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January 28, 2011

When diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at 39, Jonathan Legg of Bethesda, MD was shocked, reports CNN.

"I had always been pretty active," said Legg. "But it was a big wake-up call, that what I was doing and my current weight were not OK."

In the two years since his diagnosis, the Morgan Stanley executive decided to make lifestyle changes and prove that he could reverse his diabetes. Instead of taking the doctor recommended medications, Legg began to exercise every day and changed his diet by cutting out alcohol and fatty foods.

"I wanted to be able to know the changes I was making were making a difference, and it wasn't the drug," said Legg.

According to new statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25.8 million people, or 8.3 percent of the U.S. population, are affected by either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Most, like Legg, have type 2 diabetes, which usually develops later in life. Type 2 diabetes which is caused primarily by genetic makeup, a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits can be reversed in some cases. Many type 2 diabetics who make changes to their lives such as incorporating exercise and improving their diets can get their glucose and sugar levels back within a normal range.

"We have seen numerous people reverse their condition," says Dr. Michelle Magee, director of the MedStar Diabetes Institute in Washington to CNN. "But it takes a real dedication for the rest of their lives," she notes.

Diabetes is caused when there is too much glucose or sugar in the body. The body processes sugar so it can enter our cells and provide us with energy, but glucose cannot provide energy without insulin which is a hormone produced by the pancreas.

When you have diabetes, your body isn't making any or is not making enough insulin or the insulin that is being produced can't be used properly. Therefore, too much sugar remains in the blood which eventually causes major problems.

Type 1 diabetes was once known as juvenile diabetes because it is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. About 5 to 10 percent of all people with diabetes have this type, which is not reversible because the person's pancreas is not producing insulin at all.

The vast majority of people have type 2 diabetes. For these diabetics, their body can't process insulin correctly. Although genetics plays a part, obesity is a major reason people develop type 2 diabetes, reports the source.

"We know that excess body weight adversely affects every organ system in the body," says Dr. Gary Foster, director of Temple University's Center for Obesity Research and Education in Philadelphia to CNN. "So it shouldn't be surprising that as obesity increases, as it has over the past 30 years, that medical conditions, especially conditions like type 2 diabetes, will also increase."

People who carry excess weight especially around their midsections are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. If these people can eliminate that fat by exercising and limiting carbohydrates and alcohol, then many can drop their glucose levels and for some return to a normal and healthy range.

Prediabetics which include 79 million Americans according to the CDC can also take action to reduce their risk. Normal glucose levels are below 100 if the person has not eaten anything. Prediabetics experience glucose levels between 100 and 125 while fasting and those with diabetes have levels above 125.

"Once you fall into that glucose range, you are considered at high risk for developing the condition again," says Magee.

"That's why we are working on a program right now that goes into the community and reaches those who are at risk of being prediabetic or diabetic," Magee said. "The results have been so positive, the CDC is looking at the program as a possible protocol for other hospitals to follow."

After two years of lifestyle changes, Jonathan Legg's numbers are no longer in the diabetic range. He also lost 40 pounds and watches everything he eats.

"I educated myself, I read the labels," said Legg. "I enjoy what I eat. I met with nutritionists, and they helped me build a game plan."

Legg's physician, Dr. Lucy McBride says that Legg's not just on a diet but has changed how he always eats.

"He cut out significant amounts of sugar and carbs in his diet, really changed how he ate," says McBride. "He's increased fiber, increased protein, cut back on alcohol, which is really sugar."

McBride still told Legg that he has to stick with his improvements.

"I told him, encouraged as I was, and proud and pleased [but] he's got to keep up those lifestyle habits for things to stay in the right direction," McBride said. "Without exercise, without diet and without weight control, the diabetes will come back. It's something he will need to manage his whole life."

Legg is ready for the challenge.

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