Diabetes Management

At Orion Holistic Care, we leverage the power of functional medicine to help patients manage diabetes and reverse insulin resistance. Functional medicine focuses on addressing the root causes of health problems, rather than just managing symptoms. For those dealing with diabetes, this approach offers a comprehensive, personalized path to wellness that goes beyond medications.

Understanding Diabetes and Insulin Resistance

Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. For many people, this results from insulin resistance, a condition in which the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, a hormone that regulates and stores glucose. Over time, this leads to higher blood glucose levels, contributing to long-term complications such as heart disease, kidney damage, and nerve damage.

At the heart of functional medicine is the understanding that diabetes isn’t just about blood sugar. It’s about identifying and correcting imbalances that can contribute to the condition, such as inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, poor diet, lack of exercise, hormonal imbalances, and stress.

The Functional Medicine Approach to Diabetes Management

At Orion Holistic Care, we take an in-depth look at your overall health to create a tailored plan for managing and reversing diabetes. Here’s how we approach treatment:

1. Comprehensive Lab Testing: We go beyond standard blood glucose tests. Our lab tests may include hormone levels, inflammation markers, and nutrient deficiencies. This helps us get a full picture of your metabolic health and pinpoint the root causes of your condition.

2. Personalized Nutrition: Proper diet is critical for diabetes management. Instead of generic recommendations, we provide personalized nutrition plans based on your specific needs, helping you regulate blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance. Foods rich in fiber, healthy fats, and lean protein are key components of a diabetes-friendly diet.

3. Lifestyle Modifications: Diabetes management isn’t just about food; lifestyle factors like stress, sleep, and exercise play an important role. Stress can lead to spikes in blood sugar, and a lack of sleep can worsen insulin sensitivity. We guide patients in making lifestyle changes that promote blood glucose stability.

4. Exercise and Movement: Regular physical activity helps improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose levels. We work with patients to develop sustainable exercise plans, tailored to their fitness level and health goals.

5. Supplements and Nutraceuticals: In addition to lifestyle changes, supplements can be a useful tool in managing diabetes. For example, berberine, alpha-lipoic acid, and chromium have been shown to help with blood sugar regulation. These supplements are chosen based on the individual needs of each patient.

6. Addressing Root Causes: One of the biggest differences between conventional care and functional medicine is the focus on root causes. In the case of diabetes, this could mean addressing underlying conditions such as inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and gut health issues. By tackling these, we help patients improve their insulin sensitivity and overall metabolic health.