Natural Medicine Best in Treating Diabetes
Like many diabetics, you give concern to your blood sugar levels knowing that long term derangements put you on the fast track to kidney failure, blindness, chronic skin ulcers, amputations, infections and cardiovascular disease. Most diabetes (type I and type II) rarely achieve consistent, well maintained blood sugars in spite of oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin. If you are diabetic, know that you can achieve tight blood sugar control, preventing the ravishing complications of diabetes with the help of a naturopathic doctor.
The Growing Epidemic
Disorders in blood sugar metabolism affect 34 million Americans; with 18 million having diabetes mellitus and the remaining 16 million having a “pre-diabetic” condition termed metabolic syndrome. Diabetes is becoming increasingly common and is diagnosed in larger numbers of young children. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the US. The most common form of diabetes mellitus is type II comprising 90% of all diabetics. With obesity being the single most important cause of insulin resistance, the hallmark of type II diabetes, the role of medical nutrition, exercise, and weight loss can’t be under estimated.
Laboratory Testing & Monitoring
Unfortunately, many individuals are diabetic or have metabolic syndrome but do not know it. Metabolic syndrome carries an impending risk of diabetes with all of its complications if not recognized and corrected. Risk factors for metabolic syndrome include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides and obesity. We screen for, monitor and diagnose diabetes and metabolic syndrome using conventional fasting and after meal glucose measurements, hemoglobin A1C, kidney function studies and other blood work.
Treatment of Diabetes
Improved blood sugar can be achieved by following a few principles. A whole foods diet favoring healthy proteins like lean meats and eliminating refined carbohydrates is prerequisite for the natural control of blood sugar. Rather than emphasizing oral anti-hyperglycemic agents and insulin we use customized formulations of nutritional supplements and botanical medicines such as Gymnema, Cinnamonium, Galega, bitter melon, alpha-lipoic acid, bilberry and chromium to improve the utilization of blood glucose, increase insulin sensitivity and to decrease oxidative damage to prevent complications of diabetes. Exercise burns fat, improves metabolism and lowers blood sugar and is the best means to improve insulin sensitivity. These measures are proven to control blood sugar in type II diabetics and can lesson or negate the need for medications. Rather than suggesting you simply exercise and improve your diet you will leave with specific instructions on a diet appropriate for controlling blood sugar. You will receive the tools needed to change your diet including detailed nutritional counseling on low glycemic foods, healthy fats and proper proteins.
Rather you are a type I or type II diabetic naturopathic medicine is used to successfully lower your blood sugar, decrease your risk of complications and decrease your reliance on medications. With proper a plan of action, diabetes is most often preventable and reversible. Take control of your health, call our office to schedule an appointment.
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