Diabetes Management
Tired of using Insulin & taking multiple pills each day to control your blood sugar?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition characterized by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
Glucose is a primary source of energy for the body’s cells, but in individuals with diabetes, the body is unable to properly regulate the amount of glucose in the blood, leading to a buildup of sugar in the bloodstream.
There are three main types of diabetes:
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, accounting for around 90% to 95% of all diabetes cases. It is more common in adults and is often linked to lifestyle factors such as obesity and lack of physical activity. However, the incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing among younger populations due to increasing rates of obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
Type 2 diabetes is a serious chronic condition that can lead to many health complications if left untreated or poorly managed. It is a major cause of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and lower limb amputation.
Therefore, let’s focus more on type 2 diabetes and take preventive measures to reduce the incidence of the disease. This includes promoting healthy lifestyles, such as regular physical activity, healthy diet, and weight management, as well as regular screening for diabetes and early detection of the disease. Effective management of type 2 diabetes requires a multidisciplinary approach that involves the patient, healthcare providers, and community support.
Signs & Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of diabetes conditions can vary widely depending on the specific disorder, but some common signs and symptoms may include:
It should be emphasized that some people with type 2 diabetes may not experience any symptoms, especially in the early stages of the disease. That’s why it’s important to have regular check-ups with your doctor or healthcare provider, especially if you have a family history of diabetes or other risk factors for the disease.
Conventional approach
The conventional approach to managing type 2 diabetes usually involves a combination of medications and regular monitoring.
The most common medications used to treat type 2 diabetes include oral medications such as metformin, sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and SGLT2 inhibitors. Insulin therapy may also be required in some cases. It also recommends people with type 2 diabetes to have regular check-ups to monitor blood sugar levels. This may include regular blood tests, eye exams, and foot exams.
The side effects of medications used to manage type 2 diabetes can vary depending on the medication, the dose, and the individual taking them. Here are some of the possible side effects of the medications mentioned earlier:
Common side effects include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), weight gain, and injection site reactions such as redness, swelling, and itching.
Using these medications over time can lead to more serious concerns, as they can deplete the body of essential nutrients. For example, metformin can decrease levels of folate and vitamin B12 which are essential for regulating homocysteine levels. If homocysteine levels increase, the risk of developing heart disease can rise.
Folate and vitamin B12 are also essential for producing and maturing red blood cells. These cells are formed in the bone marrow and initially are large, but as they mature, they become smaller and smaller. They eventually lose their inside nucleus and take on hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen. Folate and vitamin B12 play a vital role in this maturation process, ensuring that red blood cells can carry oxygen effectively. When these B vitamins are deficient, macrocytic anemia can occur, which means the red blood cells are too large and ineffective at carrying oxygen.
Furthermore, the oxygen sensors in the carotid arteries play a critical role in regulating blood pressure by informing the brain of oxygen levels in the body. If oxygen levels are low due to ineffective red blood cells, blood pressure can increase, leading to medication for hypertension. However, blood pressure medication can also cause B vitamin and electrolyte deficiencies, which can further elevate blood pressure. This situation can lead to a “prescription trap” where multiple medications cause deficiencies that require MORE medication to treat.
It is important to note that medications such as metformin used to manage type 2 diabetes are meant to control blood sugar levels and potentially prevent complications, but not only they don’t cure the condition, taking these medications for an extended period can also have a cumulative negative effect on the body and increase the risk of developing heart disease.
Our approach
Our approach focuses on treating the underlying root causes of chronic diseases, rather than just managing their symptoms.
Type 2 diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder that can have multiple underlying causes, and our approach can be very effective managing and potentially reversing diabetes. We believe that type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management and treatment.
We often use a combination of dietary changes, exercise, stress reduction techniques, and targeted nutrient supplementation to help address the underlying causes of diabetes. We may also use advanced lab testing to identify imbalances in hormones, nutrients, and other factors that may be contributing to the development of diabetes.
Some of our specific approaches to managing diabetes may include:
There is growing evidence that the health of the gut microbiome plays a significant role in the development and management of diabetes. We may recommend dietary changes that focus on increasing fiber and probiotic-rich foods, as well as nutraceuticals and supplements that help support gut health, such as probiotics and prebiotics.
Overall, our approach to diabetes can be very effective in helping to manage and potentially reverse the condition by addressing the underlying root causes of the disease.
We believe that type 2 diabetes in most cases, is completely a reversible disease, and these approaches in combination with some other lifestyle modifications may be enough to control blood sugar levels without the need for medication and dealing with its potential short and long term side effects.
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