A groundbreaking study by the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh has found that people with type 2 diabetes can return to normal blood sugar levels—without the need for medication—for at least three months.
This condition, known as diabetes remission, occurs when a patient maintains an HbA1c level below 6.5% for three months or more without taking any diabetes drugs.
A Shift in How We View Type 2 Diabetes
Traditionally considered a lifelong, irreversible illness, type 2 diabetes has been managed through daily medication, strict diets, and constant monitoring. However, the new DiaRem-1 study, led by Dr. Rama Walia and her team at PGIMER, challenges that belief.
Instead of relying on costly surgeries or extreme diets, the researchers focused on tight glucose control using available medications combined with lifestyle changes to induce remission. Their approach is notable for being both practical and affordable—key factors in a country like India where diabetes is widespread.
What Makes This Approach Different
Unlike some remission studies that emphasize drastic weight loss or expensive medical procedures, the DiaRem-1 model is tailored to be accessible. Patients were guided to control their blood sugar levels effectively using current medications and structured lifestyle interventions such as dietary adjustments and physical activity. Once target blood sugar levels were reached and maintained, medications were gradually stopped under supervision.
The result? Several patients were able to maintain normal blood sugar levels without any medication for at least three months—a milestone that marks true remission.
A Message of Hope
This study offers fresh hope for millions of people living with diabetes. While it doesn’t mean diabetes is “cured,” it opens the door to the possibility that, with the right guidance and sustained effort, some patients can reach a state where their condition no longer requires medication.
PGIMER’s research reinforces a growing global shift in diabetes care—one that focuses not just on managing the disease, but potentially reversing its course.
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