Diabetes

The Heart Health and Wellness Center is focused on diabetes education and prevention. There are two main types of diabetes:

Type I Diabetes, also called insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes, is a type of autoimmune disease. The body's immune system attacks certain cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with diabetes have Type I Diabetes.

Type II Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In this type of diabetes, the pancreas still produces insulin, but it does not produce enough or it has trouble using it. Type II diabetes usually happens in the elderly and, more frequently, in those that are slightly overweight or, at least 20 to 50% above their normal weight. In certain ethnic groups, diabetes can occur at a relatively low body weight. This occurs more so in Asian populations, East Indian populations and Hispanic and Turkish populations. The reason for this is usually genetically low HDL-C, or "good" cholesterol levels. Therefore, the main driving forces of diabetes therapy are weight-loss, exercise, and raising HDL-C levels.

At The Heart Health and Wellness Center, we treat diabetes education in a different way than most practices, through careful attention to blood sugar after meals, even when the blood sugar levels are not considered at a diabetic level.

If the triglycerides are high and the HDL-C is low, or if the LDL-C, or "bad" cholesterol, and homocysteine is high, this is an indicator that the blood sugar rises after meals. In those cases, we take detailed blood sugar using a special glucose sensor for 72 hours. We analyze those results, composed of several hundred blood sugar readings. Based on those findings, we provide a treatment and prevention plan.

We believe that diabetes can be delayed or avoided if the patient is willing to work toward prevention and/or natural treatment. This is based on the approach of dealing with the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance early in its clinical phase, rather than waiting for a manifestation of increased insulin production and resistance.

To read about the services provided by our Certified Practitioner for Food Wellness and Diabetes Education, click here.