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I have done a ton of research on diabetes and receive news daily on latest research.  I asked my doctors the same question, and they say that complications are not inevitable.  One of my doctors is insulin resistant.  If you pick up a Diabetes Forecast -- one of the issues had people in there living until 85 years of age.  The closer anyone in the beginning stages can keep their levels to normal, and in the normal A1c range , the much better chance they may not have complications.   My Godfather is a prime example of someone who is over 80, with diabetes since his 40's, and he has no complications.  Of course, he has a great wife that keeps an eye on his meals.  My father was deopressed however, & ate very badly, (nobody to cook for him) and did have fatal complications and substandard medical care, ( he had a language barrier. )  There are many many things your husband can do to become healthier : exercise, get his A1c as close to norm  ( 5 to 6 ) as possible, (next choice close to 7), keep inflammation low, get a CRP test, get a VAP test to test Cholesterol Particle size, etc.   Giving up white flour can help some diabetics.  Eating healthy fats like nuts, and olive oil, taking fish oil.  Check into the GI Index/GI Load, and not overdo foods that spike high.  The truth is if he gets preventive care, and asks questions, **by eating healthier, staying active, he can delay or prevent complications.  Some doctors see the average person give up too soon, and give a glum statement like that.  SO, your husband has to give it an above average effort, and he may like my Godfather, still be healthy into his 80's.   And remember one thing, the most looming threat to diabetics and non-diabetics as we age is heart disease.  So, anything that will help your heart, and keep your blood sugars stable, will help your whole body, and vascular system.   It is too easy for people to just lump all diabetics into one category -- but the truth is some people with diabetes try harder, and educate themselves, and manage better.  One must stay on top of this, and not give up.   And doctors that discourage people -- well, I am not going to go there.  Best of Luck !