There are 1.7 million Nigerians with diabetes type 1 and type 2, according to the International Diabetes Federation. That figure is about the same as the population of Bayelsa State.

The life of a man or woman with type 2 diabetes in Nigeria is one regular visit to doctors, tests and expensive medication taking either as tablets or injections. It is a life fraught with financial, physical and emotional stress. But there is emerging evidence that this does not have to be so. Research in the past couple of years points conclusively to the fact that type 2 diabetes can be reversed.

Roy Taylor wrote in the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Care Journal that: “Type 2 diabetes has long been regarded as inevitably progressive, requiring increasing numbers of oral hypoglycemic agents [diabetic medication that lowers blood glucose levels] and eventually insulin, but it is now certain that the disease process can be halted with restoration of normal carbohydrate and fat metabolism.”

The diagnostic criteria for a diabetic, as stated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is a blood glucose level of 6.5 per cent and higher. Hence, adults diagnosed as belonging to this group, once they are able to get their blood glucose levels below six per cent or 42 mmol/mol over a specific and discernible period of time, whilst not taking medication, can be said to have reversed their diabetes or can be classified as having put diabetes in remission.

So, how exactly can an adult with elevated blood glucose levels reverse this condition?

Experts have recently argued that the answer lies in a new understanding based on extensive research findings on just how diabetes type 2 is caused. The new argument of leading endocrinologists is simply that diabetes is a problem of FAT. Not just physical fat because, as we know, thin people with a body mass index (BMI) less than 18.5 per cent can also have diabetes. This new understanding of FAT focuses on fat in the liver. When there is too much liver fat due to excess calories or one’s propensity to store fat around organs, the liver responds to insulin poorly by producing too much glucose. But the problem does not stop there. As too much liver fat passes onto the pancreas, it causes insulin-producing cells to fail.

New research findings from leading endocrinologists recommended weight loss as the key strategy for reducing liver fat. Research shows that “losing less than one gramme of fat from the pancreas through diet can restart the normal production of insulin, reversing type 2 diabetes [and] this reversal of diabetes remains possible for at least 10 years after the onset of the condition”. The guidance for recommended weight loss, as identified by a study is 15kg or 10 per cent of a person’s body weight. In doing this, experts argue that fat is reduced from the liver and pancreas thus returning their normal function and thus normal insulin production. Some studies even show “a profound fall in liver fat content resulting in normalisation of hepatic insulin sensitivity within seven days of starting a very low-calorie diet in people with type 2 diabetes.” Mr Taylor, a professor, argues that if you lose weight and keep the weight off in the future, you will, in fact, be rid of diabetes. Low-calorie diets, alternative day routine fasting, low carbohydrate diets or simply, diet and exercise are all recommended for fighting fat and type 2 diabetes.

Why so many have not tried

So, given this great possibility of reversing diabetes, why are more people not making the recommended lifestyle changes? Why do people still spend millions of Naira to purchase medication and/or experiment with traditional medicine options?

The answer is simple: it is difficult to achieve and maintain reversal.

Another reason is the perception of diabetes as a chronic condition that is degenerative and leading to death. For example, a recent study which explored the psychological aspects of diabetes among adult Nigerians noted their negative perception and lack of commitment to achieving self-management of diabetes. The perception identified was the “fear of dying from hypoglycemia, frustration and a perceived lack of control over the progression of the disease.” Indeed, this correlates with global studies which observe that most diabetics perceive their illness as being “progressive and incurable.” So, while diabetics view their condition as treatable, they perceive it as not curable, thus giving them a feeling of helplessness.