What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin to function properly, or the body’s cells don’t react to insulin. This is known as insulin resistance.
What causes type 2 diabetes?
For those living with type 2 diabetes, your body breaks down the carbohydrates from your food and turns it into glucose. The pancreas will respond to this by releasing insulin, however because of your body’s insulin resilience, your blood glucose levels will continue to rise.
Subsequently, your body will release more insulin. For those with type 2 diabetes, this may cause the pancreas to overwork meaning your body will makes less insulin, therefore increasing your higher blood glucose levels even more.
NHS Type 2 Path to Remission programme
The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission programme is a joint initiative between NHS England and Diabetes UK available to eligible people in England.
This programme provides a low calorie, total diet replacement treatment for people who are living with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight. Research shows the programme can lead to weight loss, improved blood glucose levels, reduce diabetes medication required and even reverse the type 2 diabetes diagnosis putting it in remission. Individuals who are interested in joining the programme can discuss their individual circumstances with their GP at their next appointment to find out whether it is suitable for them.
Managing type 2 diabetes
With the right care and guidance, the effects of type 2 diabetes and high blood glucose levels can be managed and sometimes even reversed.
The main ways of treating type 2 diabetes is by eating a healthy, balanced diet, doing more exercise and losing weight.
You are more at risk of type 2 diabetes if you are:
- over the age of 40 and are overweight
- are Black African, Caribbean or South Asian
- have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes
- have ever had high blood pressure, a heart attack or stroke
- are a woman who has had polycystic ovaries, gestational diabetes or a baby weighing over 10 pound
Useful resources
Healthy changes start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, drink less alcohol, get active or quit smoking, you have access to lots of free tools and support through Better Health. You can also find simple ways to lift your mood with Every Mind Matters.
- Find information about making healthy choices on the Better Health website (Opens in a new window)
- The Diabetes UK website offers many resources on type 2 diabetes (Opens in a new window)
- Visit the NHS website for detailed information on type 2 diabetes (Opens in a new window)
- The Association of UK dietitians (BDA) website offers nutrition and lifestyle support for people with type 2 diabetes (Opens in a new window)
Essex Diabetic Eye Screening Programme
Visit Essex Diabetic Eye Screening Programme website for details of clinic locations and how to book an appointment (Opens in a new window)
British Nutrition Foundation
BNF are a registered charity that provide evidence-based information on food and nutrition.
On the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) website you can read more about food and nutrition (Opens in a new window)
Essex Wellbeing Service
A free weight management programme for adults which follows NHS guidance and is evidence based.
Focuses on healthy eating, portion control and helping you to be more active.
View weight management programmes on the Essex wellbeing Service website (Opens in a new window)
Healthy Living
Health living is a free, online NHS programme that supports people to live well with Type 2 diabetes.
Register for the Healthy Living programme or find out more about how they can support you on the Healthy Living website (Opens in a new window)
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