How Type 2 Diabetes Affects Your Body

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, How Type 2 Diabetes Affects Your Body, Dr. Nicolle

Type 2 diabetes affects your body in more ways than you might imagine. This is why it is so important that you know when you have it, and know how to manage it. Take a look at the risks of this chronic condition.

 

Cardiovascular Health

One dangerous area of your body affected by type 2 diabetes is your cardiovascular system, including your heart and blood vessels. This affects more than just your heart, since your blood is pumping blood throughout your entire body. With type 2 diabetes, you are a higher risk for developing a stroke or heart disease that can lead to having a heart attack. You could get nerve damage or blood vessel damage that causes foot issues and even amputations.

 

Eye Health

Diabetes is often linked to poor eye health, including conditions like diabetic retinopathy. This is a disease of the eyes where the blood vessels behind the eyes cause the retina to swell and even leak. This can affect your vision and is often not reversible. Not everyone with type 2 diabetes develops this condition, which is the good news. As long as you manage your diabetes properly, you can avoid getting it.

 

, How Type 2 Diabetes Affects Your Body, Dr. Nicolle

Kidney Health

Unfortunately, type 2 diabetes can also affect your kidneys. With your kidneys, a condition called diabetic nephropathy can occur. This is the condition associated with damage to the kidneys as a direct result of diabetes. It is not something everyone will experience, similar to eye conditions. You are at a higher risk of getting it if you don’t control your diabetes properly by checking your blood pressure and cholesterol, eating a healthy diet, and getting your blood checked to see what your blood sugar levels are.

 

Nerve Health

Your nerves can also be affected by diabetes, in more ways than you might already know. Nerve damage, also called neuropathy, can affect different parts of your body. For example, it can affect your arousal and reproduction abilities, leading to infertility if you are not able to get an erection. It also affects a female’s ability to be aroused. Nerve damage can also cause numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, excessive sweating, or conditions like restless leg syndrome. This makes it difficult to sleep and can be extremely frustrating to deal with.

 

To avoid these and other complications as a result of type 2 diabetes, see your doctor, take medications, and live a healthier lifestyle to manage your diabetes.

If you would like to receive a free resource sheet to help you take control of diabetes, click the button below to receive your gift.

 

, How Type 2 Diabetes Affects Your Body, Dr. Nicolle

 

I wanted to talk about this topic because it is absolutely possible to prevent and even reverse Type 2 Diabetes (but you cannot reverse Type 1).  Yes, it’s possible! and emerging studies looking at lifestyle medicine and prevention support this! But I always tell my patients that you must be dedicated and diligent in adopting a healthy lifestyle to get the best results. You can create certain behaviors and practices that will not only enrich your life, but that you can pass on to your family, friends, and community, to help break the cycle of this chronic disease so that you can leave a legacy of health to your loved ones.

 

I use functional medicine and lifestyle medicine as the first line of treatment, before medications, to treat lifestyle-related chronic diseases. Lifestyle-related chronic diseases include diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and some cancers, just to name a few. Lifestyle practices, such as eating a low glycemic, whole-food plant-based diet and regular physical activity, can help you improve your blood sugar levels, maybe reverse type 2 diabetes. In certain cases, these approaches may even outperform pharmaceutical therapy.

 

But I always tell my patients that conventional medications may be appropriate at this time to prevent catastrophic illness, but over time, you can work to make the necessary lifestyle changes to possibly reduce and/or eliminate medications. Please remember to always consult your physician for your particular needs and circumstances prior to making any decisions whatsoever.

 

Is Dietary Supplementation Right For You?

When it comes to managing your blood sugars (in general), pre-diabetes, and diabetes, there are many things that you can do to help control your blood sugar levels. One important aspect is diet. What you eat affects your blood sugar, so it’s important to be mindful of what goes into your body.

 

But it is very important to note that we are not eating the same foods we ate years ago because the soils have been depleted of critical nutrients through current industrial farming practices. And because the soil is not as good as it used to be, the food supply (grown from the depleted soil) is not as good as it used to be. For example, you are not getting the same levels of chromium and magnesium as you would have gotten 30 or even 50 years ago.

 

Second, much of the food has been processed and genetically altered, which can impact the inherent and unique nutritional composition that each food possess. For example, ancient einkorn wheat has less gluten, more protein, more Vitamin A, and more beta carotene, than modern genetically modified wheat.

 

Third, the toxic load in the environment today is much higher than 100 years ago. We can see this with global warming, toxic landfills, polluted oceans and waterways, etc. Toxicity levels interfere with nutrient assimilation and absorption not just into the foods, but into our bodies as well. We often see elevated blood sugar levels with poor nutrition and toxicity.

 

In addition to diet, there are dietary supplements that can have an impact on blood sugar levels. Dietary supplements for diabetes are becoming increasingly popular as people look for ways to improve their blood sugar control.

 

For some people, vitamin and mineral supplements offer important health benefits. Supplements are designed to fight deficiencies found in our diet and complement the food we eat regularly. Supplements are basically “helping hands” to our daily food.

 

If you suspect that you aren’t getting the nutrients you need, consider shifting your focus from supplements to eating better.

 

And if you are unable to eat better, the supplements in my Blood Sugar Support Bundle may provide the extra boost you need.

Blood Sugar Support Bundle

 

These are my favorite Diabetes Prevention Supplements to use! This Blood Sugar Support Bundle will ensure you have the intake of the important vitamins, minerals, and probiotics to decrease inflammation and boost your innate wellness day and night. Taken together, it’s a solid plan for increasing your body’s natural resiliency while encouraging healthy blood sugar levels.

 

For best results make sure you use these supplements with dietary changes including a whole food plant-based diet, regular exercise (at least 2-3x per week), regular sleep (8 hours per night), and intermittent fasting (at least 1-3x per week).

 

It’s important to note that supplements are NOT a replacement for your regular medication regimen prescribed by your doctor. However, they can be used in addition to help manage your blood sugar levels.

 

Supplements have the potential to interact with diabetes medications, so it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.  Have you tried any dietary supplements for your diabetes? Share your experience in the comments below!

 

Tools For Diabetes Prevention and Monitoring

Blood Sugar Monitoring

As you know, I always stress the importance of taking control of your health. Monitoring your blood sugar levels is one of the best ways to do this. To do this, a single drop of blood is collected with disposable lancets and placed on a disposable test strip, which you insert into a home blood-sugar monitoring device, called a glucometer.

 

The common times for checking your blood sugar are when you first wake up (fasting), before a meal, 2 hours after a meal, and at bedtime; however, you should check your blood sugar as many times a day as your health care team suggests.

 

Monitoring your blood sugar level provides you and your doctors with important knowledge about how food, activity, medication, stress, and other elements might affect your blood sugar levels. This data will assist you and your doctor in developing a therapy plan that is suited to your demands.

 

There are several types of blood glucose meters, lancets, and test strips to choose from. I often recommend this glucometer, lancets, and test strips.

 

Weight Monitoring

Since weight management is very important in combatting chronic diseases such as diabetes, I recommend that you be mindful of your weight and its fluctuations, and that you monitor your weight AT LEAST on a weekly basis. I recommend a scale that includes a body composition monitor (*this scale cannot be used with a pacemaker or other implanted devices).

 

Physical Activity

Physical activity (or exercise) can improve your health and reduce the risk of developing several chronic diseases like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, just to name a few. Physical activity actually improves insulin sensitivity. Physical activity can improve your mood, boost your immune system, and even help you maintain a healthy weight.

 

I often recommend yoga and resistance training for physical activity, but as you are aware, there are plenty of forms of “movement” that you can do! But for the basics, especially if you’re just getting started, yoga and resistance training are where I would start.

 

Yoga

Yoga can be a great way to improve your strength and flexibility, manage your stress, improve your heart health, and lose weight! I recommend using this yoga mat to get started with your yoga practice today!

 

Resistance Training

Resistance training is the mainstay for overall health. It not only has beneficial effects on reducing body fat, it also increases muscle size and strength. Here are some basic resistance bands that I recommend to everyone. They are great for physical therapy, yoga, strength training, and excellent for traveling.

, How Type 2 Diabetes Affects Your Body, Dr. Nicolle

Food!

Remember, living a healthy lifestyle including eating a whole foods plant-based diet and regular physical activity are the best ways to prevent diabetes.

 

The Diabetes Meal Plan is geared towards those people with diabetes or prediabetes. The foods are moderately low in carbs, low glycemic, fiber rich, and contain a balance of nutrients to help prevent blood sugar spikes and dips. Foods are also included that may help to lower blood sugar.

 

Cous Cous Turkey Power Bowl

 

Please talk with your doctor about any complementary health approaches, including supplements, you use.

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Last updated on January 28th, 2022 at 11:07 am

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