The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases conducted a 5-year study on the effectiveness of different treatments for the prevention or delay of Type 2 diabetes. The study concluded that positive lifestyle changes in diet and exercise produced a 58 percent reduction in cases of diabetes. Patients who used Metformin, a medication used to control blood sugar, decreased the instance of diabetes by 31 percent. 

Researchers suggest a diet low in refined sugars and carbohydrates and high in: 

• fiber-rich fruits;
• leafy greens;
• lean meats; and
• healthy fats and oils can help lower weight and improve metabolism and nutrition. 

Daily exercise, as moderate as brisk walking for 30 minutes a day, has shown to be effective at decreasing weight and improving overall health. Doctors suggest a combination of aerobic exercises and resistance training, which has been found to control blood sugar more effectively than either type of exercise alone. 

While there is no single cure for diabetes, it is possible to reverse the onset of Type 2 diabetes by changing diet, exercising more and managing other risk factors. Talk to your doctor about your diabetic risk and develop a plan to keep yourself healthy and fit.