Type 2 diabetes represents a significant health concern for modern society. Every year, many Americans are diagnosed with diabetes, with the majority being type 2 diabetes. Just over 11% of the population has this condition, which is a leading cause of health complications in the US.
While these statistics may seem concerning, there is positive news. Although genetics can influence type 2 diabetes, this condition is primarily associated with lifestyle and environmental factors that individuals can manage.
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What is Type II Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes, sometimes referred to as non-insulin-dependent diabetes, is a long-term metabolic condition characterized by elevated blood glucose (sugar) levels due to the body's ineffective use or insufficient production of the hormone insulin. Insulin, produced by the pancreas, helps regulate blood sugar levels by allowing glucose to enter the cells to be used as energy.
In type 2 diabetes, the body's cells do not respond normally to insulin, leading to insulin resistance. The pancreas may not produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. It's called non-insulin-dependent diabetes because the body can still produce and use insulin, though not effectively. Lifestyle factors are a significant contributor to this condition.
Type 1 diabetes, in contrast, is insulin-dependent. It is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to an inability to produce insulin and requiring insulin injections for management.
The elevated blood glucose levels associated with type 2 diabetes can contribute to various health issues over time, including heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, peripheral neuropathy, stroke, retinopathy (eye problems), and increased susceptibility to infections.
Type II Diabetes Symptoms
In type 2 diabetes, the body's difficulty in using insulin effectively and managing blood sugar levels can lead to various symptoms. Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
- Fatigue
- Significant hunger or thirst
- Frequent urination (especially at night)
- Blurred vision
- Slow wound healing
- Tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands or feet
- Frequent infections
- Unexplained weight loss
- Areas of darkened skin (usually around the neck and armpits)
It's important to note that not everyone with type 2 diabetes experiences symptoms, and some people may have mild symptoms. Being proactive about your health is vital to maintaining overall wellness. Regular visits to your healthcare provider can help identify any imbalances that might indicate an increased risk for developing diabetes.
What Causes Type II Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is influenced by a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. The primary risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include:
- Being overweight or obese, which may increase the risk of developing insulin resistance, potentially leading to type 2 diabetes.
- Lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle, which can contribute to insulin resistance and potentially lead to type 2 diabetes.
- A diet high in refined and processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats, which may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Various nutrient deficiencies or insufficiencies are associated with type 2 diabetes, including inositol (a sugar produced by the body that supports blood glucose and insulin regulation), Vitamin D, and micronutrients (including zinc, chromium, and magnesium).
- Having a family history of diabetes, which may increase the risk of developing the condition.
- The risk of developing type 2 diabetes may increase in people over 45.
- People of certain ethnicities, including Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander, may have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Women who have had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) may be at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
- Those with blood sugar levels above normal but not high enough to be in diabetic ranges (prediabetes) may be at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Disruption of the gut microbiome (the trillions of microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract), called dysbiosis, is associated with this condition.
- Evidence suggests that exposure to certain toxins may increase the risk for type 2 diabetes. This includes toxins such as Bisphenol A (BPA, a chemical used to produce plastics), arsenic, dioxin, and others, many commonly found in pesticides.
- The circadian rhythm, the body's internal 24-hour clock that syncs with daily light and dark cycles, may be associated with type 2 diabetes when disrupted, including disruptions to regular sleep patterns.
It's important to note that having one or more of these risk factors doesn't necessarily mean you'll develop type 2 diabetes, but it's essential to be aware of them and consider lifestyle changes to help reduce your risk.
Functional Medicine Labs to Test for Root Cause of Type II Diabetes
An Integrative Medicine approach to managing type 2 diabetes begins with a thorough history and physical examination. Your healthcare provider will explore your lifestyle, past medical history, and environmental exposures to assess what physical and functional laboratory evaluations may be necessary to identify factors contributing to your type 2 diabetes.
Hormone Testing
Cortisol and melatonin are hormones released in circadian cycles. Cortisol rises in the morning to signal to the body that it's time to wake up, and melatonin increases at night to signal that it's time for rest. The DUTCH Plus™ evaluates the morning cortisol rise (called the Cortisol Awakening Response, or CAR) and melatonin levels. If you struggle with sleep issues, this test also allows you to collect a cortisol sample during the night.
Micronutrients Testing
Evaluating micronutrients in the body can help determine whether deficiencies or insufficiencies are present. This information can assist your healthcare provider in creating targeted supplement recommendations to support your health.
Blood workup
A comprehensive blood workup can provide helpful baseline information regarding blood sugar regulation, blood lipid levels, and information about liver and kidney function, which can be affected in type 2 diabetes. A comprehensive workup for type 2 diabetes may include CBC, CMP (which tests fasting blood glucose levels), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin, and a lipid panel.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Testing
An oral glucose tolerance test measures blood sugar levels before and after consuming a sugary beverage to assess how well your cells respond to glucose.
Blood Sugar Monitoring
Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is important to help manage diabetes. This can be done through self-monitoring with a glucose meter or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis
Comprehensive stool testing can provide valuable information about the gut microbiome to determine whether dysbiosis is affecting your diabetes.
Conventional Treatment for Type II Diabetes
There are times when conventional treatments are necessary, in conjunction with lifestyle modifications and natural therapies, to provide an Integrative Medicine solution that supports your health.
Conventional medical treatments for type 2 diabetes typically focus on managing blood sugar levels through medication.
Oral medications
Several medications are available to help manage type 2 diabetes, including metformin, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and SGLT2 inhibitors. These medications work in different ways to help manage blood sugar levels.
Insulin therapy
In some cases, people with type 2 diabetes may need to take insulin to help manage their blood sugar levels. Insulin is typically injected under the skin or delivered through an insulin pump.
Integrative Medicine Treatment Protocol for Type II Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is primarily influenced by lifestyle, so it should be no surprise that lifestyle changes can play a significant role in managing type 2 diabetes.
Exercise is an excellent place to start when it comes to supporting blood glucose and insulin regulation. Physical activity has been associated with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you have previously lived a sedentary lifestyle and adding exercise sounds daunting, there's good news. Research suggests that walking for just 15 minutes after meals may support better glucose control.
Nutrition For Type II Diabetes
Nutrition plays a critical role in managing type 2 diabetes. An Integrative Medicine approach to managing type 2 diabetes incorporates a nutritional plan that ensures adequate protein and healthy fats and emphasizes whole, organic, nutrient-dense, low glycemic, high-fiber foods. Low glycemic and high-fiber foods are important as they may help minimize blood sugar spikes and support better glucose control. A specific dietary approach with evidence to support its benefits for type 2 diabetes is the Mediterranean Diet. A Mediterranean Diet has been associated with better blood glucose control and a healthy gut microbiome, which is an important consideration for those managing type 2 diabetes.
Another nutritional approach to consider for type 2 diabetes is intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting may help manage type 2 diabetes by supporting blood glucose control. Fasting regimens vary, including alternate-day and time-restricted fasting, and have been associated with improved insulin sensitivity and blood glucose levels.
If environmental toxin exposure is a factor in your diabetes, eating as organic and clean as possible is essential. The Environmental Working Group has resources to help you choose which foods to focus on purchasing organic (the Dirty Dozen list) and which conventional produce are less contaminated with pesticides (the Clean Fifteen list).
Stress Management For Type II Diabetes
Stress management techniques, including yoga and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) therapy, have been associated with improvements in blood glucose control.
Acupuncture Therapy For Type II Diabetes
Acupuncture therapy is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment that uses tiny needles at specific points on the body to support energy flow and well-being. Acupuncture therapy has been associated with improved fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels in individuals with diabetes.
Supplements For Type II Diabetes
Myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol are forms of inositol that have been associated with improved fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels, indicating support for blood glucose control.
Supplementation to restore nutrients shown to be deficient or insufficient with micronutrient testing is important for the optimal function of the body's biological processes, including blood sugar regulation. Vitamin D, zinc, chromium, and magnesium are nutrients that may support blood glucose control.
Various herbal supplements have been associated with improved parameters related to blood glucose control, such as fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and insulin levels. Herbal supplements that may be considered in an Integrative Medicine approach for managing type 2 diabetes include curcumin, cinnamon, berberine, and gymnema.
Probiotic supplementation is another strategy that may support type 2 diabetes. Probiotics have been associated with beneficial changes in the gut microbiome and improved blood glucose control in diabetes.
If toxin exposure is determined to be involved in your type 2 diabetes, your healthcare provider may recommend various foods and supplements to support your body's detoxification processes. Foods that may support the body's detoxification mechanisms include cruciferous vegetables, berries, celery, carrots, parsnips, parsley, garlic, onions, and grapefruit. Staying adequately hydrated is also important when undergoing detoxification treatments. Supplements that may support detoxification include glutathione, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), Vitamin C, milk thistle, and fiber.
Circadian Rhythm For Type II Diabetes
Making changes that support the natural circadian rhythm of the body can be helpful for better glucose control as well as supporting overall well-being. Lifestyle modifications that support getting adequate sleep may help support better glucose control. Supplementing with melatonin at night before bed may help support better sleep if you experience sleep issues. Melatonin may also support better glucose control when taken away from food. Studies suggest that elevated melatonin concentrations with food intake may reduce glucose control, supporting the idea that eating close to bedtime may not be beneficial.
Summary
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition in which the body's cells do not respond to insulin properly. This reduces the ability of glucose to enter the cells to produce cellular energy and results in elevated blood glucose levels. This condition can affect your overall health and well-being and may contribute to other health issues.
An Integrative Medicine approach to managing type 2 diabetes includes understanding your genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that may be contributing to the condition. A well-rounded approach relies on lifestyle modifications, including physical activity and dietary changes, as well as supplementation and other therapies to support your unique biology in managing this condition.
If you're managing type 2 diabetes and feel overwhelmed by the thought of changing your lifestyle, you may find it encouraging to know that even small changes can be helpful. For example, walking for just 15 minutes after meals may support better blood glucose control. Talk with your healthcare provider about the steps you can take to support your blood glucose control and manage your type 2 diabetes.
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