On December 12, 2017, I watch an episode of Black-ish on ABC, written by Kenya Barris. Dre, played by Anthony Anderson, developed type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM) . His wife, Rainbow, played by Tracee Ellis Ross said on the show that DM cannot be reversed. That is not a true statement. Not all DM can be reversed but some types of DM can be reversed. The show is typically watched by 5+ million people in the U.S. each week and I feel it is a disservice to their viewers and especially to the black community to make such a general statement. It is true that DM is more prevalent in American Black population than in the White population and it is true that type I DM cannot be reversed because the pancreas is no longer working to produce insulin but studies have shown that type II diabetes is able to be reversed in many cases with a whole food plant-based diet.
The character developed his DM in middle age as compared to type I DM which usually develops at a very young age caused by an autoimmune disease that destroys cells in your pancreas and is also known as juvenile diabetes because of its early onset.
On the show the character did try to reverse his diabetes through fasting/detoxing which is dangerous and can cause low blood sugars, lightheadness , fatigue and fainting.
Most type II DM develops from our lifestyle choices, usually a high fat, high processed foods,, and high animal protein diet. It is also usually due to insulin resistance where the body’s cells are not working
properly and they don’t allow the insulin to get into the cells to work. There is also the type of DM where your pancreas is making very little insulin in which case some medication may be needed.
Dr. Neil Barnard, Dr. Michael Klaper, Dr. Alan Goldhamer, and Dr. Michael Greger are just some of the lifestyle medicine doctors who have helped people reverse their Type Ii DM through a whole foods plant-based diet. I, myself know people this kind of diet has helped. My brother has reduced his pain from diabetic peripheral neuropathy in his feet. A friend who has been a type 1 diabetic since a very young age was able to reduce her insulin usage to half of what she normally used. It can even help to prevent DM. In the Diabetes Prevention Program randomized clinical trial DM incidents in high-risk patients was reduced by 58% on a lifestyle intervention compared to 38% on Metformin, compared to placebo. Lifestyle trumped medicine!!!
I would suggest reading Dr. Neil Barnard’s book, Neil Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes, watching the documentaries Forks over Knives, Food Choices and What the Health.
I wish they would do a show about the benefits of eating a whole food plant-based vegan diet for our health, the health of the planet and the animals. Now that would be a show to watch!!!
If you would like to learn more please visit the PCRM website below which has a TED talk by Dr. Neil Barnard regarding diabetes.
http://www.pcrm.org/media/experts/neal-barnard-diabetes-book and listen to Dr. Neil Barnard’s new podcast on ITunes called The Exam Room. The episode New Year, New You, New Vegan talks about Type II diabetes and that sometimes if caught early can be reversed and if not reversed and help reduce the complications of diabetes such as nerve pain, eye problems etc.
Lori Ireland is a recent graduate from the Main Street Vegan Academy in November 2017. She has done public speaking for garden clubs, church groups, and has taught plant-based nutrition classes for Adult Education. She created the website www.plantsarebest.com with her sister-in-law Ava Oliver and wants to continue to teach others the benefits of a plant-based vegan lifestyle. You can follow her on Facebook at Plantsarebest and on Instagram at Plantsarebest1.
I had a red flag come up with that same statement that Type 2 Diabetes can’t be reversed. I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes as I changed my diet from lacto-ova vegetarian to a vegan diet, my A1C reports became normal and I ahve been off medication for over 6 years now.