Over 11% of India’s population has diabetes, and an additional 15% of the population classified as pre-diabetic. This means more than 1 in 4 people in our country either has diabetes or about to be diabetic, making India the diabetes capital of the world. Our diabetes-prone genetics & sedentary lifestyle are the prominent reasons for making us one of the most diabetic nations on the planet.
Now the questions are: should a person with this metabolic disease focus on reversing the condition or seek ways to manage it efficiently? Can diabetes be really reversed? What is the actual truth behind all the companies offering diabetes reversal programs? Let’s find out the answers to all these crucial questions in this write-up!
Table of Contents
Can Diabetes be Reversed?
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) states that use of the term “Diabetes Reversal” is utterly misleading because it implies that a diabetic person can return their blood sugar levels to normal permanently, which is not true. Therefore, it’s advisable for companies to use terms like diabetes remission or management instead of “reversal,” as DIABETES CANNOT BE REVERSED! Yes, you read that right! Once diagnosed with this metabolic condition, there’s no cure.
However, a diabetic person can live a normal life by avoiding carbohydrates, taking medicines on time, increasing protein intake, and making some necessary lifestyle changes, such as doing regular workouts.
What Does “Diabetes Reversal” Actually Mean?
When a diabetic person manages to maintain his blood sugar levels at less than 6.5 Hb1Ac for at least 3 months or more without the need for medication, it’s called diabetes remission or management. However, many companies interchangeably use this term with diabetes reversal, which is completely misleading. It clearly doesn’t mean getting rid of diabetes, but managing it in the long run without the need for drugs.
Truth Behind Diabetes Reversal Programs
Many companies are out there offering diabetes reversal programs, intending to mislead people to sign up for the same. They claim to bring your sugar levels back to normal permanently, but they know the reality that they can’t. We have had heart-to-heart conversations with many diabetic patients who have signed up for these so-called diabetes reversal programs, and believe us, most of them had a traumatic experience. If you don’t trust, consider visiting Mouthshut.com and read the reviews of the people who were a part of such a program.
Remember, when someone says that they can cure your diabetes, it’s a big Red Flag. These people or companies use various deceptive tactics to make vulnerable diabetic patients believe their false promises. They may even try to astonish you by showing their newly developed glucose monitoring gadgets and other expensive but fundamentally useless technologies. They also wave thousands of fake testimonials in your face to entice you. But, no matter what, you should not fall prey to their false claims. These tools are nothing but instruments to lure you to sign up for their expensive but useless diabetes reversal programs and give away your hard-earned money.
How Does This Scam Work?
Throwing the Bait
Almost all of these businesses follow the same modus operandi. First, they ask you to attend their webinar where you find two or more people doing big talks, claiming falsely, & making absurd promises. They may even present themselves as the experts of the disease, but in reality, they are just salespeople.
Now, they will introduce you to very expensive and so-called advanced technologies that are ultimately useless. They will say that if you sign up for the program, you will get free access to those devices, mobile apps, and other tools.
They will also promise you to provide one-on-one doctor consultation & personalised diet plans from an experienced dietitian.
Next, they will show you fake testimonials and claim that they have cured thousands of diabetic patients.
Creating a Sense of Urgency
By the time they might have already convinced you with their too good to be true promises, and if that’s not the case, they will start to create a sense of urgency to pressure you into making a decision.
They will tell you that the first 20 or 30 people who sign up for the program right away will get huge discounts. Wait! They will also display a 20 minute timer on the screen along with the payment method so that you start to feel that you are running out of time.
That’s not all. These businesses also place 5-6 of their own people in the webinar amongst attendees to further build peer pressure. These employees start texting that they have made the payment for the program immediately after the timer starts. It makes you feel that the seats are being filled while the clock is ticking fast, and if you don’t make the payment right now, you will miss the opportunity.
These so-called diabetes reversal program offering companies don’t even give you time to process what’s going on. And many people fall prey to these fraudulent tactics.
It’s Not Over Yet
Suppose, you attended their diabetes reversal webinar and still did not sign up for the program. Now, you might be thinking that it’s over now, but it’s not. These businesses will start spamming your What’sApp and keep calling you on a regular basis to convince you to sign up for the program. They will ask you to book an appointment & keep texting you with webinar links.
The Diabetes Reversal Scam Takes Shape Now
Suppose, they convince you to sign up for their program, you must be very excited & hopeful now. The company sends you a Glucose Monitoring Device & provides you with the access to their apps or other tools. You will also have your first session with your doctor, fitness expert, & dietitian who will analyse how severe your diabetes is and then provide you with right advice.
Till now, everything seems just perfect, you are very happy and optimistic, but suddenly you notice that your glucose monitoring device stops working. You contact the customer support hoping to get the resolution, but they inform you that this device lasts for 15 days only. If you want to keep your glucose levels monitored, you need to buy another device & pay a hefty amount.
Don’t be shocked that soon! It’s just the beginning. Soon you will find it difficult to reach out to the doctor that the company promised you to provide for the consultation. And even if you somehow manage to book an appointment, the doctor will barely pay attention to you. They seem busy as if they were handling multiple people at the same time.
These companies hire doctors on a contract basis and pay them around INR 350 to 400 per consultation. So, expecting that they will listen to you & provide the right advice is the last thing you should do.
Similarly, you will notice your dietitian keeps telling you to follow the same diet plan, and even after following everything they say, your sugar levels start to rise. Realising that you have wasted your money, the frustration & anger take over your mind, making your condition worse.
What a Diabetic Person Should Do
Now, you must be wondering what you should be doing? Simple, always listen to your doctor! Remember, no one can bring your sugar levels back to normal within 15 days or a month or two. Diabetes management is a lifelong process and takes time. So no matter how much anyone tries to convince you that your diabetes can be reversed, you must not listen to them.
Many studies have been conducted on diabetes globally and all of them suggest one thing: Diabetes is incurable (irreversible). If you still don’t believe it, here’s an article published by Diabetes UK.
Why is the Government Not Doing Anything About It?
Now, you must be wondering if these scams are happening on such a large scale, why is the government not doing anything about it? Well, the law enforcement in India has always been questionable for various reasons. Corruption, limited resources, and lack of awareness among people hinder the ability to tackle frauds. This allows fraudulent activities to continue under the radar, exploiting loopholes & targeting vulnerable people.
What Does the Government Need to Do?
The government needs to reform their laws, especially when it comes to healthcare. They also need to pass orders to these companies not to use misleading terms like “Diabetes Reversal.” They must take action against companies that are not operating ethically and keeping things non-transparent or ambiguous.
Can We Do Anything About Diabetes Reversal Scams?
People & organisations with fraudulent intent often believe that they can scam innocents & easily get away with it. To change this, we need to stay informed & vigilant. We must spread awareness & keep raising our voices.
Final Words
Diabetes is responsible for 11.3% of deaths globally, which can be reduced if we add some extra steps to our lifestyle and be conscious about our food choices. Although diabetes can’t be reversed, making dietary changes and doing regular workout along with following the doctor’s advice can help you effectively manage this metabolic condition in the long run.
Remember, knowledge is power! Developing more information about diabetes & how blood sugar levels fluctuate in the human body can enormously help you manage it effectively. So, utilise your spare time to read books about diabetes, listen to diabetologists, and keep yourself updated on the latest scientific discovery. This will allow you to actively participate in your treatment plan, identify potential warning signs, and adequately adjust your lifestyle.
Keep in mind, no magical solution like diabetes reversal exists. So, please be mindful of it.
Stay Smart, Stay Healthy!
