Want to understand what diabetes is and how to prevent and treat it?
Read below!
Contact Dr. McNaughton for individualized evaluation and treatment.
Blood sugar- normal body function
You eat food, your blood sugar rises, your pancreas makes insulin, insulin brings sugar from blood into cells. Image and location of pancreas:
Insulin Resistance- Pre-Diabetes
Cells are not able to take in sugar from the blood very well. Sugar backs up into the blood.
Insulin brings blood sugar down, but the cycle is like a roller coaster.
People have problems with cholesterol, high blood pressure, inflammation, & blood clotting.
Can be treated naturally
Usually turns into Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes
90-95% of all diabetics
Cells are not able to take in sugar from the blood very well. Sugar backs up into the blood. Insulin levels start out fine, but can decrease later on.
Causes/risk factors: Parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes, over ideal body weight, high sugar, low nutrient diet, high saturated fats, lack of exercise.
Can be treated naturally and with medications. May need injectible insulin eventually.
Type 1 Diabetes
Pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to handle blood sugar
Causes: Pancreas is sensitive, normal inflammation aggravates it, body destroys cells in pancreas.
Risk factors: Parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes, infections (mono, mumps, stomach flu, hepatitis), cow’s milk before age 1, eating foods with nitrates (preserved meats)
Requires treatment with insulin, but natural treatment can help with management
What can I do to prevent diabetes?
Exercise
Minimize simple sugars
Eat high fiber foods
Maintain ideal body weight
Eat good fats (they lower cholesterol and are anti-inflammatory)
Dietary Recommendations
Reduce food sensitivities
Eat small frequent meals
Avoid simple sugars
Eat complex carbs
Avoid saturated fats
Eat foods high in nutrients, good fats, and antioxidants
Drink plenty of water
Protein helps to manage blood sugar, but too much can damage kidneys.
Alternative sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners don’t bother blood sugar, but cause reactions in some people and may have long term health effects. Natural alternative sweeteners also don’t bother blood sugar, but may take some getting used to.
Can diabetes be treated with natural medicine?
Yes!
Maintain ideal body weight
Follow dietary recommendations
Exercise regularly
Some supplements we may use: a multivitamin, alpha lipoic acid, antioxidants, fish oil, herbal blood sugar management.
**DO NOT strain your kidneys with too many supplements!
It is best if a naturopath guides you in condition monitoring and a complete treatment plan.
Some supplement facts
Bioflavonoids- dark berries strengthen vessels and protect eyes, kidneys, and skin from damage. 1 cup per day.
Chromium- picolinate does not seem to be effective & may strain the kidneys. Use trivalent, GTF, yeast source
Cinnamon- cassia species is the one which has been researched. Supermarket form is not cassia.
What will happen in my naturopathic visits?
We will work together on creating and maintaining a diet, exercise, and supplement plan
Monitor lab values such as blood sugar, protein, cholesterol, kidney function, hemoglobin A1c, and fructosamine
Check for complications such as high blood pressure, loss of sensation, and problems with wound healing, circulation, and eyes.
Evaluate, monitor, and treat other conditions
Can I use my medications and natural medicine together?
Yes! Always share what you are doing with your doctor. In many cases, adding natural treatments will lower blood sugar and you may need adjustments to your medication. If you drive blood sugar too low, fainting can occur. Dr. McNaughton is always happy to communicate with other health care providers.
Hypoglycemia
Occurs when the blood sugar is too low, either from too much insulin or combining treatments.
Call 911 if you see these symptoms:
Weakness
Drowsiness
Headache
Confusion
Dizziness
Double vision
Lack of coordination
Convulsions or unconsciousness
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Occurs when the body needs more insulin than normal- during stress, infection, surgery, heart attack (usually in Type 1)
Call 911 if you see these symptoms:
Increased thirst and urination
Nausea
Deep and rapid breathing
Abdominal pain
Sweet-smelling breath
Loss of consciousness
Preventing Complications
Heart disease/stroke- exercise, fish oil, fruits & vegetables, fiber, garlic
High blood pressure- exercise, fish oil
Blindness- Bioflavonoids
Kidney disease- Bioflavonoids, limit protein & supps, fiber (reduces work of kidneys)
Nervous system- GLA (borage, eve primrose, black currant), alpha lipoic acid, acupuncture
Wound healing, Amputation- Bioflavonoids, exercise, multivitamin, avoid tobacco
Depression- Exercise, journaling, counseling, stress management, herbal & amino acid therapy (use only under supervision).
Complications are worst when blood sugar is up and down- the “roller coaster” of blood sugar
Cautions
Do not self diagnose. You must be diagnosed by a doctor.
Do not quit any medications without consulting the doctor who prescribed them.
Talk with your doctor about new treatments you are starting.
You must monitor your blood sugar every day and have periodic blood tests and checkups for complications such as eye and kidney disease.
Expect to work! You must make changes in diet & exercise as well as taking medications and supplements!
Finger stick for blood sugar testing:
American Diabetes Association
Phone: 206-569-4627 Email: Info@CrescentNH.com