“Can naturopathy help us with my mother's diabetes?”
My mother is 54 years old and has recently been detected with type 2 diabetes. Do you think naturopathy can help her manage her diabetes better?
16 Answers
Naturopathic medicine can really shine when it comes to Type 2 Diabetes, so yes, I definitely believe it could help!
YES, I DO. PROPER DIET, EXERCISE, AND WEIGHT REDUCTION ARE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO KEEP BLOOD SUGAR CONTROLLED. DECREASE CARBS AND SUGAR. I AM SURE SHE IS GETTING PROPER DIET ADVICE. THE HERB GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE CAN DECREASE SUGAR CRAVINGS. IF SHE IS ON MEDICATION, SHE NEEDS TO BE MONITORED. I THINK NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE CAN BE OF BENEFIT.
Yes, naturopathy can help your mother. Diet is a big factor.
Yes, I have seen a holistic approach to diabetes including nutrition counseling and vitamin support be very helpful in managing diabetes.
Dr. Krisel Nagallo, NMD
Dr. Krisel Nagallo, NMD
Yes, naturopathy is a great way to manage diabetes.
Hello! Yes, absolutely. In many cases, diabetic patients are able to not only “manage” diabetes, but can improve it to the point of barely needing any medications. Some people (depending on the type, severity and commitment level) can even reverse it! If she is truly willing to make the lifestyle and other supportive changes needed to improve and potentially reverse her condition, I highly encourage your mother to seek out a local naturopathic doctor to help her get started on her journey to wellness and optimal health!
The short answer is Yes for type 2, but No for type 1 diabetes.
Absolutely if Diabetes type II. If diabetes type I (insulin required) we can help, however we have seen patients reverse type II DM. We support through lifestyle (exercise, sleep, nutrition) as well as with hormones as when we age our risks goes up simply due to lowering of our natural hormones.
Yes. People have turned their diabetes around. However, if they are on insulin, that changes the picture. It becomes extremely difficult then as the body becomes reliant on the insulin to help manage the sugar levels
If you're looking for the newest work on treatments that actually make an impact for diabetic disorders, those practicing functional medicine, a.k.a. naturopathic medicine, would be an excellent potential. The largest difference will be the targeted dietary changes that will not fit the American Diabetic Association's norms. Why, because science has been updated to the newest functional results and they are substantially different than the current conventional approach. Also, the amount and type of prescriptive agents will be minimized and focused.
Indeed, naturopathic medicine is the best option for treating type II diabetes, which is reversible with the change in diet and lifestyle.
Yes and in fact if she is willing to do some work, possibly even reverse it. Good luck!
Alexander Haskell
Salt Lake City, UT
There are many underlying causes for why a person develops Type 2. This can certainly relate to poor nutritional choices, but also digestive issues, a latent, low-grade systemic infection, both macro and trace mineral deficiencies, and root canals.
Hope this helps.
Thanks,
Dr. Haskell
Hope this helps.
Thanks,
Dr. Haskell
My friend, the easiest answer is to just once again say yes to your question. But that is not what you are looking for, so please take into consideration that at any moment, thousands of chemical reactions are taking place within our bodies, and all of these reactions are having a purpose, and that purpose is to sustain life.
The term "energy metabolism" is referring to the hundreds of chemical reactions involved with the break down, synthesis, and transformation of the energy yielding nutrients. The metabolic pathways are working together in a complex way to maintain a steady supply of energy in a form that needs to be synthesized. Our bodies run at the microscopic level.
The story to tell about carbohydrate metabolism is really the story of glucose, as all carbohydrates are eventually transformed into glucose. Glucose enters into our cells by what is called Facilitated-diffusion, and this process is greatly enhanced by insulin, as insulin is actually received onto the receptor sites on the cellular membrane, which goes on to activate the GLUTs transporters, which is actually how the glucose gets into the cell; the cell has to change shape to allow this big molecule within. These transporters have to be made by the cell through expression of the genes and, if the cell is not in need of the energy source, it will decrease the production of the transporters so that the glucose cannot get into the cell. It is not needed, so the glucose stays within the bloodstream, raising blood glucose levels as the cells are not in need of the energy source. They do not want it, so they reduce the amount of transporters that they are synthesizing to control the amount of glucose coming in, and the glucose stays within the bloodstream.
Physical activity plays a significant role in controlling diabetes. During exercise, cellular uptake of glucose for the working muscles increases dramatically as the working muscles are in need of the glucose. They will use it, so they take it up into the cell from bloodstream, reducing the blood sugar levels.
Let's take into account fiber. Fiber-rich carbohydrates...Well, fiber cannot be digested. We do not have enzymes to break it down, so it goes through the intestines intact, absorbing excess sugars and toxins, removing them and preventing their absorption into the bloodstream. Every gram of fiber potentially absorbs 7 calories of sugar, inhibiting its absorption into the bloodstream.
So, simply focusing on increasing your fiber intake, eating lower sugar fruits, berries, and veggies, and increasing your physical activity is a great start. Increasing your muscle mass will increase the metabolism, as muscle is an active tissue, even at rest. This would be the next step.
I hope this helps.
The term "energy metabolism" is referring to the hundreds of chemical reactions involved with the break down, synthesis, and transformation of the energy yielding nutrients. The metabolic pathways are working together in a complex way to maintain a steady supply of energy in a form that needs to be synthesized. Our bodies run at the microscopic level.
The story to tell about carbohydrate metabolism is really the story of glucose, as all carbohydrates are eventually transformed into glucose. Glucose enters into our cells by what is called Facilitated-diffusion, and this process is greatly enhanced by insulin, as insulin is actually received onto the receptor sites on the cellular membrane, which goes on to activate the GLUTs transporters, which is actually how the glucose gets into the cell; the cell has to change shape to allow this big molecule within. These transporters have to be made by the cell through expression of the genes and, if the cell is not in need of the energy source, it will decrease the production of the transporters so that the glucose cannot get into the cell. It is not needed, so the glucose stays within the bloodstream, raising blood glucose levels as the cells are not in need of the energy source. They do not want it, so they reduce the amount of transporters that they are synthesizing to control the amount of glucose coming in, and the glucose stays within the bloodstream.
Physical activity plays a significant role in controlling diabetes. During exercise, cellular uptake of glucose for the working muscles increases dramatically as the working muscles are in need of the glucose. They will use it, so they take it up into the cell from bloodstream, reducing the blood sugar levels.
Let's take into account fiber. Fiber-rich carbohydrates...Well, fiber cannot be digested. We do not have enzymes to break it down, so it goes through the intestines intact, absorbing excess sugars and toxins, removing them and preventing their absorption into the bloodstream. Every gram of fiber potentially absorbs 7 calories of sugar, inhibiting its absorption into the bloodstream.
So, simply focusing on increasing your fiber intake, eating lower sugar fruits, berries, and veggies, and increasing your physical activity is a great start. Increasing your muscle mass will increase the metabolism, as muscle is an active tissue, even at rest. This would be the next step.
I hope this helps.
Type 2 DM is pretty much epidemic now in the USA and qualified NDs are in a perfect position to support and treat these conditions. Find a qualified ND, get current with blood tests, and begin a comprehensive plan to work with your body to correct imbalances.
Yes, Naturopathy can help manage your mother's diabetes. Naturopathic Medicine works with diet/nutrition, weight management, healthy lifestyle changes and supplementation to support healthy blood sugar and insulin levels. I have seen many reverse patients with type 2 diabetes with Naturopathy.
