Myth #1: “Type 2 Diabetes Is a Life Sentence” – What You Haven’t Been Told

Marsha Guptill
Jun 24
3 min read

Updated: Jul 2

If you’ve been told that a diagnosis of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes means you’re stuck with it for life, you’re not alone. This myth is incredibly common—and incredibly disempowering. But here’s the truth: in many cases, type 2 diabetes can be reversed or put into remission through sustainable lifestyle changes. Yes, even if you’ve had it for years.

Let’s break this myth wide open.

The Myth:

“Once you have type 2 diabetes, it only gets worse.”

Many people are told that diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease. The message? You’ll eventually need medications, then insulin, and complications like heart disease, kidney failure, or nerve damage are just a matter of time.

But that story leaves out something critical: the power of your everyday choices—what you eat, how you move, how you sleep, and how you manage stress.

The Truth:

Type 2 diabetes doesn’t have to be permanent.

With the right approach, many people can:

Lower their A1C to non-diabetic levels
Get off medications or reduce their dose
Prevent the progression from prediabetes to diabetes
And, in many cases, put type 2 diabetes into remission

This is especially true for those in the early stages—like those with prediabetes—but it’s not limited to them. People with diabetes for years have also seen dramatic improvement through intentional lifestyle changes.

What the Science Says:

Research backs this up:

💡 Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)*

A major U.S. study found that people with prediabetes who made modest lifestyle changes — including losing just 7% of their body weight and walking 30 minutes a day — cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%. In fact, the lifestyle approach worked better than medication.

💡 DIRECT Study (UK Diabetes Remission Trial)**

This groundbreaking UK study showed that nearly half of people with type 2 diabetes who followed a structured weight loss and lifestyle program were able to put their diabetes into remission within a year — meaning normal blood sugar levels without the need for diabetes medication.

💡 Look AHEAD Study***

In this long-term trial with over 5,000 people who already had type 2 diabetes, those who focused on lifestyle changes like healthier eating and regular exercise saw significant improvements in blood sugar levels and weight, and some even achieved partial or full remission.

As you can see, lifestyle modifications have shown powerful effects in reducing insulin resistance and improving blood sugar control.

What This Means for You:

If today’s post has you rethinking what’s possible with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure this out on your own, either.

I’ve put together a complementary, easy-to-understand resource:

👉 “The Ultimate Guide to Prevention and Reversal of Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.”

Inside, you’ll find: