A man in Eastcote has managed to cure himself of his diabetes by completely changing his lifestyle.
In January this year, Fritz Dittman started experiencing symptoms of diabetes including extreme thirst and frequently going to the loo.
He would drink a lot of sweet energy drinks with a high sugar content on a daily basis, but was still shocked when he visited his doctor for a blood test in April, to find he had Type 2 diabetes.
The disease can lead to blindness, increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as well as damaging nerves and blood vessels - dramatically increasing the risk of a foot needing to be amputated.
The results of an international study published today (Friday, July 24) suggest that Type 2 diabetes is more common in people who work shifts.
The findings, published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, indicated men and those doing rotating shifts were at highest risk.
It is thought that disruption to the body clock affects waistlines, hormones and sleep - which could increase the risk.
Diabetes UK said shift workers should eat a healthy balanced diet.
Which is exactly what 47-year-old Mr Dittman decided to do.
He was put on two drugs for his diabetes, called Glyclazide and Metformin in April this year, but he wanted to do more to fight the disease.
He changed his diet, took up running and managed to lose weight. When checking his blood sugar levels, he realized they were within a healthy range, and just one month after being prescribed the medicine, he stopped taking it.
"I believe I had an acute attack of diabetes but I cured myself by watching my diet and taking up a more active lifestyle," Mr Dittman said.
"I still check my blood sugar levels everyday just to make sure."
