right and exercise more. Unfortunately this falls extremely short of what should be acceptable care and is often a result of either the limited time the physician has to educate the patient, and/or a lack knowledge about of effective interven- tions to reverse the disease process. The prescribed medications used in
conventional medicine often increase the risk and perpetuate the disease process by not addressing the underlying cause, promoting further insulin resistance and depleting nutrients that lead to further complications. Glipizide, a sulfonylurea drug, promotes the excretion of insulin from the pancreas and can further pro- mote insulin resistance if the individual is continuing to consume foods that promote elevated blood glucose levels. When elevated levels of insulin are in the blood stream it promotes renal retention of sodium, which causes the body to hold onto more H20 in a closed vascular system resulting in high blood pressure and edema. Metformin, although a great medication for promoting insulin sensitiv- ity and decreased absorption of glucose from the intestines, has the detrimental effect of depleting B12 from the body, which can result in secondary symptoms such as peripheral neuropathy. Ironically, the medications prescribed for peripheral neuropathy can lead to increased weight gain, a risk factor for further development of diabetes, and peripheral edema in elderly patients. The role of these prescribed medi- cations should be a short-term reac-
tive approach to decreasing the risk of developing further disease while a person becomes proactive, learning and imple- menting a plan that addresses the cause(s) of their insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. When these short-term, initially lifesaving interventions are utilized for the long-term without addressing the cause it only exacerbates and extends the disease process. Type 2 diabetes and insulin resis- tance are lifestyle diseases, meaning that lifestyle habits, such as diet, need to be addressed first. The foundational fix to this chronic epidemic is redefining what should be considered food and adopt- ing a low carbohydrate and nutrient-rich diet. The definition of food should be substances that are naturally grown from the earth or feed off of things grown from the earth, that are not processed and that are high in nutrient content. Real foods include lean meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds and healthy oils. This low carbohydrate diet is known as the Paleo Diet.
Professor Loren Cordain, the modern
day father of the Paleolithic diet, has writ- ten many books and published numerous papers about the benefits of this diet for the reversal of chronic disease, including type 2 diabetes. In my experience, the Paleo Diet has by far the best clinical di- etary guidelines for addressing the major causes of type 2 diabetes and insulin re- sistance: removal of all processed foods, low consumption of carbohydrates, and promotion of nutrient dense foods.
To address the underlying cause(s) it is important to consult with a knowledge- able practitioner who understands how to take a thorough history, order and track laboratory values, examine findings and provide a thorough, easy to implement plan of action specific to you and your goals.
In addition to diet, other important
interventions that could be recommended to prevent and even expedite the reversal of type 2 diabetes could include:
• Supplementation of vitamins, minerals, herbs and fats that target glucose signal- ing, insulin response, hormonal regula- tion and promote proper detoxification.
• Balance the stress response through biofeedback techniques such as heart rate variability training or meditation, and
• Exercise recommendations such as high intensity interval training.
As you begin to implement a health- ier lifestyle that addresses the underly- ing cause(s) of chronic disease, your body begins to function more optimally decreasing the risk of developing further disease and the need for interventions such as medication. These changes can then set you up to live a longer and more productive life.
As Always Your Health Detective, Dr. Rudy Mueller, DC, IFMCP. See ad on page 23.
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10 Essential Living Maine ~ November/December 2014
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