Many people with type 2 diabetes stop taking their medication within the first year, putting their health at serious risk.
In fact, nearly 40% of newly diagnosed patients quit their treatment too soon.
Now, a team of diabetes experts at UVA Health is offering a fresh approach to help people manage their diabetes in a way that feels easier and more sustainable.
In a new paper, the researchers stress the importance of working with patients to find treatment plans that suit their lifestyle and preferences.
“The best treatment is one that the patient can follow and stick with for the long run,” the authors write.
Dr. Daniel J. Cox, one of the authors and a diabetes expert at the UVA Center for Diabetes Technology, says that success comes when patients are personally involved in their treatment choices.
“Nothing works if it’s not followed,” he explains. “But almost any approach can help if the person sticks with it for life.”
The paper encourages doctors to go beyond traditional medications like Metformin. For example, some patients may benefit from using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). These small devices stick to the skin and show real-time blood sugar levels on a smartphone. New over-the-counter versions are now available, making them more affordable and easier to get.
Another option is GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, such as Ozempic, which have become popular partly because they help people lose weight—a major benefit for blood sugar control.
But medication isn’t the only answer. Dr. Cox developed a lifestyle program called GEM (Glucose Everyday Matters). This approach helps people avoid blood-sugar spikes by making smart food choices and getting timely exercise. It’s designed to be “less demanding” than other programs, and it’s already shown great results: in one study, two-thirds of participants put their diabetes into remission using GEM. Cox himself has kept his diabetes in remission for 15 years using the program.
GEM isn’t just about cutting sugar and carbs. It teaches people how different foods affect their blood sugar, and it encourages small changes like “sitting less and stepping more.” The goal is to build a routine that promotes better overall health and energy while also reducing the risk of other long-term diseases.
Dr. Cox is currently running a large clinical trial with people who were diagnosed with diabetes in the past two years, testing how well the GEM approach works.
This research shows that with the right tools, support, and lifestyle changes, people with diabetes can take control—and even put the disease into remission.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about high vitamin D level linked to lower dementia risk in diabetes, and this eating habit could help reduce risk of type 2 diabetes.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about unhealthy plant-based diets linked to metabolic syndrome, and results showing Paleo diet plus exercise could boost heart health in people with diabetes
Source: University of Virginia.
