Reversing Diabetes Type 2 and Insulin Resistance 

Blood sugar problems come in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes blood sugar gets too high, other times it gets too low. No matter which direction it goes--too high OR too low, if your body can't regulate its blood sugar and keep it within a certain healthy range, this causes massive health issues throughout the whole body.  What kinds of problems?  Look all around; you'll see them.  If your cells don't have a consistent fuel supply (such as if it's too high, too low, or up and down), this causes inflammation, adrenal problems, energy problems, difficulty making and regulating neurotransmitters, absorbing nutrients, fighting infections, and repairing cell damage.  This manifests as all of the chronic diseases we all see every day - chronic fatigue, insomnia, depression, premature aging, digestive problems, nutrient deficiencies, allergies, frequent colds and flues, chronic aches and pains, irritability, energy highs and lows, the need for afternoon naps, heart disease, Alzheimer's Disease, obesity, diabetes, joint pain, and high cholesterol.

Do any of these symptoms apply to you?
* Get lightheaded or shaky between meals
* Get irritable between meals
* Feel faint and/or light-headed, especially when standing up
* Nervousness, anxiety
* Sweating, trembling
* Weakness
* Heart palpitations
* Nausea in the morning
* Eating relieves fatigue
* Cognitive decline

If any of those sound familiar, your blood sugar may be too low. While excessive blood sugar is not good, not having enough is just as bad. The brain depends on glucose. If it doesn't have a consistent supply, brain cells start to suffer very quickly. You don't want brain cells to become unhealthy!

Let's switch gears - how about these?
* Crave sweets after meals
* Fatigue/sleepy/siesta after meals
* Weight gain, especially around the abdomen
* Waist is just as wide as, or wider than, your hips
* Eating sweets doesn't relieve sugar cravings
* High cholesterol levels
* Elevated blood pressure

These are all symptoms of a condition known as Insulin Resistance, which means your cells already have too much sugar inside them. Since insulin is what brings sugar to cells, the sugar-stuffed cells close their shades and curtains, pretending not to see insulin. This is the final stop before developing full-blown diabetes.

And if you have these?
* Tingling, burning, or pain in the hands and/or feet
* Increased or frequent appetite, thirst, or urination
* Slow wound healing
* Slow recovery from infections
* Blurry vision
* Weight loss or muscle wasting
* Yeast infections, vaginal or in folds of skin (under breasts or in the groin)
* Severe gum problems
* History of obesity

These symptoms usually mean that Insulin Resistance has indeed transitioned to an actual diabetic condition. Type 2 Diabetes is kind of like Insulin Resistance on steroids. This is when conventional medicine starts suggesting you take insulin shots. However, considering what is actually going on, this approach patches the symptom of high blood sugar, but it makes the body's cells even more resistant to insulin, which only adds fuel to the fire, keeping a vicious cycle going.

How big of a problem is diabetes? According to the American Diabetes Association, about 23.6 million people have it. Of those, 5.7 million don't know they have it. Something even scarier is, more than TWICE as many (57 MILLION people) are in early pre-diabetic stages. Unless something is done to get their blood sugar back under control NOW, they will go on to develop diabetes, too.

We've heard it all. We know all about the insulin, the fact that diabetes is lifelong, that it's not reversible, the fact that you have to find sugar-free "diet" versions of all your favorite foods - right? Wrong.

Have you searched on the internet for meal plan examples that are good for those with diabetes? How does this sound?

Breakfast

• 1 slice of toasted whole wheat bread with 1 tsp margarine
• 1/4 cup oatmeal
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1/2 small banana

Lunch

• 1 cup vegetable soup with 4-6 crackers
• 1 turkey sandwich (2 slices of bread, 1 oz turkey, 1 oz low-fat cheese, 1 tsp of mayo)
• 1 small apple

Dinner

• 4 oz broiled chicken breast
• 2/3 cup cooked brown rice
• 1 small whole grain dinner roll with 1 tsp margarine
• Tossed salad with 2 tbsp low-fat salad dressing
• 4 unsweetened canned apricot halves or 1 small slice of angel food cake

And if you want to snack? Pick any two:

• 16 fat-free tortilla chips with salsa
• 1/2 cup artificially sweetened chocolate pudding
• 1 oz string cheese plus a small piece of fruit
• 3 cups of "lite" popcorn

The above came off of WebMD as a sample plan recommended for those with diabetes. When people with diabetes search for recommendations on what to eat, they're going to stumble across this plan. Do you think this sounds healthy?

It's NOT. This is NOT the way to go. Someone following this diet will hardly ever actually improve or recover.

Why?

• Too many carbs - this many carbohydrates practically guarantees that not only will you never lose weight, you'll only gain.
• Too many trans-fats - the trans-fats in the WebMD example only prevent you from getting your good essential fats, without giving you any benefits
• Not enough good fat - without enough fat telling your brain you're full, you'll only keep eating
• Not enough vegetables - vegetables contain minerals, some vitamins, fiber, water, and many other beneficial compounds good for fighting cancer and preventing premature aging. They also help regulate blood sugar.
• Not enough fiber - fiber not only slows the absorption of glucose, but it also keeps the digestive tract clean and healthy, which gives the liver a break - and you WANT your liver to be healthy - among many other things, it regulates blood sugar for you!
• Not enough protein - protein is needed for good metabolism and for tissue integrity, which is already at risk in someone with diabetes
• Too many neurotoxins - especially in artificial sweeteners, flavors, soups, chips, and seasonings. Neurotoxins, through various mechanisms, drive people to overeat.

Did you know that once they've learned how, many diabetic people make smart, supervised diet and lifestyle choices and end up not needing to take insulin? Or maybe they still need to, but they can do very well on LESS. Or maybe they can REVERSE Diabetes Type 2 altogether! Yes, this IS possible, and without insulin!

Our Personal Programs are an excellent place to start.

Dr. Lara Sweeney addresses blood sugar issues from top to bottom.  She uses:

• Functional Endocrinology, a state-of-the-art discipline based on TODAY'S science, not that of 50 years ago
• A scientifically valid Nutrition Plan tailored to YOUR needs, goals, and physiology. It's effective and actually fun to follow, without leaving you feeling deprived. You'd never guess you were on a "diet"!
• Potent natural compounds to enhance specific mechanisms of blood sugar metabolism. The protocols she uses are backed by the most up-to-date research available and tailored to the individual person.
• A scientifically valid Physical Activity program tailored to activities YOU enjoy, that doesn't overwork or underwhelm you. The days of hours on a treadmill are OVER - see how EFFICIENT exercise can be!

With Dr. Sweeney, you'll be able to:

• Balance your blood sugar, often without insulin!
• Never feel hungry or deprived again
• Identify which foods you CAN have that you thought you couldn't - and which foods you SHOULD stay away from! (You'd be surprised!)
  
• Eat SMART for your body and your brain - not too much, not too little
• Break free from the persistent politically-correct dietary myths and conventional wisdom that are only making our country sicker and more frustrated, not healthier

Together, we'll find a real meal plan you can live with, where you can eat foods you like, discover new foods you didn't know you liked, feel satisfied and happy, get more energy, and possibly get off insulin for good! Diabetes Type 2 doesn't have to be lifelong; don't just throw in the towel.