Expert Urges Diet, Exercise Over Expensive Diabetes Meds

Revolutionary new weight loss medications for diabetes are on the horizon, but a leading expert is urging a return to fundamental lifestyle choices. Dr. Peter Schwarz, president of the International Diabetes Federation, acknowledges the efficacy of new GLP-1 therapies but raises serious concerns about their exorbitant cost. He asserts that these drugs could escalate diabetes care expenses dramatically, rendering them unsustainable from a public health perspective, especially in developing countries.

Dr. Schwarz champions diet and exercise as powerful tools for managing type 2 diabetes, suggesting that significant improvements in physical activity and adopting fasting practices can achieve results comparable to expensive medications. The International Diabetes Federation is set to release guidelines on various fasting styles for diabetes prevention and treatment in April 2027, alongside a new consensus on physical activity. These initiatives aim to empower individuals and communities with accessible strategies for healthier living.

Experts like V. Mohan concur that while novel drug classes offer profound weight loss and metabolic improvements, diet and exercise remain paramount. The World Health Organization also reinforces the necessity of continuing lifestyle modifications alongside any medication. The focus is shifting towards creating culturally adaptable physical activity programs to combat non-communicable diseases, emphasizing that embracing an active lifestyle is key to managing and potentially reversing diabetes.