Real Health with Karl Henry ‘Is Type 2 diabetes reversible?’ - Dr Seán Maher
Sep 25, 2025
Dr. Seán Maher, a specialist registrar in endocrinology and diabetes, dives into the world of diabetes and its rising prevalence in Ireland, with around 300,000 affected. He differentiates between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, discusses the possibility of reversing Type 2 through lifestyle changes, and outlines key symptoms and risk factors. Dr. Maher also shares insights on dietary recommendations, current treatments, and the importance of community education programs for diabetes prevention.
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Ireland Has No National Diabetes Registry
- Ireland lacks a national diabetes registry so exact prevalence is unknown.
- Estimates suggest ~300,000 people have diabetes in Ireland, ~90% type 2 and ~10% type 1.
Different Mechanisms Behind Type 1 And Type 2
- Type 1 is autoimmune with absolute insulin deficiency needing insulin replacement.
- Type 2 is a progressive relative insulin deficiency driven by resistance and pancreatic fatigue.
Use Structured Education Programs
- Refer people with pre-diabetes to the Diabetes Prevention Program for lifestyle education.
- Enrol people with diabetes in structured education programs like Desmond or Discover.