It might seem that every month there are headlines proclaiming “Eat Such and Such and Get Rid of All that Ails You!” We have all seen enough of these to look upon them with skepticism, and rightfully so. But occasionally, new research comes out showing a promising correlation between the reversal of Type 2 diabetes and dietary or lifestyle choices.
In late February, the University of Southern California released the results of a study conducted on mice and pancreatic cells to determine whether or not a diet that mimicked occasional fasting might be beneficial. The results were surprising, showing that a specialized fasting diet can actually trigger the release of new pancreatic cells, thus replacing the “broken” ones that cause dramatic swings in blood sugar.
While this is but a single study, there is a lot of interesting information here that could have potentially dramatic effects on the lives of people who suffer from Type 2 diabetes. If this research proves replicable and valid, what it means is that one has the potential to reverse their diabetes through a simple dietary change. Considering all the limitations and complications diabetes often entails, this is incredibly welcome news to many people who currently live with this condition.
In short, what the research on the mice and cells found was that periodic fasting acted to “reprogram” the cells that regulate the level and supply of glucose in the bloodstream. We all know that unstable glucose levels are the culprit behind Type 2 diabetes. What the researchers found was that intermittent fasting in mice promoted the release of a steady supply of insulin and replaced pancreatic cells that act to help regulate the level of glucose in the bloodstream.
The ability to bring insulin levels under control and to find ways in which to keep the levels steady and stable can actually lead to the reversal of Type 2 diabetes. If further research backs up these initial findings, what we might learn is that a doctor-monitored diet that involves occasional brief fasts might be what we need to get rid of this disease once and for all. Just imagine being able to have that control over your life back again.
Though much more research needs to be done, this recent study from the University of Southern California, published on February 23, 2017, indicates that there may be therapeutic potential for a monitored fasting diet as a means to reduce the complications of or even reverse Type 2 diabetes. This is potentially exciting news for anyone who suffers from this condition and hopes to find a non-chemical means by which to control their glucose levels. We will have to await further research to see how much weight this idea really does hold.
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USC Leonard Davis. URL Link. Accessed March 7, 2017.
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