I suppose I would be the best living proof of Diabetes being helpful.
I (mr kitty) am 32 years old now. Been type 1 diabetic since 17 years old. I weighed and heighted the normal size and shape for a teenage boy. With the introduction of insulin (or death, easy choice!) I slowly gained 5-10 #'s of weight per year. Until I was 266 #'s. I also had the early stages of glaucoma, was taking lipitor, and nearly 200 units per day of Insulin in various forms (Lantus, R, N, 70/30 at times before Lantus was around).
I had a healthy lifestyle, ate reasonably, and didnt fuck anything up.
Then, I tried pot. The doctor said it might help with insulin resistance, but for sure help reduce the glaucoma. I liked it so much I didnt really care at the time if it helped me medicinally, it was just fun.
Never tried it before in my life, I was 28 at the time.
9 months after smoking weed every day, my eating and activity levels remaining identical in every fashion, I now take 52 units of Insulin a day, and went from 266#'s to 175#'s. There's no more medications at all, and my Wii Fit age went from 48 to 26.
My pancreas has been tested every few years since being diagnosed diabetic for any indication that it may be producing insulin. It's never shown any levels of productions from any of their lab tests.
The only change in my life, was pot. Now I cough more, but I laugh harder.