Most people believe that once you have diabetes, you’ll live with it for life. Some, however, argue that it can be reversed under the right conditions. I can’t speak for everyone, but here’s my own experience — and the results speak for themselves.
My Diagnosis Story
I’m a 30-year-old man, 173 cm tall, with a family history of type 2 diabetes. In early 2020, during pandemic lockdowns, I spent most of my days indoors experimenting with cooking videos. My eating habits were terrible — oversized portions, high-fat and high-salt dishes, a love for carb-heavy meals, especially noodles. My weight climbed to over 180 pounds, but at the time, I didn’t care.
Then, warning signs began to appear:
- Persistent thirst and an unusual sweet taste in my mouth.
- Night sweats so heavy that my pillow was damp.
- Constant fatigue and lack of energy.
- Foamy urine.
These symptoms continued for weeks. One day, I weighed myself and realized I had lost over 10 pounds without trying — a red flag. The next morning, I went to a pharmacy for a fasting blood sugar test: it was over 9 mmol/L.
A hospital visit confirmed my fear: type 2 diabetes. The doctor prescribed herbal medicine, and with some dietary adjustments, my fasting blood sugar dropped to around 6.5 mmol/L. I started to feel overconfident and relaxed my habits.
The Relapse
By early 2021, my symptoms returned. This time, fasting blood sugar was 16 mmol/L, and I had to start taking metformin. The thought of being on medication before turning 30 was crushing. I also worried about starting a family — would my child inherit this condition?
I tightened my diet, avoided many foods, and became more cautious, but the idea of long-term medication weighed heavily on me.
The Turning Point
In 2022, while researching ways to manage diabetes, I learned about the links between obesity, waist size, and insulin resistance. The message was clear: I needed to lose weight. I came across the concept of intermittent fasting — specifically the “5:2” method, where you eat normally for five days and restrict calories for two days. Many health experts claimed this could help improve insulin function.
I decided to commit. Starting right after Lunar New Year, I combined intermittent fasting with daily cycling to and from work.
The Results
By April, I had lost 20 pounds. I reduced my metformin from two tablets a day to one, and eventually skipped a dose. Testing my blood sugar at home, I saw numbers I hadn’t seen in years:
- 1 hour after a meal: 7.1 mmol/L
- 2 hours after a meal: 5.3 mmol/L
- Fasting blood sugar: 4.6 mmol/L
During a routine check-up, my HbA1c was 5.0%. The doctor told me, “You’re controlling it well. Stop the medication. Focus on lowering your cholesterol and keep losing weight.”
Lessons Learned
It has now been months since I stopped medication, and my blood sugar remains stable. I don’t know if diabetes will ever return, but one thing is clear: lifestyle changes made all the difference.
For me, it came down to two simple rules:
- Control your diet — avoid overindulgence, limit processed carbs, and choose nutrient-dense foods.
- Stay active — find an exercise routine you can maintain long-term.
Diabetes isn’t just about medication; it’s about reclaiming control over your health. While my experience may not apply to everyone, I hope it inspires others to take proactive steps toward better management — or even reversal — of this condition.
