Dr. Jason Fung’s book The Diabetes Code has emerged as one of the most influential and accessible works for understanding type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition that affects millions worldwide. With his experience as a nephrologist and his deep understanding of metabolic health, Fung offers a refreshing, sometimes provocative take on how we view, treat, and ultimately reverse type 2 diabetes. In this article, we’ll explore the core messages of The Diabetes Code and break down some of its most important themes.
Understanding the Root Cause of Type 2 Diabetes
Fung’s central thesis challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding type 2 diabetes. Traditionally, the disease has been framed as a chronic and progressive condition that requires lifelong management through medications and, eventually, insulin. Fung argues that this approach addresses only the symptoms — high blood sugar — without tackling the underlying cause.
According to Fung, type 2 diabetes is fundamentally a disease of insulin resistance. When we consistently consume high amounts of refined carbohydrates and sugars, the body produces more insulin to manage rising blood glucose levels. Over time, cells become resistant to insulin’s effects, prompting the pancreas to produce even more insulin. This vicious cycle leads to worsening insulin resistance and rising blood sugar levels. Fung emphasizes that the key to breaking this cycle lies not in adding more insulin or medications but in lowering insulin levels and addressing the underlying metabolic dysfunction.
The Role of Diet and Fasting
A major part of The Diabetes Code focuses on the power of dietary change and intermittent fasting. Fung argues that type 2 diabetes is not a calorie problem but a hormonal one. Therefore, calorie-restricted diets that focus only on cutting food intake often fail because they don’t address insulin resistance. Instead, Fung encourages eliminating the main drivers of insulin overproduction — particularly sugar, refined grains, and processed foods.
Perhaps most controversially, Fung champions intermittent fasting as an effective tool to reverse type 2 diabetes. Fasting allows insulin levels to fall and gives the body a chance to burn stored fat for energy. Fung explains that periods of fasting — ranging from 16 hours to multiple days, under medical supervision — can be more powerful than constant dieting because they allow the body’s insulin levels to reset. He backs his recommendations with both clinical experience and studies showing that fasting can improve blood glucose control, reduce body fat, and even help patients reduce or eliminate diabetes medications.
Challenging the Pharmaceutical Approach
One of the boldest sections of The Diabetes Code critiques the pharmaceutical industry’s role in diabetes management. Fung argues that the prevailing treatment paradigm — prescribing metformin, sulfonylureas, or insulin to lower blood sugar — has failed to stop the progression of the disease. In fact, many patients on insulin gain weight, worsening insulin resistance and leading to more aggressive treatment over time.
Fung points out that while medications can control blood glucose levels, they do not address the underlying insulin resistance. As a result, patients may achieve target A1C levels but continue to experience the long-term complications of diabetes, such as kidney disease, nerve damage, and cardiovascular events. Fung calls for a shift in focus from blood sugar control to insulin reduction, emphasizing lifestyle interventions over pharmacological solutions.
Empowering Patients to Take Control
One of the most inspiring aspects of The Diabetes Code is Fung’s message of empowerment. Rather than portraying diabetes as an inevitable, progressive disease, he argues that many cases are reversible through diet and lifestyle changes. This reframes diabetes not as a life sentence but as a metabolic disorder that can be corrected by targeting its root causes.
Fung provides readers with practical tools, such as meal plans, fasting protocols, and tips on breaking through weight loss plateaus. He also addresses common fears around fasting, such as concerns about muscle loss, nutrient deficiency, or extreme hunger, offering reassurance and scientific evidence to support his recommendations.
Ultimately, Fung’s message is one of hope. By focusing on the underlying drivers of diabetes, patients can dramatically improve their health and, in many cases, achieve remission without lifelong medications.
In conclusion, The Diabetes Code is a thought-provoking and empowering book that challenges the conventional management of type 2 diabetes. Dr. Jason Fung provides a clear, science-backed roadmap for reversing the disease by addressing insulin
