Reverse Diabetes or Control It Forever? The Truth No One Tells Patients
- Anirban Biswas
- Feb 5
- 3 min read
Introduction: The Viral Promise of “Diabetes Reversal”
The word “diabetes reversal” is everywhere.
Social media reels, YouTube doctors, WhatsApp forwards—all promise the same thing:
“Follow this method and reverse diabetes forever.”
But medicine does not run on hype. It runs on biology.
This is the real-life conversation between Mr Tarun Dua, a 29-year-old software engineer newly diagnosed with diabetes, and Dr Anirban Biswas, one of Delhi’s most trusted diabetes experts—discussing what reversal really means, who can achieve it, and what success truly looks like.
Patient Profile: Mr Tarun Dua
Age: 29 years
Profession: Software engineer
Lifestyle: Sedentary, long screen hours
BMI: 27 (overweight)
Family history: Father diabetic
Diagnosis: Newly detected type 2 diabetes
Initial Reports
Fasting glucose: 132 mg/dL
Postprandial glucose: 224 mg/dL
HbA1c: 6.9%
Concerned and anxious, Tarun asked the most common question.
Q1: “Doctor, Can Diabetes Be Cured or Reversed?”
Mr Tarun Dua:“Doctor, everyone online is talking about diabetes reversal. Can my diabetes be cured?”
Dr Anirban Biswas:“Let me be very clear.Diabetes is not cured. But in some people, it can go into remission.”
This distinction is critical.
Q2: What Does “Diabetes Reversal” Actually Mean?
Dr Anirban Biswas:“Reversal is a misleading word. The correct medical term is diabetes remission.”
True Diabetes Remission Means:
✔️ Normal blood sugar levels✔️ Without medicines✔️ Sustained for months to years
📌 This is not cure.The tendency for diabetes remains.
That is the diabetes reversal truth patients rarely hear.
Q3: Why Is Everyone Promising Easy Reversal Then?
Dr Anirban Biswas:“Because honesty doesn’t go viral—promises do.”
Many influencers confuse:
Temporary sugar controlwith
Permanent disease resolution
Stopping medicines for a few weeks is not reversal.
Q4: Who Can Actually Achieve Diabetes Remission?
Dr Anirban Biswas:“Only a specific group of patients.”
Patients Most Likely to Reverse Insulin Resistance:
✔️ Newly diagnosed diabetes (≤5 years)✔️ No insulin dependence✔️ Preserved pancreatic beta cell function✔️ Willing to make major lifestyle changes
Mr Tarun Dua fits this profile.
Q5: Why Does Early Diabetes Have a Better Chance?
Dr Anirban Biswas:“In early diabetes, the pancreas is tired—not dead.”
At this stage:
Insulin resistance is reversible
Beta cells can recover
Lifestyle changes have maximum impact
This is called insulin resistance reversal, not cure.
Q6: Who Cannot Reverse Diabetes?
Dr Anirban Biswas:“Many patients cannot—and that’s okay.”
Low Chance of Reversal:
❌ Long-standing diabetes (>10 years)❌ Advanced complications❌ Very low pancreatic reserve❌ Long-term insulin dependence
For them, control is success.
Q7: Is Control a Failure Compared to Reversal?
Mr Tarun Dua:“So if someone can’t reverse diabetes, does that mean they’ve failed?”
Dr Anirban Biswas:“Absolutely not.”
“Long-term control with minimal complications is a medical victory.”
This is where social media damages patient psychology.
Q8: What Are the Dangers of Chasing False Reversal?
Dr Anirban Biswas:“I see complications not from diabetes—but from bad advice.”
Common Dangerous Mistakes:
🚫 Stopping medicines suddenly🚫 Extreme keto diets without supervision🚫 Herbal shortcuts and ‘miracle powders’🚫 Ignoring postprandial glucose
These can cause:
Sugar rebound
Ketosis
Nutritional deficiencies
Delayed proper treatment
Q9: What Is the Smart Goal for Most Patients?
Dr Anirban Biswas:“The smarter goal is not reversal—it’s durable control.”
🎯 Long-term control with the lowest medicine burden
This includes:
Stable sugars
Good energy
No complications
Sustainable lifestyle
Q10: What Plan Did Dr Anirban Biswas Suggest for Tarun?
Step 1: Lifestyle First
✔️ Reduce refined carbohydrates✔️ High-protein, high-fiber diet✔️ 7–8 hours sleep
Step 2: Build Muscle
✔️ Resistance training 3–4x/week✔️ Muscle improves insulin sensitivity
Step 3: Monitor Smartly
✔️ Focus on post-meal glucose✔️ HbA1c trends, not daily panic
Step 4: Medicines as Support
✔️ Low-dose metformin✔️ No rush to stop medicines
Can Tarun Achieve Remission?
Dr Anirban Biswas:“Yes—if he stays consistent.”
But with a warning:
“Remission is not a one-time event. It’s a state that must be maintained.”
Weight regain, stress, or inactivity can bring diabetes back.
Doctor’s Truth Bomb 💣
Dr Anirban Biswas says:
“Reversal is possible for some.Control is success for all.”
Medicine should empower patients—not shame them.
Final Message for Patients
If you’re newly diagnosed like Tarun:
Yes, remission may be possible
But it requires discipline, not shortcuts
If you have long-standing diabetes:
Don’t chase viral promises
Aim for stable, lifelong control
Because the real win is not a hashtag—it’s a complication-free life.
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