It’s no secret that Diabetes is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease, but did you know there are early signs to look out for, allowing you to take action against it before it becomes unmanageable? That’s right! By understanding the telltale warning signs of pre-diabetes and diabetes, you can protect yourself from the danger lurking in your body. But don’t worry; we’re here to help! In this blog post, we’ll explore the essential information about this devastating health condition, so knowing how to spot its symptoms won’t be anything other than an advantage for both you and your loved ones.

A Lifestyle Condition

Are you feeling tired? 

Are you using the restroom very often and peeing a lot? 

Are you feeling more hungry than usual? 

Or are you losing weight? 

These could be very subtle signs of diabetes. With diabetes rapidly on the rise, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics report that over 50% of Americans have pre-diabetes or worse. If left untreated, this lifestyle disease only grows more severe with time, making prevention and early intervention key to curbing its spread.

I’m not against prescription medication. If you really need it, it’s a very good tool to have. However, not everybody requires prescription medication. You can reverse many diseases just by using diet, lifestyle, and the right nutrition tailored to your needs.

The Two Types 

There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. 

Type 1 Diabetes can strike at any age, from young children to individuals in their forties. It is an autoimmune disorder where antibodies created by the body attack vital organs such as the pancreas and prevent them from producing insulin. These people are dependent on insulin treatments to function normally day-to-day, a life-changing condition that should not be underestimated.

Type 2 diabetes is sadly quite common, but the good news is that it doesn’t have to be a family legacy you must carry. With strategic nutrition changes, insulin resistance can often be reduced significantly, giving your future generations hope for avoiding T2D altogether.

It’s an unfortunate truth that insulin resistance is one of the primary causes of Type 2 diabetes. As you read further, we will discuss it more in this post.

Insulin Resistance 

What does insulin resistance mean? 

This means the body has insulin and is trying to cope with the high blood sugars by producing more of it, but the cells’ receptor for insulin is not working. As a result, it cannot push the sugar in, and now the body has a surplus amount of sugar floating in the bloodstream.

Unraveling the enigma of insulin resistance can seem like an overwhelming challenge, but in reality, it’s far more complex than a few words could ever do justice. 

Diagnosing Diabetes

It is diagnosed by few simple blood tests. 

Hemoglobin A1C

When diagnosing diabetes, one key piece of information doctors look at is the Hemoglobin A1C, a blood test that measures what your average sugar levels have been for the past three months. While this test can be quite helpful in diagnosing diabetes, it is important to remember that it is not the only factor taken into account by physicians.

Two-Hour Glucose Tolerance Test

When diagnosing diabetes, the definitive test is usually a two-hour glucose tolerance test. During this test, you will first have your blood sugar checked prior to eating. Then, you will be given a loading dose of around 50 to 75 grams of glucose. 

Studies and tests are done at one-hour intervals in order to get the most accurate readings of your glucose levels. Finally, your results are analyzed according to the range of numbers your particular lab uses for diagnosing diabetes. With this simple test, you have everything you need to get an accurate diagnosis.

Fasting Insulin Test 

The fasting insulin test is an important tool in diagnosing diabetes. It’s a vital step for those trying to understand their bodies and the role that insulin plays in regulating blood sugar levels. This is done by measuring your insulin levels both before and after you eat. By taking a fasting insulin test, you can understand the way your body processes food, so you can make changes that could have long-lasting benefits in managing your health wisely.

C-Peptide Test

The C-peptide test is an essential tool in diagnosing diabetes since it helps measure how much insulin your pancreas is producing. This invaluable method of assessment can tell us quite accurately how much of the hormone is being released and, therefore, how best to treat the condition. If you’re ever concerned about your body’s production of insulin, then a C-peptide test could be the answer, giving you the reassurance that there are numbers that can help diagnose any potential issues.

For a comprehensive analysis of your diabetes health, try out these tests. Not only will they accurately diagnose any existing issues you may have, but they will also uncover the amount of insulin currently at your disposal, unlocking a deeper understanding of how to keep yourself healthy.

How is Diabetes treated?

Usually, with Type 2 diabetes, one can start with oral medications like Metformin. There are newer ones, namely the Sodium-Glucose Transport Protein (SGLT2), Januvia® (sitagliptin), and many other medications.

There are newer medications like Mounjaro® (tirzepatide), Ozempic® (semaglutide), and Trulicity® (dulaglutide), which are injectables. 

With these medications, you can control your diabetes and balance insulin resistance for healthier blood sugars. Although these drugs are only for managing diabetes.

A Focused Approach

If you really want to reverse your diabetes, you have to have a very focused approach. 

Nutrition

Your nutrition needs to be on point. While low-carb diets may work for some, it’s important to understand which carbs will give you a beneficial boost. Carbs with a lower glycemic index can help keep your blood sugar in check and provide lasting energy.

For those looking to maintain a balanced blood sugar level, the best options are leafy green vegetables and other low-glycemic-index foods. Millet and ragi flour are also excellent choices for keeping your body’s sugar levels in check. Meanwhile, dairy products as well as non-dairy alternatives such as coconut milk or almond yogurt can be helpful when it comes to eating healthier with lower glycemic indexes.

Incorporate more proteins like chicken, fish, and turkey into your diet, but be sure to limit high-glycemic-index fruits such as mangoes, grapes, bananas, and melons. Berries are infinitely better choices when including fruit in your meals. Other great selections include apples and oranges, which should always be taken with the help of an experienced nutritionist or practitioner.

Exercise and Movement

Exercise in any form is an excellent way to reduce insulin resistance. A good 30 – 45 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, including strength training, will be helpful to reduce insulin resistance and balance your blood sugar well.

Reduce Stress

Having high levels of cortisol in your body can wreak havoc on your overall health. The good news is, incorporating mindfulness and deep breathing exercises into daily life helps to keep this hormone at bay; leading to a more balanced metabolism and healthier blood sugar level.

Raise the Quality of your Sleep 

Quality sleep is essential for looking and feeling your best, as well as for reversing diabetes, boosting your immune system, maintaining a healthy weight, and controlling stress levels. While it’s important to start by understanding sleep fundamentals—consistency and sleep hygiene—you can also take extra steps to ensure that your sleep is the best it can be.

Good Gut Health 

Anchor Wellness has developed the 5R protocol to help you reverse diabetes. By removing inflammatory foods, repopulating good bacteria, and rebalancing your body—not to mention repairing that all-important gut lining and replacing missing digestive enzymes or stomach acid—it’s evident why focusing on these steps can be so beneficial.

Balanced Hormones 

As we age, the crucial hormones that help our bodies run like a well-oiled machine – including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone for women; and testosterone for men – start to decline. This can unleash an unhealthy chain reaction: increased insulin resistance means higher blood sugar levels. So don’t let your body’s inner workings fall out of balance – get those precious hormones back in check.

Time Restricted Feeding 

Cutting your normal eating window from 24/7 to 6-8 hours has become a growing trend for those looking to reduce their calorie intake and improve insulin regulation. Obviously, it’s important you talk with both yourself and your physician before embarking on any new health journey – after all, safety first! 

If you are taking insulin or wishing to make other changes in the way of food consumption then monitoring is key – but don’t worry; if kept under control these trendy diets can be an effective option worth exploring.

Prolonged Fasting 

It’s undeniable that fasting for a period of time can certainly have its nutritional benefits; however, it’s essential that those with diabetes consult with their doctor prior to doing this, regardless of whether they believe it’ll make them healthier or cause them to drop a few pounds. One should, after all, not put themselves in danger merely to trim down. Taking simple medical precautions to guarantee health and safety are key reasons why someone should consider talking to qualified professionals as soon as possible. 

Insulin and other medications need to be carefully tapered or stopped while they’re taking part in the fast, so remember: if you decide on an extended period of not eating, safety should always come first.

Diabetes is a serious disease, but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence. With the right lifestyle changes, you can reverse your diabetes and enjoy a healthy life. If you’re looking for help making these changes, we offer discovery calls so you can learn more about how functional medicine can help you heal. 

Are you looking for a way to take control of your health and put an end to pre-diabetes or diabetes? We understand that it can be daunting; however, our team is here with the guidance you need. To get started on this journey together, why not schedule a discovery call where we’ll determine if there’s potential for us work together – no strings attached! During this call, we can discuss your symptoms in more detail and come up with a plan tailored specifically for you.

In addition, join our Private Facebook Community so as part of an inspiring group committed to healthier living. What are you waiting for?

DISCLAIMER:  The information in this email is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is for general informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional