Diabetes May Be Reversed! Good For CKD Patients!

The latest data shows that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in China is about 12.8%, of which newly diagnosed patients account for about one-third. In traditional understanding, diagnosis of type 2 diabetes means lifelong medication. In addition to financial pressure, "treatment with no end in sight" also adds an invisible psychological burden to patients.

Click on Cistanche for kidney disease

So, once type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, is it irreversible? --The concept of "diabetes remission" is proposed, bringing hope to defeat the disease.

What is type 2 diabetes remission?

Remission of type 2 diabetes means that the patient's blood sugar can still reach the target or normal state after stopping taking anti-diabetic drugs. At present, some expert consensus recommends that the patient's glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) <6.5% after stopping antidiabetic drugs for at least 3 months as the diagnostic criterion for remission of type 2 diabetes.

Possible mechanisms for remission of type 2 diabetes?

Studies have found that most of the pancreatic beta cells in newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes that have lost their function are not in a state of death, but have undergone destruction of islet beta cells under the influence of factors such as hyperglycemia, long-duration of diabetes, insulin resistance, lipotoxicity, and obesity. Dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation (α cells) cause β cells to enter a "sleeping" state. By removing these influencing factors through therapeutic intervention, and on the premise that the patient has not been diagnosed for a long time, it is possible to reawaken the "sleeping pancreatic beta cells" and increase the possibility of diabetes remission (drug discontinuation).

Diabetologia publishes a review: summarizing the latest evidence on "diabetes remission"

Recently, Diabetologia published a review summarizing and analyzing the latest research progress on how patients with type 2 diabetes can more effectively achieve remission, emphasizing that dietary intervention and weight management are important means for remission of type 2 diabetes. The review points out that type 2 diabetes is associated with defective pancreatic β-cell function and excessive ectopic fat accumulation. By significantly losing and maintaining weight, people with type 2 diabetes can expect to achieve remission that lasts from 1 to 5 years.

Weight Loss - Determinant of Type 2 Diabetes Remission and Relapse!

The review emphasized that weight loss and restoration of pancreatic β-cell function are the main determinants of remission of type 2 diabetes. The DiRECT Diabetes Remission "Landmark" trial enrolled a total of 298 patients with type 2 diabetes with a disease duration of up to 6 years. In the first year of the dietary intervention group, the remission rate was 46%, with weight loss being the main driving factor; however, in the second year As the patient regained weight during the year, the remission rate dropped to 36%. Of note, researchers found that in patients who went into remission within 2 years, recovery of beta cell function (based on maximal insulin secretion) was associated with a reduction in ectopic fat in the liver and pancreas. Furthermore, in the randomized trial DIADEM-1 (which included 158 patients with type 2 diabetes with an average disease duration of 21 months), a 10 kg weight loss led to remission in 61% of patients.

Although in the DiRECT trial, the vast majority of patients who lost ≥15 kg achieved diabetes remission within 2 years, a small number (14%) of patients who lost >15 kg did not achieve remission, which may be related to the fact that these patients did not achieve remission. Sufficient weight related. However, this is similar to the proportion of patients who do not achieve remission after bariatric surgery, suggesting that there may be a clinical category of "non-bariatric responsive type 2 diabetes" in which pancreatic beta cell function is compromised by diabetes and related symptoms such as has been lost under the long-term effects of chronic pancreatitis).

In conclusion, the above studies suggest that although substantial weight loss is a major factor in inducing and maintaining remission of type 2 diabetes, having sufficient β-cell reserves that can be reactivated is a prerequisite for achieving diabetes remission.

How do you eat to relieve diabetes?

According to an expert consensus statement issued by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), the dietary strategy for patients with type 2 diabetes should be "plant-first" - the intervention diet should mainly include whole grains, vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, and Seed foods, and the intake of meat (or other animal products), refined foods, ultra-processed foods, and high-fat foods should be avoided or reduced as much as possible.

The expert consensus statement also states that a low-fat, whole-food plant-based (WFPB) dietary pattern has a positive effect on sustained remission of type 2 diabetes. In addition, the Mediterranean diet and the Diet to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet may benefit long-term remission of type 2 diabetes.

Whole Food Plant-Based (WFPB) Diet

The WFPB diet emphasizes "less processed," "plant-based" foods, including grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, excluding meat, dairy, and eggs, and avoids highly refined grain products, added sugars, or artificial sweeteners: flavored foods and foods containing added fat.

Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes plant-based foods, including whole grains, beans, vegetables, fruits, nuts, etc.; moderate intake of fish, eggs, dairy products, poultry, and dairy products; small intake of red meat and its products; The oil should be olive oil, and red wine can be consumed appropriately. The Mediterranean diet is effective in reducing weight in overweight/obese individuals, patients with diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and postpartum women.

DASH diet

The DASH diet emphasizes increasing the intake of vegetables, fruits, skimmed milk, and whole grains, reducing the intake of red meat, fats, refined sugar, and sugary drinks; and eating nuts and beans appropriately. This diet is effective in reducing body weight, BMI, and body fat in overweight/obese individuals.

Other interventions

Combining moderate exercise with the dietary intervention will further facilitate patients in achieving remission.

Summary

Taken together, remission of type 2 diabetes is most likely to occur in patients with shorter disease duration, lower HbA1c levels, and lower need for antidiabetic drugs. Patients with weight regain and insufficient β-cell reserves are more likely to relapse after disease remission and should be concerned. Based on current research, it is recommended that all patients with type 2 diabetes/pre-diabetes should receive effective weight management as early as possible and should set individualized weight loss goals. In terms of dietary pattern selection, the WFPB diet, Mediterranean diet, and DASH diet have a positive effect on the sustained remission of type 2 diabetes.

How Does Cistanche Treat Kidney Disease?

Cistanche is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat various health conditions, including kidney disease. It is derived from the dried stems of Cistanche deserticola, a plant native to the deserts of China and Mongolia. The main active components of cistanche are phenylethanoid glycosides, echinacoside, and acteoside, which have been found to have beneficial effects on kidney health.

Kidney disease, also known as renal disease, refers to a condition in which the kidneys are not functioning properly. This can result in a buildup of waste products and toxins in the body, leading to various symptoms and complications. Cistanche may help treat kidney disease ase through several mechanisms.

Firstly, cistanche has been found to have diuretic properties, meaning it can increase urine production and help eliminate waste products from the body. This can help relieve the burden on the kidneys and prevent the buildup of toxins. By promoting diuresis, cistanche may also help Reduce high blood pressure, a common complication of kidney disease.

Moreover, cistanche has been shown to have antioxidant effects. Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body's antioxidant defenses, plays a key role in the progression of kidney disease. ies help neutralize free radicals and reduce Oxidative stress, thereby protecting the kidneys from damage. The phenylethanoid glycosides found in cistanche have been particularly effective in scavenging free radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

Additionally, cistanche has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is another key factor in the development and progression of kidney disease. Cistanche's anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibit the activation of inflammation mandatory pathways, thus alleviating inflammation in the kidneys.

Furthermore, cistanche has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects. In kidney disease, the immune system can be dysregulated, leading to excessive inflammation and tissue damage. Cistanche helps regulate the immune response by modulating the production and activity of immune cells, such as T cells and macrophages. This immune regulation helps reduce inflammation and prevent further damage to the kidneys.

Moreover, cistanche has been found to improve renal function by promoting the regeneration of renal tubes with cells. Renal tubular epithelial cells play a crucial role in the filtration and reabsorption of waste products and electrolytes. In kidney disease, these cells can be damaged, leading to damaged renal function. Cistanche's ability to promote the regeneration of these cells helps restore proper renal function and improve overall kidney health.

In addition to these direct effects on the kidneys, cistanche has been found to have beneficial effects on other organs and systems in the body. This holistic approach to health is particularly important in kidney disease, as the condition often affects multiple organs and systems. che has been shown to have protective effects on the liver, heart, and blood vessels, which are commonly affected by kidney disease. By promoting the health of these organs, cistanche helps improve overall kidney function and prevent further complications.

In conclusion, cistanche is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat kidney disease. Its active components have diuretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative effects, which help improve renal function and protect the kidneys from further damage. , cistanche has beneficial effects on other organs and systems, making it a holistic approach to treating kidney disease.