How Type 2 Diabetes Works
In a small trial reported in October 2026, more than half of younger adults with type 2 diabetes were in remission after 24 weeks of a supervised low-energy diet and exercise programme. To understand what that means, this film explains the condition itself: glucose as the body's fuel, how the pancreas makes insulin and glucagon, the GLUT4 doors that let glucose into cells, insulin resistance and tiring beta cells, the three main types of diabetes, how it is diagnosed, a century of treatment from insulin to metformin, and the evidence on remission. Education only, not medical advice.
When the key stops turning
Sugar, insulin, and what a new trial on remission shows.
Fuel and a key
Glucose is the fuel; insulin is the key.
Islands in the pancreas
Two hormones, two directions.
A key and a door
Insulin unlocks; GLUT4 opens.
When the key fails
One name, several conditions.
A stiff lock
Insulin resistance, and a pancreas working overtime.
Who develops it
Genes, age, surroundings and body all play a part.
A silent condition
Often no symptoms, for years.
Drawing the line
Three blood tests and their thresholds.
A century of treatment
Toronto, 1921–22.
From a meadow flower
The long road to metformin.
Remission
What trials have shown, and one idea about why.
The new trial
Younger adults, 24 weeks.
An open question
Will remission last?
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