Is Your Type 2 Diabetes Really Under Control? by:Dr. Tina Marcantel

If you are among the growing number of people

suffering from type 2 diabetes,

here is some good news: A plan of basic therapies

including education, a personalized meal plan,

nutritional supplements, and ongoing monitoring

and support can reduce the amount of insulin and

oral medications needed to manage the disease and

decrease the symptoms and complications of

diabetes. When you are empowered by knowledge,

you can learn to effectively manage this

potentially devastating disease.

Many diabetic patients think their symptoms are "

under control" because they are taking insulin

and other oral medications that help keep their

blood sugars within acceptable levels.

Medications are, of course, critical in the

treatment of the disease. However, if the patient

does not commit to an active role in addressing

the causes of problems, then the result may be an

ever-increasing dependence on insulin or other

medications, which have their own negative side

effects over time. For instance, did you know

that insulin is a fat-storing hormone that often

leads to unwanted weight gain among diabetic

patients? That weight gain can then lead to other

problems such as high blood pressure or joint

problems.

In my own work with patients, I stress four

important factors. The first is

education about the disease process. It is

critical to understand what diabetes is and what

the effects can be on your body. Without proper

treatment, problems such as loss of vision, pain

or numbness in the extremities, ulcers on the

feet, and damage to vital organs can occur.

Learning about how the disease affects the body

to cause these problems is the first crucial step

in your treatment plan.

The next factor is developing a personalized meal

plan. "You are what you eat" was never truer than

when talking about diabetes. By understanding how

certain foods affect your body and your blood

sugars, it is possible to enjoy good meals while

still controlling blood sugars and decreasing

your weight. As an example, eating a piece of

fruit alone can cause blood sugars to rise, but

taking a protein such as nuts or cheese with the

fruit will prevent a spike in the blood sugars.

Targeted nutritional supplements or botanical

treatments can also be very helpful. Recent

studies have shown these alternative therapies to

be effective in decreasing blood pressure,

lowering cholesterol, and decreasing blood sugars,

thus reducing potential organ damage.

Perhaps the most important factor in a treatment

plan is an ongoing monitoring and support program.

Working with a healthcare provider who will

spend time discussing your progress and modifying

your treatment plan on a regular basis is

critical to successfully managing the disease.

You don't have to be a "victim" of type 2

diabetes. By being proactive and working with a

knowledgeable physician, you can control your

diabetes without letting it control you.

About the author

Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic physician in Mesa, Arizona. Before entering medical school she was a registered nurse. Dr. Marcantel has over twenty-five years of experience in the health care field including diabetes management, women's health, weight loss, and mental health. She practices holistic, integrative patient care. For more information please visit her site at http://www.drmarcantel.com

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