Can China Cure Type 2 Diabetes?

At the Diabetes Center of Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai, I (Note: The author is a doctoral candidate at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the U.S., visiting China for research on metabolic diseases) first met Mark, a 52-year-old Caucasian engineer diagnosed with type 2 diabetes eight years prior in the United States. Holding his latest HbA1c report (5.2%), he couldn't hide his excitement: “In the U.S., doctors said I'd need insulin for life. But here, after three months of TCM treatment and lifestyle adjustments, my blood sugar stabilized and my medication dosage dropped by two-thirds.”

Mark's case is not unique. Over the past two years, while participating in the “China Diabetes Comprehensive Management Model” research project, I encountered nearly a hundred foreign diabetes patients undergoing treatment in China. Some came out of curiosity about TCM, while others sought new possibilities due to limited results from conventional Western treatments. These real-life experiences, combined with observations of China's diabetes prevention and treatment landscape, prompted me to reconsider: In an era where “curing” type 2 diabetes remains a medical challenge, is China forging a unique path?

I. Redefining “Cure”: From “Lifelong Disease” to “Long-Term Remission”

First, it must be clarified that within the modern medical context, “curing” type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remains without a strict definition. Authoritative bodies like the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and The Lancet recognize T2DM as a chronic metabolic disorder centered on insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction, which cannot be “completely eradicated” through any single intervention. However, in recent years, the concept of “long-term remission” has gained prominence, defined as sustained normal blood glucose levels for at least three months without medication.

China's breakthroughs in this field may stem from more proactive practices toward achieving remission. The 2021 Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes first designated “weight reduction” as a key intervention target, explicitly stating that weight loss exceeding 15% can lead to clinical remission in some patients. This aligns with the Western academic community's recent proposal that “metabolic surgery can induce remission.” However, China's distinctive approach lies in breaking down this goal into more achievable steps: using non-extreme methods like diet, exercise, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regulation to help more early-stage patients approach “remission.”

II. The Core of the Chinese Approach: The “Holistic View” of Integrating Chinese and Western Medicine

During my observation of Professor Wang, Chief Physician at the Diabetes Department of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine's Shuguang Hospital, I noted his prescriptions included both Western medications like metformin and traditional Chinese herbal formulas such as "Astragalus 30g, 15g Pueraria root, 10g Semen Cuscutae,“ along with detailed lifestyle guidance: ”Add 1 ounce of oats to breakfast, brisk walk for 40 minutes after dinner, massage abdomen for 5 minutes before bed."

This model—combining Western medicine for target control, Chinese medicine for fundamental regulation, and lifestyle intervention—represents the quintessential Chinese approach to diabetes management. Professor Wang explains: “Western medicine excels at rapid blood sugar control, but long-term medication may damage the liver and kidneys. Traditional Chinese medicine improves metabolic homeostasis by tonifying qi, nourishing yin, and promoting blood circulation to unblock meridians. For instance, Astragalus enhances insulin sensitivity, while Pueraria root regulates gut microbiota—all validated by modern pharmacology.”

More notably, China is now “decoding” traditional Chinese medicine through evidence-based approaches. For instance, the multicenter study “Jinlida Granules Intervention in Type 2 Diabetes,” led by the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, enrolled 1,920 patients. Results showed that combining Jinlida with metformin reduced glycated hemoglobin by an additional 0.6% and alleviated symptoms like fatigue and thirst. Such research elevates TCM beyond anecdotal evidence, establishing it as an internationally recognized adjunctive therapy.

III. Real Experiences of Foreign Patients: From Skepticism to Trust

Mark's transformation is quite representative. Before coming to China, he followed the “standard treatment” in the United States: daily insulin injections and strict dietary control. Yet his blood sugar remained unstable, and he developed mild neuropathy. “Doctors said it was ‘irreversible damage,’” Mark recounted. Yet during his treatment in Shanghai, physicians did not rush to adjust his insulin dosage. Instead, they first conducted a gut microbiome test, revealing an imbalance in his Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (linked to insulin resistance). They prescribed a Chinese herbal formula to regulate his gut flora and recommended daily consumption of fermented soy products like natto. “Two months later, my insulin dose dropped from 28 units to 12 units, and the numbness in my hands and feet eased.”

Another patient, Lisa from Australia, was deeply impressed by the TCM concept of “preventing disease before it occurs.” When diagnosed with T2DM, her HbA1c was 7.8% and she hadn't started medication yet. Instead of prescribing Western drugs immediately, her doctor enrolled her in the hospital's “Pre-Diabetes Intervention Camp”: learning the Ba Duan Jin exercises, consuming customized medicinal meals (like Chinese yams and poria porridge), and tracking daily steps. “After three months, my blood sugar returned to 6.1%, and the doctor said I didn't need medication for now,” Lisa shared. “This is completely different from the ‘wait until blood sugar rises before taking medication’ approach in Australia—they focus more on ‘preventing disease from occurring’ rather than ‘controlling it after it happens.’”

IV. Controversy and Challenges: The Science and Limitations Behind “Cure”

Of course, China's approach faces skepticism. Some Western medical professionals argue that so-called “remission” may only apply to early-stage, obese patients. For those with long-term disease and severe beta-cell damage, no curative treatment currently exists. Additionally, the complex composition and long-term safety of Chinese herbal medicine require further large-scale studies.

However, in the view of Chinese experts I've engaged with, this precisely embodies the wisdom of “tiered management”: for early-stage patients, achieving remission through enhanced lifestyle interventions combined with TCM regulation; for mid-to-late-stage patients, using integrated Chinese and Western medicine to delay complications and improve quality of life. As Professor Zhu Dalong, Chair of the Diabetes Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, stated: “Our goal is not to ‘eradicate diabetes,’ but to enable more people to ‘coexist peacefully with diabetes.’”

Conclusion: China's Lessons for the World

Before leaving China, Mark messaged me: “I'll bring these insights back to the U.S. and recommend my endocrinologists explore integrated approaches.” His words made me realize that China's diabetes management journey holds significance beyond mere “cureability”—it offers a more humanistic, holistic medical perspective: viewing disease not as isolated metric abnormalities, but as outcomes of metabolic network imbalances; rather than relying on a single technology, it integrates medication, diet, exercise, psychology, and even cultural traditions to tailor solutions for patients.

Can Type 2 diabetes be “cured”? The answer may remain inconclusive for now. Yet China is demonstrating through practice that in the convergence of modern medicine and traditional wisdom, we can ignite greater hope for diabetes patients worldwide.

Document dated 2025-11-14 10:53 Modify