Diabetes is a complex disease that occurs when glucose is not being properly delivered to the cells in your body. Insulin is required to move glucose into the cells and the pancreas is your body’s insulin producer. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas either produces little or no insulin, or the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced, which is called insulin resistance.
Type 1 diabetes typically occurs in younger people, and because the body no longer produces insulin at all, these patients need insulin injections daily for rest of their lives. Type 2 diabetes is different, however. This type of diabetes is largely caused by diet and lifestyle. Type 2 diabetes used to be considered an adult onset disease, but unfortunately it is becoming more and more prevalent even in children these days.
Traditional medicine doesn’t offer much guidance for patients with diabetes. They are typically put on medication designed to lower their blood sugar, and told to eat healthy and lose weight. The problem with this model for care is that the medication is only designed to lower their blood sugar, not determine or alleviate the cause of the blood sugar issue. Also, patients are given no guidance as to which diet and fitness programs are best for their specific needs.
The good news is that many patients are receiving care and guidance through functional wellness programs. This type of practitioner offers wellness programs that are comprehensive, customized, safe and natural. They utilize thorough laboratory testing to determine the root cause of the blood sugar issues. After analyzing test results they create care that is customized to each patient’s needs. This includes creating a nutrition plan that eliminates any foods that the patient is sensitive to and may be causing inflammation in the body. Creating a fitness plan that allows the patient to maximize their exercise program by working out smarter, not harder. And using natural therapies to help the patient’s body begin to heal itself.
A functional wellness practitioner also understands the importance of educating their patient about their condition. They take the time to make sure that every patient understands the root cause of their diabetes and how to effectively manage it. The goal is to give patients the tools to manage their condition on their own for a lifetime, breaking the cycle of dependence on medical care.
With this type of care, many patients are able to not only manage their type 2 diabetes, but also sometimes reverse it. Even those with type 1 diabetes can experience a better quality of life by utilizing a functional wellness program. If you or someone you know suffers from diabetes, take the time to learn how functional wellness may be able to benefit your specific needs. After all, your health and quality of life are too important to settle for a “one size fits all” approach to care.