Dr. Michael Mosley, who sadly passed away last year, held a deep respect for his diabetes condition.
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A BBC Morning Live doctor has said people may be able to put their diabetes into remission by making some simple changes. This is something the late Doctor Michael Mosley spoke about after he reversed his own type two diabetes, undergoing a significant transformation by losing a stone-and-a-half in just 12 weeks.
In addition to frequent guest Mark Lane, Mark revealed that he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes towards the end of last year. Reflecting on his diagnosis, he expressed that he experienced "mixed emotions."
He shared, "My father passed away due to complications related to diabetes; he had type 1. My brother also has type 1. Additionally, I live with my husband Jason, who has type 2, so I deal with that on a daily basis."
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When discussing the concept of being "proactive," he mentions that making lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet and exercising can be quite "challenging," stating, "it's not as simple as it seems."
Diabetes is a chronic medical condition characterized by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. This occurs either because the body does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar, or because the cells do not respond effectively to insulin. There are several types of diabetes, including Type 1, where the body fails to produce insulin; Type 2, which is often linked to lifestyle factors and involves insulin resistance; and gestational diabetes, which can occur during pregnancy. Managing diabetes typically involves monitoring blood sugar levels, following a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and, in some cases, taking medication or insulin therapy.
Dr. Ranj explains that "diabetes is a condition where your body isn't able to regulate your blood sugar levels and it's unable to use that sugar for what it's meant to be used for." He adds that in the long term, it can cause a lot of damage to your organs, eye sight and more.
He explains that there are two primary types of diabetes. Type 1 occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin and is often linked to genetic factors. In contrast, type 2 diabetes, which is more prevalent, is generally connected to lifestyle choices.
What are the reasons behind some individuals developing diabetes?
According to the doctor, the increasing number of diagnoses can be attributed to individuals consuming a diet rich in highly refined foods and sugars, which is "strongly linked to obesity." Additionally, a lack of physical activity contributes to the problem. He explains that "the combination of these factors" is frequently the underlying cause for the high prevalence of these conditions among people.
What are the indicators and manifestations of diabetes?
Individuals exhibiting symptoms of type 2 diabetes often experience the following as a result of elevated blood sugar levels:
- Feeling thirsty even after drinking fluids
- Passing urine more, especially at night
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision that may come and go
- Unexplained weight loss
- Cuts, ulcers or sores
Is it possible for me to achieve remission from my diabetes?
Dr. Ranj says that remission means you can "almost stop the condition in its tracks" and you "may not need medication to control it and you can control it using other factors."
He states, "Regarding type 2 diabetes, there are certain factors that may be out of your control, such as your age, ethnicity, and family history. However, you can take steps to address these factors. By doing so, you can lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and if you are already diagnosed, implementing specific interventions can help halt its progression or decrease the reliance on medications."
So what can you try? Dr. Ranj says you can:
- Reduce your calorie intake
- Try a low carbohydrate diet
- Reduce your intake of refined foods and refined sugars
- Exercise more
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Lose weight if you are not at a healthy weight
Dr. Claire Bailey Mosley, widow of the late Michael Mosley, remarked, "He shed nine kilograms and honestly, he didn’t even appear to be overweight, which can be deceiving. He managed to lose those nine kilos and turn his diabetes around, and every now and then, he had a fondness for chocolate that I had to keep out of sight," she chuckled.
She described, "For him, it was a complete game changer. Occasionally, his sugar levels would rise, and he would simply return to the Fast 800 program to address it. That’s perfectly fine as long as you monitor it and weigh yourself from time to time. Overall, it proved to be extremely effective for him."
