Type II DIABETES

In the United States, over 18 million people, representing 6% of the total population, have diabetes mellitus. Out of those with diabetes, 5 million remain undiagnosed and about 90% have type II diabetes.

It is estimated that 85% of people diagnosed with type II diabetes are overweight. In addition, it is considered inevitable that individuals who are 30+% overweight will become diabetic. Type II diabetes is caused by an impaired ability of the body to utilize insulin. Insulin resistance and deficiency causes a dangerous rise in blood sugar, which can lead to serious complications including heart disease, peripheral neuropathy, blindness, limb amputations and kidney failure.

Western and naturopathic doctors include diabetes in their differential diagnoses if any of the following symptoms are present: excess urination, excess thirst, excess hunger, weight loss, vision changes, peripheral numbness or tingling, fatigue, slow healing sores, and/or an increase in infections.

Risk factors for type II diabetes include obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, family history of diabetes, sedentary lifestyle and ethnicity. Western doctors treat type II diabetes with diet, exercise, oral hypoglycemic drugs, and insulin when necessary.

In contrast, naturopaths emphasize diet, nutrition and exercise and use oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin when necessary. Additionally, naturopaths prescribe vitamins, minerals and herbs to help the body utilize insulin and protect vital organs. Type II diabetes is preventable and treatable when patients are invested in their own health care and well being.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Caffeine Raises Blood Sugar

A study reported in the February issue of Diabetes Care showed that caffeine raises blood sugar in individuals with type 2 diabetes. It seems that blood sugar was most notably higher after meals, when blood sugar is normally at its highest. Subjects had a 9% increase after breakfast, 15% after lunch, and 26% increase after dinner compared to baselines.

The test subjects took 500 mg of caffeine during the study, which equals 4 small cups of coffee.

Caffeine, the active alkaloid in coffee, stimulates elevated blood glucose via two routes. First it inhibits the transfer of glucose from the blood stream into cells. Second, it raises adrenaline levels in the body. Elevated adrenaline levels stimulate the liver to produce and release sugar into the blood stream.

At ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine, we see a lot of patients attached to their daily cups of coffee. These patients may not be diabetic, but they often have fasting blood glucoses that are high normal. Over time, these “high normal” levels of blood sugar age us faster than usual.

Patients with high normal blood sugars are typically at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, macular degeneration (progressive blindness in the elderly), and mood imbalances.

To have your blood sugar levels tested and discuss whether caffeine or other lifestyle risk factors may play a part in the aging process, please contact us at ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Metformin & B-12 Supplementation

Millions of people in America take Metformin for diabetes, insulin resistance, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and infertility. Metformin does not treat the underlying cause of any of these conditions. Its purpose is to prevent the liver from producing excess sugar, while inhibiting the intestines from absorbing glucose into the bloodstream. Metformin also acts to re-sensitize our cells to insulin, which lowers insulin resistance and results in a decrease in blood glucose.

Most people are not aware that Metformin also inhibits our ability to absorb vitamin B12. It is estimated that up to 30% of all people taking this medication have a B12 deficiency. Intrinsic factor, a protein made by stomach intestinal cells, is necessary for the absorption of this vital nutrient and Metformin interferes with the ability of this protein to do its job.

People taking Metformin should be supplementing with B12. Monthly B12 injections are a great way to absorb and maintain B12 levels in the blood. B12 is essential for the health of our red blood cells and is needed in every metabolic pathway that takes place in our bodies.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.