Quite a lot in my opinion, and a great potential for fraud and confusion.
There’s currently a debate on a message board I frequent about the words “reverse” and “cure”. Some feel that we should go easier on people who use those words because we don’t know the context that they use them. I don’t agree (although I’m not hard on people except the ones I know are writing a SCAM or promoting a questionable agenda) I think that the meaning in which these words are used should be very clearly defined.
It’s currently rampant on the internet about “cure for diabetes” and “reverse diabetes”, page after page of this. You even hear it frequently on TV shows, and even by what I call the “media” doctors. People also frequently post that when their numbers reach a certain level their doctors tell them they are no longer diabetic! 
When your doctor is saying that what can you believe? The sad fact is that many doctor, unless they specialize in diabetes or treat many diabetic patients, know very little about diabetes and are subject to the same myths that the general population is! Even the AMA is on the “delay or reverse” wagon (see my other rant: Pre-diabetes – a Rant! | Lizzy’s Diabetes Lounge. In the last two weeks alone I’ve had two separate people tell me that their doctors said the only hope for controlling their diabetes was gastric bypass surgery(GBS). 
A new report is out that GBS is only effective if a person’s body still produces enough insulin. Many people by the time they are diagnosed have actually had diabetes for at least 5 years and in some cases over a decade. In that time they lose over half or more of their beta-cells (cells that produce insulin.) If you don’t have the cells to produce insulin there’s no way a “cure” can be obtained. Also there’s really no long-term data on the effects of this surgery, so far only about 2 years worth of data exists, not nearly enough to form a true conclusion.
Then there’s the “myth” that losing weight will “cure” or “reverse” diabetes (looking for another smiley with smoke coming out its head.) Of course everybody knows that being overweight causes diabetes 
and losing weight will fix it. Right? Now I’m not saying that losing weight won’t help control diabetes, but I am saying (backed by a lot of both research and simple logic) that weight does not cause diabetes and losing weight does not cure or reverse diabetes! And yet the “war on obesity” continues to shout the mantra that overweight causes diabetes. Well folks if that’s the case then every overweight person must be diabetic, right?
But that’s great news for the snake oil salespeople and any SCAM artist wanting to make a buck off the backs of people desperate for a “cure”. Books, programs, infomercials selling books and supplements, you name it, the possibilities for making money are endless. Billions are spent on these products Here’s the best one I’ve found(don’t forget to click on “Buy Now”): click here.
Okay, forgive me for the Glucobate, couldn’t resist. But you get my point? There is currently no “cure” for diabetes and reversal is only another name for good control! Anyone who tells you differently is most likely trying to SCAM you. This also applies to those who promote a special diet such as 90% carbs or 90% fat or only raw veggies………..the list goes on.
This also reminds me of a story regarding my friend Angie (I’m Paraphrasing her):
Angie got a call from her insurance provider saying that now that her A1C was 4.8 (girl’s an overachiever) she was no longer diabetic and they would no longer cover her supplies.
Angie (being very shy and retiring) told her that in the morning her fasting number was 72 and she was not diabetic.
Then she ate some donuts that she was told were low-carb. Her number was 220 and she was diabetic. So she did an hour a Sumba, and two hours of surfing, then ran 5 miles and she was not diabetic.
But her husband had cooked lunch and insisted it was low-carb and she could eat it. Wrong…..the number was 225 and she was diabetic! So she mowed the 4 acre lawn and ran another 5 miles and she was not diabetic.
But it was close to dinner time, and she didn’t know what she would be after……so…..GEMME THE SUPPLIES OR IT’S WAR!!!! 
She’s going to hurt me when she sees what I said. Hey Ang, I did say I was paraphrasing to make a point. 
So be very careful when you hear the words “cure” or “reverse” regarding diabetes and ask for a full explanation in great detail, don’t settle for less.
Lizzy
© EMO 7/12
Knowledge is Power
When I was diagnosed, close to 11 years ago, I was told “you are diabetic”, given a prescription for some medication, and told to wait for a nurse to come in and give me an insulin shot. When I picked up the prescription I was given a 10-page booklet telling me “All About How to Mange Diabetes”, and sent on my way. That was the extent of my “education”. 
I was told by my OBGYN that I had too much sugar in my urine and was sent for a fasting/ 2hr glucose tolerance test. When my fasting glucose was 252 the glucose tolerance test was cancelled and I was sent to my primary dr. After a finger poke 4 hrs later without having eaten, I had a 132 reading. I was told “Yep, you’re diabetic” and a prescription was emailed to a pharmacy that I do not like. When I asked my dr what that meant and what should I do now she replied, ” Lose 20 pounds and join a line dancing class at the local college. If you have a computer, get on the web and all the info that you need will be right there.” That was it. Ten days later, I had a fasting blood draw and went away without seeing a dr or any info. Next day, I was told by a receptionist over the phone to double my Metformin to twice a day and to also take two meds for high cholesterol. My eyesight has gotten so much worse and the metformin makes my stomache HURT. Not an upset stomache, but pain between my ribs and hips across the front of me. The receptionist said to keep taking the meds and to get used to it. It has been two weeks more and I have still not seen the dr. I have an appointment in another two weeks. I asked to be referred to the hospital diabetes info program. It took a week to get the referral and the hospital said that I cannot be seen until Jan because they scale back during the holidays. Your website is the first REAL info I have found. I am going to get a meter tonight and start testing. I don’t know if I feel awful because of low or high numbers. I really know nothing. Thank you for all of the info. Is your stomache area supposed to HURT from Metformin? I am taking it with low carb food.
Hi Mary,
Unfortunately stories like yours are all to common.
Metformin is a good drug, but many people experience GI issues when they first start it. This usually clears up in time, but if not there is also an extended release version that many people find helpful. Doctors need to learn to start slowly with it and build the dose up gradually to give a person’s body time to adjust. Here’s more info:
http://lizzysdlounge.com/2012/03/14/all-about-metformin/
There is lots of information for newbies here, so keep on reading.
Lizzy
Wow, I didn’t know insurance companies would stop covering supplies if my numbers get too good. Hmm, now it must be time for me to go get one of your Whole Foods brownies and not take all day to eat it…just so my insurance will keep covering. That’s nuts.
Some insurance companies do, not all.
Lizzy
Lizzy…..you absolutely crack me up. Great Post, I’m now waiting for my recent A1c results, I wonder if my insurance company will try to cut me off again.
Had a craving for something sweet a few minutes ago, grabbed a cool crisp dill pickle spear………..yummmmm…..craving gone!
See ya………….Angie
What Sue Said!!
Thank you Lizzy.
I have the same BS over and over. My Problem is stopping the cravings so I can keep my weight off.
Hugs
Norma there’s more to cravings than many people realize. Very often cravings happen when too many carbs are consumed and the numbers spike. Lowering the amount of carbs and by that the numbers very often causes one to lose the cravings. This has been true in my case as well.
People very seldom crave fat or protein, it’s CARBS that people crave, especially sweet carbs.
Lizzy
Spot on! Thankfully my doctor believes in “control” and not “cure”. I have been told if I lose 30 pounds I will most likely be able to stop my meds but I must keep the weight down and eat a nutritionally balanced diet – sounds like control to me!
It’s good that your doctor knows the difference Sue, I wish they all did.
Lizzy
My doctor also believes in controlling and not curing diabetes.
You go Lizzy!!