The truth is, there is a lot of information out there on diabetes. Some information is all about taking medications for it. While other information is about trying to manage it holistically. But what are some of the key points you should know to decide how you choose to manage Diabetes and your health?
The Basics Of Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes means your body doesn’t use insulin properly and when this continues over time you have too much sugar in your bloodstream. Long-term high blood sugar can lead to problems with your immune, cardiovascular, and nervous systems.
There are more than 37 million Americans living with diabetes and approximately 90-95% are Type 2 Diabetics. A scary fact is an estimated seven million Americans are unaware they are diabetic and not getting the help they need.
Type 2 Diabetes is sometimes referred to as Adult Onset Diabetes but Type 2 Diabetes can also affect children. There is an increase in childhood obesity leading to an increase in Type 2 Diabetes in younger people.
Chronic & Autoimmune Disorders, Diabetes, & Functional Medicine
In our previous three blogs in this series, we talked about the long-term impact of chronic diseases on your life. We also talked about managing your stress, lifestyle choices, and nutrition related to chronic diseases. We went into great detail talking about the 5 ways to improve your health with chronic digestive diseases, and the impact chronic inflammation and sleep have on autoimmune diseases. Now we will look specifically at diabetes and how functional medicine and lifestyle changes can help you manage it. So let’s start with the cause of it.
What Causes Type 2 Diabetes
In Type 2 Diabetes the pancreas produces insulin, sometimes at higher than normal rates, but the body develops a resistance to insulin. This causes there not to be enough insulin to meet your body’s needs and your blood sugar levels rise until you are considered diabetic.
What Is Putting You At Risk?
There are many risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes including:
- poor diet
- high stress
- being overweight or obese
- having increased belly fat
- inactive lifestyle
- age
- high cholesterol
- pregnancy
- and even ethnicity.
What Is Type 3 Diabetes?
Type 3 is known as “brain diabetes”. This can happen when blood sugar levels have been elevated for long periods of time causing plaques on the brain. This has been closely linked to memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia.
Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Managed Holistically With Functional Medicine?
The answer is YES! Type 2 Diabetes is commonly referred to as a lifestyle disease. By changing your lifestyle with holistic modifications you can see results quickly.
First Look At Your Diet
What foods are you eating? Are you eating out, eating highly processed foods, or eating home-cooked foods?
Move Your Body! Regular Exercise
Exercise can actually lower your blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) says blood sugar can be reduced up to 24 hours after exercise.
Loose Excess Body Weight
We talked about the benefit of reducing blood sugar and improving insulin sensitivity with exercise, but it can also help you lose weight.
Treat Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea happens when you stop breathing during the night. Some signs of sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring
- being tired during the day
- gasping for air while sleeping
- coughing upon waking
So what does sleep apnea have to do with diabetes? Well, it has been associated with insulin resistance.
Drink Water
Choose water over soda pop, energy drinks, and flavored beverages that are high in sugar. You should slowly increase your water intake to 48-60 ounces of water every day.
As your waist size increases so does the likelihood of insulin resistance. The risk of developing insulin resistance increases for women with a waist size of 35 inches or more. While the risk increases for men with a waist size of 40 inches or more.
For Diabetes See A Holistic Functional Medicine Doctor
A functional medicine doctor has extensive training in diet, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications and can guide you toward better health. While working with a holistic functional medicine doctor there is the possibility of reversing Type 2 Diabetes. Taking control of your health is so important for a thriving and long life.
Get Help With Your Diabetes With Functional Medicine In Orland Park, IL
Do you have diabetes and want to take a holistic approach toward having better health? At Anchored in Health we can help you manage or even reverse Type 2 diabetes with functional medicine. Our holistic doctor will guide you with lifestyle modifications that are tailored to your needs. Get started by following these few steps:
- Reach out to us with any questions you have
- Schedule your first appointment for functional medicine
- Start living a healthier lifestyle free from the complications of diabetes
Other Health & Wellness Services Offered in the Chicago Area
Your health matters to us at Anchored in Health. That is why we offer more than functional medicine in Orland Park, IL. In order to provide a well-rounded approach to wellness we also offer thermography, genetic health testing, and chiropractic care. In addition to massage therapy, acupuncture, and the shape reclaimed program. We look forward to guiding you to better health!