Sample Process:
Conventional vs Functional Medicine
Statistics
Type 2 Diabetes- Otherwise known at Metabolic Syndrome
100 Million Americans have Type 2 Diabetes
40-50% of American Adults have Pre-Diabetes
List of Contributing Factors:
Genetics | Fatty liver | Chronic inflammation | Low nutrients | Toxins | Poor gut and microbiome health | Autoimmune disease | Medications Excessive carb intake | High intake of refined carbs | Sugar intake | Alcohol intake | Stress | Sedentary lifestyle | Hypothyroid | Adrenal dysfunction
Comparing Conventional to Functional Medicine
Conventional
Functional Medicine
Diagnosis
Routine annual bloodwork shows fasting glucose levels > 99
Order labs for a Fasting Hemoglobin A1C
Hemoglobin A1C: 5.7%-6.4% Prediabetes, 6.5%+ Type 2 Diabetes
70-80% diagnoses with Type 2 Diabetes already have evidence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Insulin resistance emerges ~13 years prior to Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis
Diagnosis:
Routine annual bloodwork shows a trend of increasing fasting blood glucose to levels greater than 88. Greater than 90 usually indicates some level of insulin resistance.
Order labs for a Fasting Hemoglobin A1 and Fasting Insulin
Optimal Fasting Hemoglobin A1C: 4.5%-5.2%
Optimal Fasting Insulin 2-6
Check liver enzymes to ensure optimal function
High Insulin levels, Insulin resistance, and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease usually occur many years prior to an elevation in blood sugar levels
Treatment
Prescribe medications such as Metformin to improve insulin sensitivity and drive down blood sugar levels
Does not address the root cause
Drives excess sugar into the cells
EXCESS SUGAR IS TOXIC
Drives up oxidative stress which is linked to most diseases
Possibly told to improve diet and exercise more
Treatment
Reduce sugar input
Increase glucose utilization
Eliminate glucose storage as fat
Restore insulin sensitivity
Maintain new lifestyle
Long-Term Outlook
It is estimated that 50% of T2D patients will “need” insulin within 10 years of diagnosis
Supplemental insulin is designed to reduce oxidative damage due to high blood sugar levels in the short term, to protect the eyes, kidneys, nerves and other organs.
Promotes further insulin resistance, increases bodyfat, worsens Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and actually Increases Oxidative Stress and Damage
Insulin more than doubles the risk of CVD and death
Insulin’s negative effects increase in a dose-dependent fashion
Long-Term Outlook
Prevent or Reverse Type 2 Diabetes