Can Diabetes be Treated Naturally?

Diabetes is a devastating diagnosis particularly for people who have a hard time managing their diets, activity level, etc. But for those who went right to the internet, homeopathic, naturopathic, or functional medicine resources, they found that Diabetes management can be relatively simple and effective. In fact, many people may reduce or completely eliminate their diabetes by making diet, exercise, lifestyle, supplement, and nutrition changes. While Diabetes can be a frightening diagnosis, it can also be managed with education and proper care taking the scare out of what would be an otherwise negative prognosis.

As of 2015, 30.3 million people in the United States, or 9.4 percent of the population, had Diabetes. More than 1 in 4 of them didn’t know they had the disease. Diabetes affects 1 in 4 people over the age of 65. About 90-95 percent of cases in adults are type 2 Diabetes. (NIH, 2017)

What is Diabetes for Those Who Don’t Know?

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough—or any—insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells. (NIH, 2017)

Types of Diabetes and Who Gets it

Type 1 Diabetes. If you have type 1 Diabetes, your body does not make insulin. Your immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Type 1 Diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can appear at any age. Type 2 Diabetes. If you have type 2 Diabetes, your body does not make or use insulin well. You can develop type 2 Diabetes at any age, even during childhood. However, this type of Diabetes occurs most often in middle-aged and older people. Type 2 is the most common type of Diabetes. Gestational diabetes. Gestational Diabetes develops in some women when they are pregnant. Most of the time, this type of Diabetes goes away after the baby is born. However, if you’ve had gestational Diabetes, you have a greater chance of developing type 2 Diabetes later in life. Sometimes Diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy is actually type 2 Diabetes. (NIH, 2017)

How is Diabetes Usually Treated Medically?

Depending on what type of Diabetes you have, blood sugar monitoring, insulin and oral medications may play a role in your treatment. Eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and participating in regular activity also are important factors in managing Diabetes.

People with type 1 Diabetes use insulin therapy. With type 2 Diabetes oral or injected medications are prescribed. Some Diabetes medications stimulate your pancreas to produce and release more insulin. Others inhibit the production and release of glucose from your liver, which means you need less insulin to transport sugar into your cells. Still others block the action of stomach or intestinal enzymes that break down carbohydrates or make your tissues more sensitive to insulin. Metformin (Glumetza, Fortamet, others) is generally the first medication prescribed for type 2 Diabetes. In some people who have type 1 Diabetes, a pancreas transplant is an option. (Mayo Clinic, 2010)

What Can I do to Prevent Diabetes?

Healthy lifestyle choices can help you bring your blood sugar level back to normal or at least keep it from rising toward the levels seen in type 2 diabetes. Maintaining a healthy weight through exercise and healthy eating can help. Exercising at least 150 minutes a week and losing about 7% of your body weight may prevent or delay type 2 Diabetes. (Mayo Clinic, 2010)

Cut sugar and refined carbs from your diet. Work out regularly. Choose physical activity that you enjoy, can engage in regularly and feel you can stick with long-term. Drink water as your primary beverage. Eight, eight-ounce glasses per day is recommended but you may need more depending on your size, the weather, etc. Lose weight if you are overweight. Quit smoking. Follow a very low carb diet. Watch portion sizes. Avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Make sure your diet is high in fiber. Take Vitamin D and other herbal and dietary supplements as recommended by your Functional Medicine practitioner. Minimalize processed food intake. Drink coffee or tea in addition to your water intake. (Spritzler, 2017)

How Can I Manage Diabetes Naturally if I am Diagnosed?

Functional Medicine can help patients control or reduce the symptoms and effects of Diabetes naturally. Natural management of diabetes is possible with the help of your Functional Medicine practitioner.

Functional Medicine is a relationship between a patient and their physician looking at more than just the symptoms of a given disorder, discovering the core reasoning for the condition and, what can be done to reduce or alleviate symptoms. This could be through testing to check for other related disorders. Blood and other tests, medical history, review of lifestyle, environmental factors and diet both historically and currently are reviewed before a treatment plan is devised. A discussion of what the patient has experienced or has gone through and how it is affecting their life is discussed. Then, the patient and the doctor develop a treatment plan to possibly include not only therapy but supplementation, diet, and lifestyle changes. This treatment would be in conjunction with any medical treatments the patient is receiving particularly if they are on prescription medications as diet changes may cause fluctuations in blood sugar and medication reduction or elimination may be required as treatment progresses.

Hyperthermic Ozone and Carbonic Acid Treatment/Therapy

HOCATT therapy is a state-of-the-art Ozone therapy using powerful modalities to detox the body, improve circulation and strengthen the immune system. For pain and inflammation, HOCATT increases blood flow, delivers oxygen at the cellular level, decreases blood pressure, serves as an anti-inflammatory, dissolves fat and reduces stress plus much, much more. Up to 600 calories can be burned in one session.

Hyperbaric Therapy Low-pressure Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy increases the amount of oxygen your blood can carry. In the chamber, the air pressure is increased to three times higher than normal air pressure. Oxygen is dissolved into all the body’s fluids, the plasma, the central nervous system fluids, the lymph, and the bone and can be carried to areas where circulation is diminished or blocked. In this way, extra oxygen can reach all damaged tissues and the body can support its own healing process. This includes your brain. Patients report improvements in their general state and overall health and appearance, have increased physical performance, sleep better, and feel more relaxed.

AO Body Scan-Our digital body analyzer helps a patient find out what is going on in their body and works to correct the imbalances. In a simple 15-minute scan, a 24-page report can clearly define areas that can be addressed with the help of the doctor such as food sensitivities, bacterial diseases, bone, muscle and cardiovascular issues, insulin resistance, heavy metals, parasites, vitamin, and mineral deficiencies and much more. Subsequent scans help to correct issues with healthy frequencies.

To learn more call Michigan Health and Wellness for a FREE consultation. Functional Medicine, Functional Neurology, and their relation to the natural and holistic treatment of Diabetes are managed by our clinical director, Dr. Tony Aboudib, DC. Dr. Aboudib attended post-graduate studies at Carrick Institute for graduate studies in clinical neuroscience, American Functional Neurology Institute, Functional Medicine University, Institute of Functional Medicine and Kharrazian Institute for graduate studies. For more information call 231-421-5213 or click here to go to our Contact Us page to schedule a free consultation.

Disclaimer: The information provided in our blog posts is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. While we strive to share knowledge and insights on health-related topics, this content should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or decisions related to your health and well-being.