Diabetes: What You Need to Know

34 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, just over 1 in 10, and those numbers continue to rise. Diabetes increases inflammation and can lead to damage anywhere in the body, including the eyes (retinopathy), nerves (neuropathy), and kidneys (nephropathy). Adults with diabetes are 2-4 times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke than those without diabetes. The good news is that type 2 diabetes is largely preventable and even reversible with lifestyle changes.

What is diabetes and how do I know if I have it?

Diabetes refers to elevated blood sugar levels. Your doctor can order blood tests, including a fasting glucose level and a hemoglobin A1C (HA1C) level. If your fasting glucose level is 126 mg/dl or your HA!C level is 6.5% or higher on two separate tests, then you have diabetes. There is also an oral glucose tolerance test, that is used less often. This involves fasting overnight, then drinking a sugary drink at your doctor’s office, and testing blood sugar levels periodically over 2 hours. A reading over 200 mg/dl after 2 hours indicates diabetes. Pre-diabetes is also of concern. If fasting blood sugar is between 100-125, HA1C is 5.7-6.5%, and glucose tolerance test reading is between 140-199 after 2 hours, then you have prediabetes, which is also harmful to health.

Symptoms of diabetes:

• Frequent urination

• Excess thirst

•Increased hunger

• Extreme fatigue

• Blurry vision

• Cuts/sores that are slow to heal

• Frequent infections

• Tingling, pain, or numbness in hands and feet.

It’s important to get blood levels checked because you can have diabetes and be asymptomatic. Many of the symptoms listed above occur from long-term, uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

Treatment:

Management of type 2 diabetes usually includes:

• Weight loss

• Healthy eating

• Regular exercise

• Blood sugar monitoring

• Possibly diabetes medication or insulin therapy

Weight Loss and Diabetes:

Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes and losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can make a big difference. Dietary changes, exercise, and adequate sleep all help to contribute to weight loss goals.

Healthy Eating and Diabetes:

Portion control is often necessary for weight loss. With diabetes, reducing carbohydrates and sugar in the diet is essential. Ditch the sugary drinks and fruit juice. Focus on a diet emphasizing lean protein, non-starchy vegetables, high-fiber foods, and healthy fats.

Exercise and Diabetes:

Physical activity aids in weight loss, improves insulin sensitivity, and blood glucose control. Regular exercise has been shown to help prevent and reverse diabetes.

Medications

There are numerous types of medications for diabetes, with metformin often being the first prescribed. Metformin helps to lower glucose production in the liver and improves the body’s sensitivity to insulin, so your body uses insulin more effectively. Nausea and diarrhea are possible side effects and nutrient depletions occur with this medication as well.

Supplements

• Res-Q 105MAX: This unique pumpkin pentose complex contains 5 natural ingredients to naturally support blood sugar metabolism and balance blood sugar levels.

• Res-Q Land ‘n’ Sea Fiber Capsules or Powder: Fiber lowers the glycemic index of foods as they are digested. This means, it slows the rate at which carbohydrates are converted to sugar, and ultimately can help to lower blood sugar levels.

• Res-Q MetaboLOCK: This formula is designed to address metabolic syndrome, which includes elevated blood sugar levels. This product contains ingredients like cinnamon, which helps to lower glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes as well as ingredients to improve insulin resistance and lower inflammation, which are associated with diabetes.

• Res-Q Vital D3: A deficiency in Vitamin D has been linked to an increased incidence of diabetes.

• Res-Q Omega-3s: Omega-3s support healthy blood sugar metabolism and also improve many of the side effects caused by diabetes, including inflammation.

Article written by:

Dr. Melissa Josselson, ND

Dr. Josselson earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She then earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree (ND) from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, a 4-year graduate-level naturopathic medical school and one of five accredited schools in the U.S.