Diabetic woman eating a healthy meal Did you know that more than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes? Diabetes affects nearly ten percent of the population of the United States, and is the seventh leading cause of death in this country. When it’s not managed properly, type 2 diabetes can lead to health conditions like kidney disease, blindness, leg and foot amputations, and nerve damage, yet type 2 diabetes is preventable and reversible. Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes, is typically not reversible, but can be significantly improved with some lifestyle changes. Let’s look at some of the natural ways to control diabetes.

First, what is diabetes and what causes it? Diabetes has to do with elevated blood sugar levels. People with diabetes stop releasing and responding to normal amounts of insulin, a hormone that helps with the storage of sugar and fats, and this causes high blood sugar.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by insulin resistance. IN other words, insulin is being released, but the body is not responding to it properly. Type 2 diabetes typically develops because of a combination of factors, including a poor diet, high stress levels, high blood pressure or heart disease, high levels of inflammation, a hormonal condition, exposure to toxins or certain medications, a sedentary lifestyle, or being overweight. It’s often treated with prescription medications, but by adhering to the following guidelines, you can prevent, improve, or even reverse diabetes.

Remove certain foods. First, switch from refined sugar to a natural sweetener like stevia, to prevent extreme elevations in blood glucose. Remove all grains from your diet for 90 days, then try bringing in sprouted ancient grains in small amounts. Eliminate conventional cow’s milk and dairy products, because the A1 casein in conventional cow’s milk can trigger an immune response. Remove all GMO and packaged foods from your diet, as well as all hydrogenated oils.
Eat the right foods. Foods high in fiber help slow down glucose absorption, so aim for at least 30 grams of fiber per day. Look for foods rich in the nutrients chromium and magnesium, and consume healthy fats like the ones found in coconut and red palm oil, as well as ghee and grass fed butter. Eat clean proteins like wild caught fit, grass-fed beef, organic chicken, lentils, eggs, and bone broth, and foods with a low glycemic load, like non-starchy vegetables, stone fruits, berries, nuts, seeds, and avocados. If you eat this kind of diet, you are likely to lose weight, and this will also reduce your risk of diabetes.
Take certain supplements. Chromium picolinate, cinnamon, fish oil, alpha lipoic acid, and bitter melon extract are all recommended as natural remedies for diabetes.
Exercise regularly. There’s a large body of research to indicate that exercise improves blood glucose control while also reducing several diabetes risk factors. Exercise at least 20 to 30 minutes every day, incorporating simple forms of exercise like walking, yoga, or stretching. Three to five days a week, increase your exertion with interval training cardio or weight training. This can naturally increase insulin sensitivity.

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At Advanced Functional Medicine, an integrated medical clinic, we exclusively practice functional medicine. A full functional medicine approach to healing uses a comprehensive diagnostic screening to get to the root of a patient’s issues. Our whole body approach to medicine utilizes all-natural, researched-based nutritional approaches to optimize the body’s natural healing abilities, rather than just using medication to treat symptoms. Each individual receives unique and customized care, formulated based on the latest scientific resource, and we have a 96 percent success rate in patient outcomes. As a medically driven, patient-focused health clinic, we support our patients’ individual health goals, providing natural relief for symptoms of chronic factors and expert guidance about the decisions affecting a patient’s long-term health. It is our goal to help reverse chronic disease without resorting to dangerous or unnecessary drugs or surgical interventions, promoting healing from the inside out, in its truest, healthiest form. To schedule an appointment or learn more about how we can help restore your health and strengthen your body’s unique physiological functions, call 858-500-5572 or contact us through our website.