Naturopathic Approaches to Diabetes Management

According to the American Diabetes Association, 30.3 million Americans are living with diabetes and 1.5 million are diagnosed with diabetes every year.

Health Canada reports diabetes as a complex health problem and a national challenge. Close to 2.4 million Canadians living with diagnosed diabetes, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

A holistic view of patient care is paramount to naturopathic medicine.

In designing a treatment plan for diabetic patients, naturopathic doctors focus on the whole patient by recommending behavioral changes such as diet and exercise. Care is often co-managed with conventional endocrinologists and diabetes specialists in order to optimize patient outcomes.

“One of the major reasons naturopathic doctors can be a great asset to diabetes care is because we take the time needed to actually connect with the patient, educate the patient, and help them to take greater control over their own health,” says Dr. Turshá Hamilton, a naturopathic clinician at the National University of Health Sciences Whole Health Center. “There are so many conflicting stories about what it takes to be healthy, which foods are healthy, and what supplements are to be taken, that many patients are confused about steps to take to be healthy.”

There is more to diabetes management than test results.

“Diabetes care is not just about regulating glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c). Without a doubt, glycated hemoglobin is an appropriate biomarker of diabetes care, but diabetes care is complex as there are various co-morbidities, and diabetes itself is a risk factor for various conditions,” says Dr. Ellen Wong, an associate professor and clinic supervisor at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. “To appropriately manage diabetes, the following should be discussed: dietary and exercise recommendations, appropriate use of pharmaceutical and/or natural health products, frequency of self-monitored blood glucose checks, appropriate frequency of laboratory evaluations, and physical examinations.”

Naturopathic care “can be seen as essential first-tier treatment for diabetes type 2 patients,” according to Dr. John Furlong of the University of Bridgeport School of Naturopathic Medicine. “Our methods address the causes of most cases of this lifestyle-related condition and are effective at reducing the severity of the metabolic disturbances.” Dr. Furlong recognizes that patients must be willing to make the recommended diet and lifestyle changes in order to achieve results. However, “when physicians project a can-do approach and provide the materials to support these changes, success is attainable by most patients,” he says. “This approach is much less expensive both in the short term and in prevention of the typical long-term sequelae of diabetes.”

Dr. Brendan Smith at the Diabetes Center at Bastyr University adds, “The power lies mostly in the physician-patient relationship and pragmatic approaches that employ the ability of patients to take charge of their health.”

Dr. Turshá Hamilton treated a middle-aged woman with a new diagnosis, who was eager to get control of her blood sugar to avoid the more serious outcomes of the disease.

Dr. Hamilton counseled the patient on her diet, testing her blood sugar, and incorporating physical activity. After diet and lifestyle modifications and a few supplements, the patient began to lose weight, her energy increased, and her blood sugar stayed within normal limits.

Dr. Brendan Smith worked with middle-aged male patient who was looking for adjunctive diabetes care. His condition had worsened since diagnosis, and he wanted an alternative to way to control his blood glucose.

Dr. Smith’s team educated the patient about how lifestyle behaviors impact his diabetes. The patient’s family was brought into the discussion, and achievable goals were set. Over six months, the patient was able to significantly reduce his insulin and blood pressure medications.