Diabetes mellitus (DM) is of various types: type 1, type 2, genetically-mediated and others. The current discussion regarding remission of diabetes pertains only to type 2 DM. As of now, other types of DM cannot be put into remission. First, we need to clarify two terminologies which are often inter-changeably used – remission Vs reversal. Remission means a person remains diabetes-free without medications for a certain period. Whereas reversal means the disease is cured forever. The evidence so far suggests that diabetes can be put into remission, the duration of which can be variable from weeks to years.
Type 2 DM is a multi-factorial disease – family history, dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle, being overweight or obese and stress are some of the important factors. Some of these risk factors can lead on to another. Poor diet habits and sedentary lifestyle lead on to obesity which can cause DM. Based on the evidence so far, one factor which has been consistently shown to cause DM remission is weight loss. Studies have shown that a weight loss of about 10 to 15% can cause DM remission and the means of weight loss does not matter. It can be through diet management, exercise regimes, medications, bariatric surgery, or a combination of above. A person is more likely to achieve remission in the early stages of DM rather than many years after diagnosis. The person remains DM-free only as long as the person can maintain the weight after losing it. If they gain back the lost weight, glucose levels will again increase to diabetes range. This will explain why we should call it as DM remission rather than reversal.
