. Manage stress

Stress can negatively impact various aspects of health, including glucose regulation in individuals with diabetes. 

During stress, the body releases cortisol, which prompts the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream, providing extra energy to respond to the stressor.

Chronic elevation of cortisol levels can exacerbate insulin resistance and lead to increased fasting blood glucose levels. 

This explains why stress management techniques, such as deep breathing, walking in nature, or engaging in hobbies, can help manage diabetes, especially when combined with dietary changes.

When to seek medical guidance

While type 2 diabetes can often be reversed with diet and exercise, it’s vital to consult your healthcare provider if you notice worsening or new symptoms.  

Seek medical care if you experience: 

• Abnormal glucose level readings
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
• Excessive thirst or frequent urination
• Fatigue that interferes with daily life
• Blurred vision
• Poor wound healing
• Recurring infections
• Numbness or tingling sensation in hands or feet

Individuals with type 1 diabetes need ongoing medical supervision. Alongside healthy lifestyle habits, a low-carbohydrate diet, exercise, and insulin therapy, regular check-ups and lab tests are essential.

Healthcare providers should carefully monitor insulin adjustments, dietary changes, and daily routines to help prevent potentially life-threatening complications, such as diabetic ketoacidosis.

FAQ

Sources

1. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html 
2. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/type-1 
3. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/108/6/1415/
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10679383/ 
5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10693913/