Diabetes has become a common diagnosis worldwide, yet the nuances between its types and the possibilities for management and even remission remain less understood. Here at The Noakes Foundation, we delve beyond traditional viewpoints, challenging mainstream science and exploring the powerful potential of lifestyle interventions. In this article, we’ll explore what diabetes is, clarify the distinctions between Type 1, Type 2, and the recently discussed “Type 3” diabetes, and explain how a Low-Carb High-Fat (LCHF) approach might offer hope for remission in certain cases.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a group of chronic conditions characterized by elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels due to the body’s inability to produce or effectively use insulin, a vital hormone produced by the pancreas. Persistent high blood sugar can lead to serious complications, including cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, and kidney failure. While traditional approaches often emphasize medication and blood sugar monitoring, we believe that diet and lifestyle play a central role in managing this disease.

The Different Types of Diabetes

• Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This damage prevents the body from producing insulin, making insulin therapy a lifelong necessity. Type 1 diabetes commonly appears in childhood or early adulthood, and although insulin is essential, diet and lifestyle choices also play an influential role in managing blood glucose levels and enhancing quality of life. An LCHF diet, specifically, can be particularly beneficial for Type 1 diabetics. By reducing carbohydrate intake, the body requires less insulin to manage blood glucose, leading to fewer fluctuations and more stable blood sugar levels. Research and anecdotal evidence alike show that LCHF can support people with Type 1 diabetes in gaining better control over their condition, reducing the risk of hypoglycemic episodes, and ultimately improving their day-to-day well-being. Of course, any significant dietary changes should be made with guidance, particularly in the case of insulin-dependent diabetes, but the evidence around LCHF’s role in creating stability is promising.
• Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for roughly 90% of all diabetes diagnoses, is primarily a lifestyle-driven, chronic condition in which the body either becomes resistant to insulin, or the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin to meet the body’s needs. Type 2 is closely associated with poor diet, physical inactivity, and obesity. While genetic factors can play a role, lifestyle factors have been identified as the driving force behind its onset. Because of this, The Noakes Foundation recognizes that Type 2 diabetes is a largely preventable and reversible condition. Healthy lifestyle changes, including the adoption of an LCHF diet, can help improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood glucose levels.
• Type 3 Diabetes “Type 3 diabetes”, a new term, has emerged more recently based on research linking insulin resistance in the brain to Alzheimer’s disease. The theory posits that Alzheimer’s may be a form of “brain diabetes,” where the brain’s cells are unable to process glucose, leading to a progressive cognitive decline effectively. This concept emphasizes the role of insulin and glucose regulation in neurological health and raises the intriguing question: could dietary interventions that target insulin resistance also help reduce Alzheimer’s risk? While more research is needed, early evidence suggests a promising role of a LCHF lifestyle in maintaining cognitive health.

Challenging the Status Quo: Diabetes and the Potential for Remission

One of the core tenets of The Noakes Foundation is to question conventional nutritional guidelines and explore how dietary choices impact chronic diseases like diabetes. We firmly believe that the conventional wisdom around diabetes management—particularly the notion that Type 2 diabetes is an irreversible, lifelong condition—is flawed. Emerging evidence supports that lifestyle interventions, especially an LCHF approach, can help people manage and potentially reverse Type 2 diabetes. This approach counters the standard high-carb, low-fat dietary recommendations, which can exacerbate blood sugar issues for those with insulin resistance.

An LCHF lifestyle works by reducing the intake of refined carbohydrates, which are quickly broken down into glucose and cause blood sugar spikes. By replacing these carbs with healthy fats and protein, the body can maintain more stable glucose levels and reduce its reliance on insulin. This dietary shift can improve metabolic health, decrease insulin resistance, and lead to weight loss—key factors in the management and potential reversal of Type 2 diabetes.

The Noakes Foundation’s Stance on LCHF for Diabetes Management and Remission

The Noakes Foundation believes that diet is one of the most powerful tools available for managing certain chronic conditions, including diabetes. Our mission is to promote an LCHF lifestyle as a viable strategy for better health outcomes. Research increasingly shows that an LCHF diet can:

• Lower Blood Sugar Levels: By limiting carbohydrates, the body requires less insulin, which leads to more stable blood glucose levels.
• Improve Insulin Sensitivity: Studies show that reducing carbohydrates can improve insulin sensitivity, potentially reversing Type 2 diabetes and enhancing overall metabolic health.
• Reduce Complications: By stabilizing blood sugar, an LCHF approach can minimize the risk of complications associated with uncontrolled diabetes, such as neuropathy, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease
• Support Brain Health: An LCHF diet can potentially benefit cognitive function by reducing insulin resistance and fostering a metabolic environment where the brain can use ketones for energy—an area of ongoing research in understanding Type 3 diabetes.

Our commitment at The Noakes Foundation is to continue researching, educating, and advocating for the power of a low-carbohydrate, high-fat lifestyle. We aim to provide individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their health, challenging outdated dietary dogmas that may no longer serve our understanding of metabolic diseases.

In Closing

Diabetes is a complex, multifaceted disease. Understanding the differences between Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 diabetes allows us to appreciate that while they share some characteristics, their causes and optimal management approaches vary. The Noakes Foundation champions the idea that an LCHF lifestyle has the potential not just to manage diabetes but, in the case of Type 2, potentially to bring it into remission. Our foundation is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of nutritional science, offering hope and a fresh perspective on what is possible through a low-carb, high-fat approach.

In today’s healthcare landscape, medical practitioners, allied healthcare workers, and health coaches are responsible for staying informed on the latest advancements in diabetes management. The Diabetes Reversal training by Nutrition Network is the perfect training to meet this need, providing crucial insights into how diabetes can be better managed through diet and lifestyle. This comprehensive, self-paced training, guided by world-renowned experts, dives deeply into low-carb and ketogenic diets—evidence-based approaches transforming diabetes care. With 10 CPD hours, lifetime access, and a supportive community, this training empowers professionals to apply these life-changing strategies confidently, offering new hope to diabetes patients everywhere. 

Nutrition Network is offering a 75% discount on The Diabetes Reversal Training in support of World Diabetes Day. Visit https://nutrition-network.org/online-training/diabetes-reversal/ and use the coupon WORLDDIABETES75 to get your discounted training.

References

1. Hallberg, S. J., Gershuni, V. M., Hazbun, T. L., & Athinarayanan, S. J. (2019). Reversing Type 2 Diabetes: A narrative review of the evidence. Nutrients, 11(4), 766.
2. Phinney, S. D., & Volek, J. S. (2012). The art and science of low carbohydrate living. Beyond Obesity LLC.
3. Cunnane, S. C., Trushina, E., Morland, C., Prigione, A., Casadesus, G., Andrews, Z. B., … & Kann, O. (2020). Brain energy rescue: An emerging therapeutic concept for neurodegenerative disorders of ageing. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 19(9), 609-633.
4. Feinman, R. D., Pogozelski, W. K., Astrup, A., Bernstein, R. K., Fine, E. J., Westman, E. C., … & Worm, N. (2015). Dietary carbohydrate restriction as the first approach in diabetes management: Critical review and evidence base. Nutrition, 31(1), 1-13.