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| - Last Updated on June 27, 2024 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A social media post makes the claim that cutting out sugar and carbohydrates is the permanent cure for diabetes. After verifying the facts, we determined that that claim is Mostly False.
The Claim
User Kennythyme claimed in a Threads post that diabetes can be treated with food instead of medication. Furthermore, the post asserts that carbohydrates, such as sugar, offer a permanent cure for diabetes, even for people with a history of the disease. The screenshot of the post has been shared for your reference.
Fact Check
Is the claimant authorised to make such assertions?
No, the claimant is not eligible to make any health-related assertions. During our search on the claimant’s background, we discovered that, despite not having a medical background, Ken Cichon has worked for over 30 years as a saxophonist, Hollywood-based film/video editor, and host of “The KeNikka Baseball Podcast. Hence, relying on such assertions which lack scientific evidence can be very risky.
Moreover, it should be clarified that diabetes is a complicated illness that cannot be managed with just a diet low in sugar and carbohydrates. Instead, comprehensive management of the condition includes proper prescription medicine, physical activity, and continuous blood sugar monitoring, particularly in situations of uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
Does diabetes have a permanent cure if you quit taking sugar?
No, quitting sugar (high diabetic risk factor) and reducing dietary carbohydrates can be a crucial step in the management of diabetes but cannot cure the condition. This is because the complexity of diabetes calls for individualised or tailored treatment regimens when the pancreas fails to produce any insulin at all or in sufficient amounts, or when the body fails to react appropriately to the effects of insulin. Additionally, there is no universal, evidence-based recommendation for reduced carbohydrate intake in the management of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes management primarily involves the implementation of lifestyle adjustments in conjunction with prescribed diabetes medications. The main components of these lifestyle adjustments include stress reduction, weight management, sensible exercise regimens, and dietary changes.
All of these modifications may result in a significant improvement in the status of someone diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Rarely, the condition might even reverse the prediabetic stage when these interventions are implemented successfully. It is crucial to stress that when this strategic management approach is combined with adjuvant medications and specific supplements, the outcomes could be enhanced.
On the other hand, the mainstay of care for those with type 1 diabetes is insulin therapy. This may be related to the autoimmune nature of the condition; therefore, cutting back on or eliminating carbohydrates may assist in preventing complications and improving quality of life. Furthermore, we were unable to come across any compelling evidence suggesting that cutting back on sugar consumption or giving up sugar could help manage type 1 diabetes.
When we asked about the possibility of curing diabetes by quitting sugar, dietitian Kajal Gupta pointed out that since diabetes is caused by increased insulin sensitivity or long-term damage to pancreatic cells, it is more likely to be managed than treated. Nevertheless, with the right combination of prescribed medicine, food choices, and lifestyle modifications, it can be handled effectively. Although there is continuous study to find ways to reverse or completely cure type 2 diabetes, definitive evidence is still elusive.
Therefore, giving up sugar may offer possibilities for managing Type 2 diabetes and even potentially reversing it in prediabetic situations; conversely, it may simply be advantageous for fostering wellness and improving diabetic care for those with Type 1 diabetes. Nonetheless, it may not offer a permanent cure for diabetes.
Can dietary interventions replace the prescribed anti-diabetic medications?
No, not exactly. Although a nutritious diet is a vital component of diabetes management, it is often inadequate on its own. A balanced and supervised diet can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight, and prevent diabetes-related complications. However, good diabetes management typically necessitates a multimodal approach, including regular exercise, prescribed medication, and ongoing blood glucose evaluation.
it should be clarified that diet plays a supportive role in the management of diabetes. Insulin therapy is necessary for persons with Type 1 diabetes in addition to dietary management since their bodies are unable to produce insulin. For people with Type 2 diabetes, dietary changes can significantly improve blood sugar control and, in some cases, even completely remove the need for medication. Many individuals still require insulin or oral medications in order to achieve optimal glycemic control
On asking, Dr. Ritesh Bansal the founder and senior consultant diabetologist at Saroj Diabetes & Research Centre in Delhi clarified that although dietary changes may aid in the control of diabetes, they should not be considered an effective substitute for prescription diabetes medications. Dietary intervention could therefore be a helpful complement that reduces the need for high medication doses. Therefore, Sir advises that one should speak with an expert before implementing any dietary adjustments to their treatment regimen.
Above all, it is critical to remember that all medications, even those prescribed to treat diabetes, are specifically designed to address that particular condition. To guarantee their safety and effectiveness, they have also completed a thorough clinical testing procedure.
Can the genetic susceptibility to diabetes be completely stopped by diet?
It is interesting to note that the post suggests that reducing sugar and carbs may even help with a genetic predisposition to diabetes. Therefore, it should be emphasised that while a person’s genetic susceptibility to diabetes cannot entirely be reversed, there are steps they may take to significantly lower their risk and halt the progression of the condition.
Genetics plays a major role in the development of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, making certain individuals more susceptible. However, a significant portion of this inherited risk can be controlled by diet and other environmental factors. A diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and lean proteins can help genetically predisposed people maintain healthy blood sugar levels and might improve insulin sensitivity, which lowers the risk of diabetes.
Reducing some of the risks associated with genetic predisposition requires avoiding refined sugars, processed foods, and unhealthy fats. Although diet cannot change a person’s genetic makeup on its own, it can influence gene expression and metabolic pathways that cause diabetes. Therefore, while a healthy diet cannot totally eradicate the hereditary risk, it can play a significant role in reducing it and even delaying the onset of diabetes.
How does nutritional therapy complement the management of diabetes?
Yes, a nutritious diet is a vital component of the all-encompassing care of diabetes. This medical nutritional therapy keeps you at a healthy weight and keeps problems at bay. Therefore, a well-balanced diet customised for individual needs impacts diabetes management.
The main components of diet management which help stabilise blood sugar levels are:
- Eating a low-glycemic diet,
- Measuring carbohydrates, and
- Controlling portion sizes
Dietary management is essential for those on insulin therapy because it helps prevent hypoglycemia and makes routine blood glucose monitoring smoother. Overall, a strategic professional diet plan continues to be a key component of the all-encompassing care of diabetes.
Is a definitive cure available for diabetes?
No, diabetes presently has no known evidence-based (established) treatment, and claiming otherwise in India is illegal under the Drugs and Magic Remedies of 1954. Please understand that this fact check highlights the limitations of dietary intervention in the management of diabetes without diminishing its relevance. On the other hand, the purpose of this fact check is to safeguard those who are susceptible from falling for medical misinformation that claims there is a dietary cure for diabetes.
We have already refuted claims that functional medicine and a miracle cure might cure diabetes.
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