‘Made him medicine-independent’: Dr Shriram Nene on reversing his father’s diabetes

Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Shriram Nene recently discussed how lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and screen time are causing India to be labeled the diabetes capital of the world. His father, a diabetes patient, experienced remission and became medicine-independent through a strict diet protocol. Nene highlighted the shift from agrarian to industrial lifestyles, where people consume similar carb-heavy diets but lack physical activity and screen time.

Endocrinologist Dr S Ramkumar from Apollo Hospitals clarified that diabetes reversal is possible for mild type 2 diabetes but not for advanced stages requiring insulin. He emphasized the importance of identifying the type of diabetes before attempting reversal, as outcomes differ significantly. For instance, drug-induced diabetes can be managed by stopping the offending drug, while pancreatic diabetes often requires long-term insulin use.

In type 2 diabetes, reversal is possible, especially in early-onset, obese patients committed to lifestyle changes like weight loss, a healthy diet, and regular exercise. Ramkumar stressed that individualized management is crucial, as what works for one patient may not work for another.