How diabetes can be managed using functional medicine

Are you living with diabetes, one of the most challenging diseases? Have you tried implementing food and lifestyle modifications or functional medicine to manage diabetes or obesity? 

Diabetes is one of the most stressful and serious chronic diseases a person can face, and the prevalence of diabetes is expected to rise in the future, affecting more than 8.5 percent of the global population. If you are looking for a dpc physician in Latham, Dr. AC Jones, MD, is always there to help you!

The Functional medicine model for diabetes:

Diet

Dietary changes are at the center of diabetes management and treatment. Carbohydrates should be limited each day to about 15% of total calories. The type of carbohydrate also matters. The majority of your carbohydrate intake should come from high-fiber, whole-food vegetables, with the rest coming from whole fruits, whole grains, and full-fat dairy (if tolerated). After a meal, combining carbohydrates with a healthy fat or protein can help reduce glucose spikes and insulin levels.

Gluten can have a negative impact on people with chronic illnesses, as per functional medicine. It increases intestinal permeability, creates inflammation, and thereby can lead to insulin resistance.

Exercise

Physical activity does not have to be intense training or long hours at the gym. Preventing and managing diabetes can be accomplished with 30 minutes of exercise a day. Aerobic exercise, such as jogging, biking, or swimming, is the most effective type of exercise for controlling blood sugar levels. Look for ways to interrupt a sedentary lifestyle each day. To know more about different types of exercises, consult Dr. AC Jones, MD, who provides family medicine in Latham.

Sleep

The majority of Americans do not get enough sleep, and studies now show that sleeping less than 7-8 hours per night is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Second, due to the lack of oxygen, while sleeping, people with sleep apnea are more likely to develop diabetes. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night, avoid eating between dinner and bedtime, and limit blue light from electronic screens 2 hours before bedtime for proper sleep hygiene.

Stress

Another risk factor for diabetes is chronic stress. Blood sugar imbalances, beta-cell dysfunction, and insulin resistance are all caused by stress hormones that are continuously activated over time. Meditation, deep breathing, visualizations, and yoga are all effective stress-reduction techniques.

Environmental Toxins

Environmental toxins build up in our bodies, contributing to the development and progression of a variety of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes. BPA, phthalates, pesticides, and PCBs are just a few of the main culprits.

Consult a Functional Medicine provider for managing Diabetes

Diabetes management necessitates regular medical monitoring of certain things that are frequently affected by diabetes. Diabetes is a true insulin-related disorder; fortunately, insulin is one of the simplest hormones to manage and can have a significant impact on many aspects of your health other than blood sugar. 

We encourage that you work with our esteemed direct primary care physician in Latham, Dr. AC Jones, MD, right away. He is also a reputed Functional Medicine provider who understands your unique needs and helps you develop an action plan towards restoring your health and make your diabetes a thing of the past. 

To consult him, you can either book a Telemedicine Appointment or Home visit. Our Telehealth services are powered by PatientMD and are absolutely safe and easy to use. You can receive quality care from anywhere! To learn more about how Functional Medicine can help you, please call our office today at 518-350-4465 or fill out our Contact Us form.