The number of people living with type 1 and 2 diabetes in the UK is rising rapidly (currently 3.2 million and an estimated 1.1 million undiagnosed), with around 700 new cases being diagnosed every day. That’s one person every two minutes.
Here are some of the things you should be looking out for
It has long been assumed that once you’d got type 2 diabetes, you’ve got it for life and it would only get worse over time. But what is now being recognised is that it can be reversed by a surprisingly old-school treatment – a diet.
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic condition that affects the production of insulin by cells in the pancreas, leading to high levels of blood sugar. Left untreated, this can cause life-changing conditions such as stroke, heart disease, amputations, blindness and even death.
Dr Matthew Capehorn, GP and Medical Director at LighterLife, states that, “For the majority of patients with type 2 diabetes we now know it’s caused by the biochemical action of metabolically active fat cells.
This ‘visceral’ fat, which is mainly in and around organs such as the pancreas, is different to subcutaneous fat (the fat found just under the skin), and too much results in reducing the sensitivity that our body has to our own insulin. With prolonged excess weight, damage can occur to the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, making the problem much worse.”
The good news for those living with type 2 diabetes is that the new DiRECT research from Diabetes UK has proved that total dietary replacement (TDR) weight-loss plans – such as the LighterLife Total very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) – can reduce fat levels in and around the pancreas enough to restore insulin and blood-sugar levels to normal, sending their diabetes into remission. An incredible 46% of patients who followed the DiRECT TDR were still in remission from type 2 diabetes a year later.
So, now we know type 2 diabetes can be reversed, it’s important for us all to be aware of the early signs to ensure we catch it quickly and minimise long-term damage. Here are some key signs and symptoms to look out for…
Needing to wee more than usual, particularly at night
Dark patches on the skin
Feeling very tired or exhausted all the time
Increased appetite
Cuts or wounds that take a long time to heal properly
Unexpected weight loss
Nerve pain or numbness
Feeling very thirsty
Blurred vision
So, what can you do?
If you are concerned that you are showing any of the above symptoms, or if you are worried about the effects your weight may be having on your health, the first port of call is to make an appointment with your GP right away.
Fortunately, if you’re currently suffering from type 2 diabetes you have the opportunity to make a positive lifestyle change and kick-start your journey to health.
As proven in the recent Diabetes UK study, you can successfully put your type 2 diabetes into remission within a matter of months, simply by following a VLCD.
So go on, take the first step to a healthier you today.
LighterLife combines effective, nutritious weight-loss plans with unique, CBT-based group support to help you not only reach your goal weight quickly and efficiently, but also keep off the lost weight in the long term. With LighterLife, you don’t just see the difference, you feel it too, by discovering how to change your relationship with food, develop a much healthier approach to eating (and life in general) and ultimately living the life you want. Find out more at www.lighterlife.com
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