Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic problem that occurs when you have prolonged high levels of glucose in the blood due to problems with insulin resistance. This means that although your pancreas is actively working to secrete insulin and regulate sugar levels in the blood, organs that are supposed to benefit from the wonders of insulin are resistant to its effects!
Understanding Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that occurs when there is prolonged high levels of sugar within the blood due to problems with insulin metabolism and balance.1 Insulin is a special hormone secreted mainly in the pancreas that is responsible in regulating blood sugar levels, thereby helping to produce energy that your body needs to function and at the same time regulate the consumption of this energy. Over time, this metabolic imbalance can damage your blood vessels, leading to long-term (and possibly irreversible) problems with your heart, eyes, kidneys, and brain.
The Role of Insulin
You may have wondered what exactly insulin does and why it is a very important hormone in the body. To answer your question, insulin is the primary control that directs tissues in the body to store and replenish its own fuel (also known as glucose), making sure your cells have adequate amounts of energy to function properly. As insulin effectively regulates the use and storage of the body’s fuels, it also helps maintain adequate levels of glucose in the blood. Maintaining these levels are important in regularly providing your brain with glucose to fuel its day-to-day activities. Once this balance is disrupted, your central nervous system cannot function properly. This is why people with low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) experience confusion, seizures, or coma (in severe cases). Prolonged high levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia), on the other hand, can impair the abilities of your kidneys to reabsorb glucose. Once this happens, the unabsorbed glucose draws water out of the body along with it, causing you to urinate more than usual! This can lead to dehydration in the long run.
Allopathic Options
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is initially managed with anti-hyperglycemic oral medications, such as metformin. These anti-hyperglycemic drugs effectively reduce your blood sugar levels to reach their normal numbers, helping to maintain homeostasis and effective delivery of energy to body tissues. However, the right anti-hyperglycemic drug varies per person and may cause different side effects, such as stomach problems, unintentional weight gain or weight loss, headaches, increased risks of infections, and vitamin deficiencies.2 Additionally, the efficacy of these medications in regulating your blood sugar levels diminishes overtime, especially when nutrition and lifestyle changes are not incorporated in these regimens. Eventually, many people with type 2 diabetes mellitus are prescribed lifelong insulin injections, where monitoring of blood sugar levels every day is required to prevent low blood sugar levels (a common side effect of insulin that primarily affects fuel delivery into the brain).
The Naturopathic Approach
Naturopathic care for type 2 diabetes mellitus follows a holistic approach that targets the root causes of your health problems, thereby promoting healing from within. It aims to establish a personalized and structured approach that considers lifestyle, nutrition, nutrient supplementation, herbal medications, and whole-body therapies, that are all aimed at nurturing your body’s natural abilities to heal itself.
With naturopathic medicine, total remission from type 2 diabetes is possible!
Intuitive Eating Being aware of what you eat every day and understanding the different impacts of food on your blood glucose levels is important in effectively managing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Rather than restricting yourself to a specific diet, intuitive eating practices help you choose the best and accessible food choices for your optimal health without having to feel guilty of what you actually eat. This may sound a bit tricky! Your naturopathic doctors will help you recognize your body’s natural hunger signals and discover ways on how you can indulge in your favorite foods and take care of your health at the same time. Nutrient Supplementation Supplementing your diet with vitamins and minerals is an effective approach to help your body fight off the imbalance associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
And many more! With different supplements available for type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding the best types for your health and preference is important! Not to worry, your naturopathic team at Natural Path to Wellness will help you discover the best supplements for your optimal health and well-being. Botanical Medicine
And many more! Nurturing Your Metabolic Health
Achieving optimal blood sugar levels and long-term glycemic control requires a whole-person commitment that involves modifications in lifestyle and nutrition, as well as supplementation, effective medications, herbal remedies, and physical movement, all of which impart positive effects on your overall health. You are not alone in fighting against type 2 diabetes mellitus. At Natural Path to Wellness, your naturopathic medicine advisors will help you discover the best solutions for your long-term well-being. Talk to us today!
It is important to remember that the use of certain herbal medications is contraindicated in special populations, especially in pregnant and lactating women. Additionally, incorporating herbal remedies into your daily regimen should be monitored and regulated to ensure that you are able to receive the full benefits of their natural healing properties. Discovering the right herbal remedies for your case and preferences is done with the guidance of your naturopathic doctors, who are experts in the field of natural and holistic healing. This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information. REFERENCES:
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THE BLOG AT NATURAL PATH TO WELLNESSAuthorSNatural Path to Wellness values community education and welcomes contributions from writers with a background in Naturopathic Medicine, natural health and wellness, herbalism, homeopathy, Nature Cure, and more. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
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