Diabetes
By Dr. Ayo Bankole

Natural Medicine Best in Treating Diabetes
If you are diabetic, you probably give great concern to your blood sugar levels knowing that long-term derangements put you on the fast track to kidney failure, blindness, chronic skin ulcers, amputations, infections and cardiovascular disease.  Most diabetes (type I and type II) rarely achieve consistent, well-maintained blood sugar levels, in spite of oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin.  If you are diabetic, know that you can achieve tight blood sugar control and prevent the ravishing complications of diabetes with the help of a naturopathic doctor.   

The Growing Epidemic
Disorders in blood sugar metabolism affect 34 million Americans; 18 million having diabetes mellitus and the remaining 16 million having a “pre-diabetic” condition termed metabolic syndrome.  Diabetes is increasingly common and is being diagnosed in larger numbers of young children.  Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the US.  The most common form of diabetes mellitus is type II, which comprises 90% of all diabetics cases.  With obesity being the single most important cause of insulin resistance (the hallmark of type II diabetes), the role of medical nutrition, exercise and weight loss can’t be underestimated. 

Laboratory Testing & Monitoring
Unfortunately, many individuals are diabetic or have metabolic syndrome, but do not know it.  Metabolic syndrome carries an impending risk of diabetes with all of its complications if not recognized and corrected.  Risk factors for metabolic syndrome include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides and obesity.  Naturopathic doctors screen for, monitor and diagnose diabetes and metabolic syndrome using conventional fasting and after meal glucose measurements, hemoglobin A1c testing, kidney function studies and other blood work. 

Treatment of Diabetes
Improved blood sugar can be achieved by following a few principles.  A whole foods diet favoring healthy proteins like lean meats and eliminating refined carbohydrates is a prerequisite for the natural control of blood sugar.  Rather than emphasizing oral anti-hyperglycemic agents and insulin, we use customized formulations of nutritional supplements and botanical medicines such as Gymnema, Cinnamonium, Galega, bitter melon, alpha-lipoic acid, bilberry and chromium to improve the utilization of blood glucose, increase insulin sensitivity and prevent the complications of diabetes.  Exercise burns fat, improves metabolism and lowers blood sugar, and is the best way to improve insulin sensitivity.  These measures are proven to control blood sugar in type II diabetics and can lesson or negate the need for medications.  Rather than suggesting you simply exercise and improve your diet, naturopathic doctors give specific and individualized instructions on a diet appropriate for controlling blood sugar; teaching patients the specifics on low glycemic foods, healthy fats, proteins and proper food ratios for you. 

Whether you are a type I or type II diabetic, naturopathic medicine is used to successfully lower your blood sugar, decrease your risk of complications and decrease your reliance on medications.  Naturopathic doctors are trained to prescribe natural blood sugar lowering medicines in the proper dosages and combinations.  With proper a plan of action, diabetes is preventable and reversible. 

Dr. Ayo Bankole is a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor in Riverside.  He uses natural medicines such as nutritional supplementation, botanical medicine and clinical nutrition to help individuals improve cardiovascular health, blood sugar control, weight management and other health concerns.  He can be reached at 951-801-2302