In the last decade, the number of people living with diabetes and pre-diabetes has almost doubled. India alone has 170 million people with prediabetes (90 million) and diabetes (80 million). Advancements in medical technologies have helped make diabetes treatment more personalised and patient-centric, enabling even diabetes reversal. Dr Arbinder Singal shares, "in our own experience, diabetes reversal is the single most crucial aspiration or dream for every person with diabetes. However, at the outset, let me clarify that diabetes reversal is scientifically known as 'diabetes remission'. It is defined clinically as a state of average blood glucose with HbA1c of less than 6.5% without medications for at least 6 months. That being said, not everyone is suitable for reversing their diabetes and achieving a medication-free state. However, there are criteria available that predict the chances of reversing your diabetes."
Dr Arbinder Singal shares four factors predicting higher chances of a reversal of diabetes
- Duration of diabetes: People with diabetes duration less than five years and up to 10 years.
- BMI: People who are overweight with a BMI of over 25
- Medications: People on 1-2 medications have higher chances of reversal when compared to multiple medications.
- Highly motivated: Diabetes reversal is a journey, and it requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Besides a doctor’s prescription and involvement, the three keys to this journey are:
- Precision Nutrition and personalised approach to diet
- Strong motivational support to take on the journey
- Physical fitness support to remain in remission
Digital Therapeutics
While these may be available individually, it's best to have a single platform for multidisciplinary help. Digital therapeutics, a subset of digital health, comes as a solution to the problem with their scientifically proven outcomes. Digital Therapeutics (DTx) are evidence-based therapeutic interventions driven by high-quality software programs to prevent, manage, or treat a medical disorder. DTx solution can be compelling for diabetes reversal. For example, in the Diabefly Reverse DTx program, cutting-edge technology is used, such as Ambulatory Glucose Monitoring (AGM) with flash technology to track patients' blood sugar levels painlessly over 14 days.
- Firstly, these readings enable nutritionists to create a personalised diet plan to keep blood sugar rise to a minimum.
- Secondly, one on one coaching by a clinical psychologist keeps the patient accountable and motivated through the journey.
- Thirdly, a physiotherapist does the video-based fitness assessment and creates a fitness plan to fight insulin resistance, a hallmark of diabetes.
The remote nature of intervention makes DTx an accessible and easy to use tool for diabetes reversal. The future of diabetes will be powered by technology. With the arrival of Digital therapeutics, beating or reversing diabetes is not fiction anymore. It’s a fact.
[The above article has been medically approved by Dr Arbinder Singal, MBBS (Gold Medalist), DNB, M.Ch (AIIMS Gold Medalist), Co-founder & CEO, Fitterfly]
