There are two major types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes requires total insulin replacement in order to live. This form usually starts early in life and is a life long condition. Type 2 diabetes is related to insulin resistance, obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. A third type is gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy. Diabetes currently is found in over 6% of the population, and type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% of all of these cases.

The main component of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance. This occurs at the level of the fat and muscle cell. Insulin acts like a key in the cell wall that lets the glucose from the blood into the cell for energy. When there is increased resistance, it causes hyperglycemia or high blood glucose levels. To compensate, the pancreas produces more insulin. The cells sense this flood of insulin and become more resistant, resulting in higher and higher glucose levels and higher insulin levels.

A person with type 2 diabetes often does not require insulin injections but rather lifestyle modifications. The primary treatments are exercise and dietary changes.

The onset of type 2 diabetes occurs gradually. Over 80% of the people with type 2 diabetes are severely overweight at the time of their diagnosis. However, the disease can also be found in lean people, especially the elderly. While genetics plays a role, as shown in a family tendency, lifestyle factors such as a low activity level and poor diet significantly increase a person’s risk. Other important risk factors are obesity, being over 45 years of age, a history of hypoglycemia, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and low HDL levels.

The warning symptoms of impaired glucose metabolism are:

• increased thirst

• increased urination

• increased appetite

• fatigue

• blurred vision

• frequent and/or slow-healing infections

• weight loss despite increased appetite

• erectile dysfunction in men

Diabetes currently is found in over 6% of the population,
and type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% of all of these cases.

Treatment for impaired glucose management begins with dietary alterations and increased exercise. One without the other is usually ineffective. Regular exercise helps in the control of the levels of glucose in the blood. It also helps burn excess calories and reduces body fat to achieve optimal weight. Exercise improves overall health by improving blood flow and decreasing blood pressure. It naturally decreases insulin resistance even without weight loss. Exercise also increases the body’s energy level, lowers tension, and improves a person’s ability to handle stress. If you are overweight or out of shape, you must be careful when you start your exercise program. We can tailor an appropriate program for you.

The other major treatment strategy is diet and proper supplementation. Depending on your lifestyle and food choices, a diet needs to be constructed that allows a constant level of blood glucose without any peaks and valleys during the day. Internally, the levels of blood glucose are affected by the interplay of the pancreas, liver and adrenal glands. Cofactor deficiencies, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids which are essential for the proper functioning of these organs can seriously impair their ability to control your glucose levels. Even foods that are not high in sugars can affect your glucose levels. Recently, a group of Harvard School of Public Health researchers analyzed the dietary habits of thousands of men and found that those who ate processed meats five times or more per week had a 46 percent greater probability of developing type 2 diabetes.

Treatment for impaired glucose management begins
with dietary alterations and increased exercise.

With proper diet, exercise and nutritional supplementation, type 2 diabetes can be controlled in most cases without medications. The consequences of not controlling this condition include blindness, diabetic neuropathy, cardiovascular disease and impaired peripheral circulation that can lead to amputation.

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