Did you know that before being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, your body may have been sounding an alarm for years? This critical stage is called “prediabetes.”

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes refers to a state in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but have not yet reached the diagnostic criteria for diabetes. It is the "gray zone" between health and disease. It typically presents as:

Impaired fasting glucose: fasting blood glucose between 6.1–7.0 mmol/L

Impaired glucose tolerance: 2-hour postprandial blood glucose between 7.8–11.1 mmol/L

In this stage, the body's efficiency in utilizing insulin has begun to decline, and the pancreas must work harder to maintain blood glucose balance.

What signals is your body sending?

Symptoms of prediabetes are often concealed, but careful observation can still reveal signs:

Unusual fatigue, pronounced postprandial drowsiness

Increased thirst, dry skin

Occasional blurred vision

Slower wound healing

Darkened patches of skin may appear on the neck and armpits (acanthosis nigricans)

Global crisis and China's challenges

Global rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes continue to rise, and China faces particularly severe challenges. An increasingly Westernized dietary pattern (high sugar, high fat, highly processed foods) combined with a widespread lack of physical activity is pushing more and more people to the brink of metabolic health collapse.

Traditional lifestyle interventions (dietary control, increased exercise) have been shown to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes, but how to maintain them long-term and how to more effectively reverse early lesions have long been questions explored by the medical community.

New breakthrough: the powerful effects of triple therapy

Recently, a research team from the Endocrinology Department of the Health Management Center at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital (Nankai University First Affiliated Hospital — Tianjin Union Medical Center) reported an encouraging finding.

This 12-month randomized controlled trial, conducted in adults with newly diagnosed obesity (BMI ≥28) prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, compared two regimens:

Standard treatment group: conventional glucose-lowering medication + basic lifestyle counseling

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Intensive treatment group: in addition to medication, three core interventions were added:

High-protein diet (25% protein, 50% carbohydrate, 25% fat)

A daily caloric deficit of approximately 500 kcal

Structured exercise: moderate-intensity aerobic exercise + resistance training

The comparison of results is striking:

Prediabetes reversal rate: intensive group 78.57% vs standard group 7.69%

Type 2 diabetes remission rate (off medication, HbA1c < 6.5%): intensive group 75% vs standard group 16.67%

Weight change: intensive group mean weight loss 19.29 kg, standard group only 1.52 kg

Why so effective?

Significant weight loss: especially reduction of visceral fat and hepatic fat

Improve insulin resistance: increased hepatic and adipose tissue sensitivity to insulin

Anti-inflammatory effects and hormonal regulation: favorable changes in inflammatory markers and adipokines

Muscle preservation: adequate protein + resistance training prevents muscle loss

Seize your reversal window

If you are currently in the prediabetic stage, this study provides a clear pathway:

Step 1: Professional Assessment

Immediately undergo blood glucose, insulin resistance, and body composition testing to understand your exact status.

Step 2: Develop a Personalized Plan

Under physician guidance, consider combining:

Appropriate medical interventions

High-protein diet with a reasonable caloric deficit

Exercise program combining aerobic and strength training

Step 3: Maintain long-term adherence

Studies show patients have good adherence to the protocol and renal function remains stable, indicating it is safe and sustainable.

Prediabetes is not the end point of disease, but a valuable warning and opportunity for change from the body. With scientifically intensified interventions, most people can fully turn back the metabolic clock and return to a healthy trajectory.

The key to reversal is to act early, use scientific combinations, and adhere consistently. From today, listen to your body's signals and seize the golden window for reversal — your health is still firmly in your own hands.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is based on recent clinical studies and is for reference only. Any health intervention should be carried out under the guidance of a professional physician; do not adjust medications or treatment plans on your own.