Research shows that a 10 to 15 percent reduction in body weight can lead to T2D remission in most people with recently diagnosed disease. “We have now recognized that meaningful weight loss can do more than just improve glucose numbers,” Dr. Chalisa says. “In some people, it can actually modify the course of disease.”
Excess fat in three key places — the liver, pancreas, and around abdominal organs — is associated with T2D.
Visceral fat (found around your organs) is an important source of inflammatory molecules, which drives the development of insulin resistance and diabetes.
Too much fat in your liver can contribute to the accumulation of fat in your pancreas, which disrupts beta cells (insulin-producing cells) and impairs insulin production. Removing that excess fat through weight loss can allow the beta cell function to recover if it’s done soon enough — which underscores why early intervention is important.
That doesn’t just apply if you’re overweight. One small study of 20 participants with an average BMI of 25 (on the threshold of “normal” and “overweight”) found that 70 percent achieved T2D remission by going on a structured, low-calorie diet program and losing about 10 percent of their body weight.
Researchers attribute that to a reduction in liver and pancreas fat. But it’s important to note that it can be unhealthy to try to lose weight if your weight is considered normal, and you definitely should not do so if you’re already underweight. Your doctor can advise you on how your specific weight relates to your diabetes.
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