HOLISTIC HEALTH

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Can Type 2 Diabetes, Pre-Diabetes, and Insulin Resistance be Reversed? YES.

 

By Nancy Russell, M.D.

 

The Diabetes Summit was a national podcast presented recently presented a wealth of information. It was a mission by physicians, naturopathic doctors, and nutritionists to show research and experience with patients across the country is preventing and reversing diabetes mellitus, type 2. 

 

As complications from type 2-diabetes kills one person every 10 seconds in the United States and has the possibility to be prevented and even reversed; it is time to get the word out with some tools to do so. Type 2 Diabetes mellitus, which comprises 90% of people with diabetes usually begins years before it is actually diagnosed. The other types of diabetes, Type 1, autoimmune type with little to no insulin being produced, and Type 1.5 and gestational diabetes will not be discussed but worth mentioning. Women who have blood sugar issues or diabetes with pregnancy are much more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later in life. 

 

Generally, the body is sensitive to insulin and is released when you eat a meal. The amount of insulin released is in proportion to how much sugar and carbohydrates are eaten and keeps your blood sugar in the normal range. When a person continually eats a large amount of sugar, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods, the body has a mechanism to make large amounts of insulin but the body becomes resistant so as to not develop blood sugars that are too low. 

 

Insulin resistance is the first sign of type 2 diabetes and the person’s blood sugar may be completely normal and the hgbA1c is also normal. The hgbA1c or sometimes called, A1c is a blood test that shows an average of the person’s blood sugar over 2-3 months of time. The first test that can diagnose insulin resistance is a fasting blood insulin level, Normal levels are below 25 however ideal levels are 5 or less. 

 

When insulin resistance is left untreated, it leads to pre-diabetes and then Type-2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes is when the fasting blood sugar is 100-126 and Type 2 diabetes is the fasting blood sugar over 126 and an A1c over 5.6. 

 

The natural approach for treatment and prevention of insulin resistance, which can lead to pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes starts with nutrition, weight loss, exercise, and stress management. Holistic and Integrative practitioners also put an emphasis on spiritual health. Many integrative practitioners believe weight loss and optimal health is achieved 75 percent with nutrition and 25 percent with exercise. It is imperative to assess and balance emotional, mental, and spiritual health to achieve the nutrition and exercise goals. 

 

There are several schools of thought of which nutritional program is best. The American Diabetes Association proposes a balanced diet with plenty of carbohydrates at each meal and snack, which can work for some people. Integrative approaches look at at least two other extremes:

 

1. The Paleo Diet or Paleo Mediterranean diet with low carb, high fat, and no sugar which is similar to Dr. David Perlmutter, M.D.’s program in his book, “The Grain Brain”. Another resource is a book by Mark Hyman, “Blood Sugar Solution”.

2. Gabriel Cousens, M.D. writes in his book, “There is a Cure for Diabetes” about raw food nutrition, exercise and spiritual wellness. Great cookbooks and recipes can be found at www.dianesanfillipino.com. Diane is a nutritionist who has written Paleo Cooking book and Mediterranean Paleo Cooking Book. 

 

Taking a look at your whole life and ask God to bring you wisdom and guidance on your journey to optimal health. Listening to your spirit guide you can help make a decision for the right path for each individual. Optimal health is awaiting you; start the journey today.