Weight loss and healthy eating is the best way to reduce the risk of, or reverse type 2 diabetes. But what happens when you are making those changes to your diet, but your weight isn’t budging, and your glucose levels are still off the charts?
Well, researchers think they may have found a way to help. Weight-loss surgery, essentially a fast track through the traditional treatment, may be the answer.
Weight Loss Surgery Reduces Diabetes
In a study published by New England Journal of Medicine, researchers reported the benefits of weight loss surgery in place of traditional diabetes medication. They separated participants into three treatment groups: gastric bypass surgery, sleeve gastrectomy, and no surgery.
The participants in the non-surgical group simply followed a medical regimen that would normally be prescribed to diabetes patients.
As could be expected, the group that received either the gastric bypass surgery or the sleeve gastrectomy lost a significant amount of weight. Participants in both of these groups also had much better blood glucose control and lowered cholesterol and blood pressure when compared to the nonsurgical group. Not only are these things good for health, but they are important markers for good health in diabetics. The surgery improved their condition drastically to the point where the majority of the participants no longer needed medication post-surgery.
This is an intense solution to type 2 diabetes, but it is certainly a viable option for those struggling to reverse their condition. While it is not the number one option for people with type 2 diabetes (healthy diet, exercise, and medication should be the first three changes), people who are obese and uncontrolled glycemia may be a good candidate for this surgery. Discuss with your healthcare professional about this treatment.
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US News. URL Link. Accessed March 20, 2017.
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