Nicolette: 0:01

Welcome to the Health Pulse, your go-to source for quick, actionable insights on health, wellness and diagnostics. Whether you're looking to optimize your well-being or stay informed about the latest in medical testing, we've got you covered. Join us as we break down key health topics in just minutes. Let's dive in.

Rachel: 0:25

Alright, welcome back to the Deep Dive. If you're here, you're probably the kind of person who likes to get to the bottom of things, really understand how things work. And today, well, we're going deep on something that affects a lot of people Type 2 diabetes but we're looking at it through a different lens. We're talking about functional medicine.

Mark: 0:45

Yeah, functional medicine. It kind of shakes things up a bit, you know, and we've been digging into this article called how Functional Medicine is Changing the Way we Treat Diabetes.

Rachel: 0:54

So this deep dive, it's like a crash course really to help you grasp this whole new perspective on diabetes, all without drowning in technical terms.

Mark: 1:03

We're pulling out the really key stuff, the stuff that will actually make a difference in how you understand this evolving approach to diabetes.

Rachel: 1:11

So you know, if you've ever felt like, ok, there's got to be more to this than just chasing blood sugar numbers all the time, well, stick around, you are definitely in the right place.

Mark: 1:20

You're in for a treat really.

Rachel: 1:21

OK, so you know the article we're looking at it starts off by pointing out something kind of frustrating. You know, even with all the treatments and awareness campaigns out there, lots of people who have type 2 diabetes, they're still struggling, they're still facing some pretty significant challenges.

Mark: 1:38

Yeah, and the article kind of makes you think maybe a big part of that, a big part of why people are still struggling, is that conventional medicine. A lot of times it's really focused on managing that high blood sugar, the number itself.

Rachel: 1:50

Right, like just trying to keep that number down.

Mark: 1:53

Exactly. But the thing is high blood sugar. That's just a symptom, it's not the root cause, you know.

Rachel: 1:58

So it's like constantly mopping up a spill on the floor but never actually turning off the faucet.

Mark: 2:03

Perfect analogy yeah.

Rachel: 2:04

Yeah, yeah.

Mark: 2:04

And that's where functional medicine comes in. You see, instead of just zeroing in on that blood sugar number in isolation, it looks at type 2 diabetes as this, like multifaceted, complex condition.

Rachel: 2:16

So it's not just about blood sugar.

Mark: 2:17

No, it's about your whole system really your metabolism, your hormones, your digestion, even your immune system. They're all tied in.

Rachel: 2:25

So your metabolism, your hormones, your digestion, even your immune system they're all tied in, so it really is a whole body approach.

Mark: 2:26

It is, and the question in functional medicine becomes not what's your blood sugar, but why is your blood sugar high. It's about finding the specific imbalances in all those interconnected systems, you know, figuring out what's really driving the problem.

Rachel: 2:42

So the goal becomes less about just lowering the number and more about restoring this like harmony, this balance in the body.

Mark: 2:49

Right, exactly, it's about getting to the root cause, treating the whole person, not just the symptom.

Rachel: 2:55

OK, so what are some of these underlying imbalances that functional medicine looks at? The article dives into a few key areas. First up, insulin resistance. I feel like we hear that term a lot, but functional medicine really tries to understand what's behind it.

Mark: 3:09

Yeah, it goes deeper, doesn't it? It looks at things like chronic inflammation, carrying around extra weight, stress that just doesn't let up, and even not getting enough good quality sleep.

Rachel: 3:18

Yeah, sleep is so important.

Mark: 3:20

It is, and the article points out that insulin resistance it's not like this isolated glitch in your system. It's often the result of these other things weighing the system down, you know, like the inflammation, the extra weight, the stress. And speaking of inflammation, the article really emphasizes with how insulin talks to your cells, how it signals, and that disruption can then lead to a whole cascade of other health issues.

Rachel: 3:52

It's like a domino effect.

Mark: 3:53

Yeah, exactly.

Rachel: 3:54

And then you know we've talked before about how the gut is this incredibly complex and important part of our health, and the article it really highlights how crucial the gut is for blood sugar regulation.

Mark: 4:06

Oh, absolutely, and you know things like imbalances in the gut microbiome, that's like the trillions of bacteria and other microbes living in your digestive tract.

Rachel: 4:14

It's mind-blowing when you think about it.

Mark: 4:16

It is, isn't it? And then there's leaky gut, where the lining of your intestines becomes more permeable than it should be.

Rachel: 4:23

Like things are passing through. That shouldn't be.

Mark: 4:25

Exactly, and both of these the gut microbiome imbalance and leaky gut. They're being increasingly linked to problems with blood sugar.

Rachel: 4:34

It's amazing how connected everything in the body is.

Mark: 4:37

It really is Everything's talking to each other.

Rachel: 4:39

And speaking of interconnected systems, the article also brings up hormonal imbalances. It's not just about insulin, right, right.

Mark: 4:46

It's not just insulin. Other hormones like cortisol, our stress hormone, thyroid hormones and even our sex hormones. They all play a big role in how our bodies handle energy.

Rachel: 4:57

And, of course, energy is directly tied to blood sugar.

Mark: 5:00

Right, and if those hormones are out of balance it can really throw things off, make it harder for your body to regulate blood sugar effectively.

Rachel: 5:07

That's like a delicate dance.

Mark: 5:09

Yeah, it is. And speaking of things being off, there's something else the article highlights that I think a lot of people don't really think about, and that's nutrient deficiencies. It suggests that even if you're eating enough calories overall, you could still be missing out on key vitamins and minerals.

Rachel: 5:25

Interesting. So it's not just about the quantity of food but the quality.

Mark: 5:29

Right. And when it comes to blood sugar, certain nutrients like magnesium, chromium, vitamin D and those B vitamins they're absolutely essential for how your body processes glucose. If you're low in these, it can really throw a wrench in the works.

Rachel: 5:43

It's like trying to bake a cake without all the ingredients.

Mark: 5:46

Exactly. It's just not going to turn out right. And finally, the article touches on something we all know we should probably do more of physical activity, and it's not just about burning calories.

Rachel: 5:55

Right, there's more to it.

Mark: 5:56

Yeah, A sedentary lifestyle where you're sitting most of the time. It directly impacts how sensitive your cells are to insulin, which makes it much harder for your body to keep that blood sugar in check.

Rachel: 6:08

It's like your body forgets how to use that insulin efficiently.

Mark: 6:11

In a way. Yeah, so you know, moving your body regularly is crucial for blood sugar control.

Rachel: 6:17

So we've talked about some of the key areas that functional medicine looks at when it comes to type 2 diabetes Insulin resistance, inflammation, gut health, hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies and even physical activity. But how does this approach actually translate into testing? What kind of testing are we talking about, beyond the usual blood glucose checks?

Mark: 6:39

Well, what's really cool about functional testing is that it aims to go beyond just those standard blood sugar readings or the HbA1c test, which gives you an average over a few months. It's really designed to get to those root causes we've been discussing, so it's more in-depth, much more. For example, the article mentions checking your fasting insulin levels, often along with your glucose levels, to calculate something called HOAR. It stands for homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance. It's a mouthful, but basically it can give you an early indication of how hard your body's working to keep your blood sugar balanced.

Rachel: 7:14

So you're seeing how the body's compensating before things get really out of whack. Exactly, it's like an early warning system, yeah that's really interesting, and the article also mentions high sensitivity C-reactive protein, or HSCRP.

Mark: 7:25

Right, hscrp. That's a marker of general inflammation in your body and, as we've talked about, inflammation is a huge driver of insulin resistance and all those other related problems. So if your HSCRP is high, that can be a pretty important clue.

Rachel: 7:41

It's like a red flag. It can be yeah, okay. And then there are these tests for adiponectin and leptin. I'm not sure I've heard of those before.

Mark: 7:49

They're really interesting hormones, actually Adiponectin and leptin. They help regulate your appetite, they tell your body where to store fat and they also play a role in how sensitive you are to insulin. So if their levels are off, it can really signal some underlying metabolic dysfunction.

Rachel: 8:06

So it could explain why someone's struggling with their weight or their blood sugar, even if they feel like they're doing all the right things.

Mark: 8:12

Exactly. It can help to connect the dots.

Rachel: 8:14

And then, of course, there's the testing for those micronutrient levels. We discussed things like magnesium, vitamin D, chromium and the B vitamins.

Mark: 8:21

Right, because knowing if you're deficient in any of these essential nutrients can really help tailor your diet or determine if you might benefit from supplements.

Rachel: 8:30

And then, given the focus on the gut in functional medicine, it makes sense that comprehensive stool testing would be part of the picture.

Mark: 8:38

Oh, absolutely, those advanced gut panels like the GI map or Genova GI effects. They can provide a super detailed look at the balance of bacteria in your gut, the level of inflammation in your digestive tract and how well that gut lining is actually functioning. All of those things can have a big impact on insulin resistance.

Rachel: 8:57

And finally, the article mentions testing thyroid function and cortisol levels.

Mark: 9:01

Right, because you know we've been talking about how interconnected everything is, and your hormonal system and your metabolic health. They're like best friends. They're constantly talking to each other. So understanding how your thyroid hormones are functioning and what your cortisol levels are doing, it can really complete the picture of what might be contributing to blood sugar imbalances.

Rachel: 9:20

It's like putting together a puzzle.

Mark: 9:22

Yeah, exactly, and the great thing about all of this testing all these pieces of the puzzle, is that it allows for a much more personalized treatment plan. You're addressing the specific imbalances that are unique to each person, which is really at the heart of functional medicine.

Rachel: 9:37

So once you have this much clearer idea of what's going on beneath the surface, how does functional medicine actually approach treatment? The article talks a lot about nutrition as medicine.

Mark: 9:48

That's a big one. Yeah, it's this idea that the food you eat isn't just fuel. It's actually a powerful tool that can directly impact your health.

Rachel: 9:56

So food becomes medicine.

Mark: 9:58

Exactly Making strategic changes to your diet can be a really effective way to address insulin resistance and get those blood sugar levels back on track.

Rachel: 10:06

And, as we've been saying, it's all about personalization right, Taking into account your individual biology, your inflammation levels and all those lab results we just talked about.

Mark: 10:14

Absolutely. There's no one-size-fits-all approach here.

Rachel: 10:16

Okay, so the article really emphasizes focusing on whole low-glycemic foods. Can you break down what that looks like in practice?

Mark: 10:24

Sure, Basically, you're building your diet around foods that don't cause those rapid spikes in your blood sugar. You know, foods that are less processed and more natural.

Rachel: 10:32

So lots of fruits and vegetables.

Mark: 10:35

Well, lots of non-starchy vegetables, for sure. Things like leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, onions, fruits are a bit trickier because they do contain sugar, so you want to be mindful of portions and choose lower glycemic options like berries.

Rachel: 10:50

Okay, makes sense. And what about other things like grains and protein and fat?

Mark: 10:55

Yeah, so for grains, if you tolerate them, well, you're looking at high fiber options like legumes and whole grains, but for some people, grains can be inflammatory, so it really depends on the individual. For protein, you've got lean sources like fish, poultry, beans, lentils. And healthy fats are really important too, things like avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil. These help you feel full and satisfied and they don't spike your blood sugar.

Rachel: 11:18

So it's a balanced approach.

Mark: 11:19

Exactly no-transcript. Right. There's real data showing that these food choices can make a difference.

Rachel: 11:42

And the article also brings up the Mediterranean and anti-inflammatory diets, which we hear about a lot for general wellness. How do those tie into managing diabetes specifically?

Mark: 11:53

Well, the Mediterranean diet. It's naturally high in those whole low glycemic foods we just talked about, Things like vegetables, olive oil, fish, legumes. It's also a good source of fiber and it's naturally anti-inflammatory, which is huge given what we know about inflammation and insulin resistance.

Rachel: 12:10

And what about the anti-inflammatory diet? Is that pretty similar?

Mark: 12:13

Yeah, it overlaps quite a bit with the Mediterranean diet. It emphasizes whole unprocessed foods, healthy fats and plenty of fruits and vegetables. It also limits things like refined sugars, processed meats and unhealthy fats, all of which can contribute to inflammation.

Rachel: 12:29

And both of these diets. They're not just about managing diabetes, right, they're good for overall health.

Mark: 12:35

Exactly. They're associated with a lower risk of heart disease, certain cancers and even cognitive decline.

Rachel: 12:41

So it's a win-win.

Mark: 12:42

It is, and what's great is that they're both pretty enjoyable and sustainable ways of eating long term. It's not like some crazy restrictive diet. It's about making healthy choices that you can stick with.

Rachel: 12:52

And the article also touches on this idea of really personalizing diets even further, mentioning things like elimination diets and food sensitivity testing.

Mark: 13:01

Yeah, because for some people, specific foods can actually trigger inflammation or other symptoms that can worsen blood sugar control.

Rachel: 13:08

So it's about finding what works for you.

Mark: 13:11

Right Elimination diets, where you temporarily remove common culprits like gluten, dairy or certain types of oils can help you figure out if any of these foods are contributing to your symptoms.

Rachel: 13:21

Like a process of elimination.

Mark: 13:27

Exactly, and food sensitivity testing can also offer some insights. Especially if you're dealing with gut issues or have signs of autoimmunity, it can give you more clues about what foods might be problematic for you specifically.

Rachel: 13:34

And it's not just what you eat, but also when and how you eat that can impact blood sugar, according to the article. That's interesting.

Mark: 13:41

It is, yeah, functional medicine looks at the timing and balance of your macronutrients your proteins, fats and carbs. For example, having protein and fiber early in the day can help stabilize your blood sugar and prevent those big spikes after meals.

Rachel: 13:55

So like a protein-rich breakfast.

Mark: 13:58

Exactly, and eating your carbs after you've had some protein or healthy fats can also help slow down the absorption of glucose and reduce the demand on your insulin.

Rachel: 14:07

So it's about being strategic with your meals.

Mark: 14:09

It is, and the article even mentions time-restricted eating and intermittent fasting as strategies that might benefit some people. These approaches can help improve your metabolic flexibility, which is your body's ability to switch between using different fuel sources.

Rachel: 14:24

So it's not just about what's on your plate, it's also about when you eat.

Mark: 14:28

Right, and the goal is to help your body become more efficient at regulating its energy, reducing inflammation and maintaining those steady energy levels throughout the day.

Rachel: 14:38

Okay, so beyond diet, the article really emphasizes that lifestyle interventions are a key part of this approach, not just something extra you do if you have time.

Mark: 14:47

Right, it's not just about food. Functional medicine recognizes how much things like stress, physical activity, sleep quality and even exposure to environmental toxins can impact your overall metabolic health. It's all connected.

Rachel: 15:00

So let's talk about movement. We all know we should exercise, but the article highlights some specific ways that movement can help with blood sugar.

Mark: 15:07

Yeah, it's not just about hitting the gym for hours every day. The article points out that even small, consistent habits like taking a short walk after meals can make a noticeable difference in lowering those post-meal blood sugar spikes.

Rachel: 15:21

So every little bit helps.

Mark: 15:23

It does. And then there's resistance training, which helps build muscle. Muscle is great because it actually uses up glucose even when you're at rest.

Rachel: 15:31

So the more muscle you have, the better your body is at handling sugar.

Mark: 15:34

Exactly, and the key is consistency. Have the better your body is at handling sugar. Exactly, and the key is consistency, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week. That can really improve your HbA1c levels and lower your risk of complications.

Rachel: 15:46

And then there's the connection between sleep and our metabolism, something that article really highlights. I think a lot of people underestimate how important sleep is for our health.

Mark: 15:55

Oh, absolutely. When you don't get enough sleep. It messes with your hormones and it can actually increase your insulin resistance, raise your cortisol levels and even make you feel hungrier and more prone to cravings.

Rachel: 16:06

So lack of sleep makes it harder to manage blood sugar.

Mark: 16:09

It does, and it can even increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the first place.

Rachel: 16:14

Wow, so sleep is really crucial.

Mark: 16:16

It's donational. And then there's stress, chronic stress which seems to play a role in so many health issues, it does. The article explains how chronic stress keeps those cortisol levels elevated, which can then raise your blood sugar and make your body less sensitive to insulin. It's a vicious cycle.

Rachel: 16:32

So managing stress is crucial for blood sugar control as well.

Mark: 16:36

It is, and functional medicine often incorporates stress management techniques like mindfulness, meditation, breathing exercises or yoga to help people regulate their blood sugar and improve their overall well-being.

Rachel: 16:48

So it's not just about addressing the physical aspects, it's also about the mental and emotional aspects.

Mark: 16:53

Right, it's about addressing the whole person.

Rachel: 16:55

And finally, the article brings up something that I think sometimes gets overlooked exposure to environmental toxins.

Mark: 17:01

Yeah, it's not something we always think about, but certain toxins we encounter regularly, like BPA and plastics, phthalates and personal care products and heavy metals, they can actually mess with our hormones and interfere with our glucose metabolism.

Rachel: 17:15

So even things in our environment can impact our blood sugar.

Mark: 17:19

They can, and that's one of the things that makes functional medicine so unique. It takes this really comprehensive view, looking at all the potential factors that could be contributing to your health issues.

Rachel: 17:30

So we've talked about diet, lifestyle and the environment, but the article also discusses the use of supplements and botanical medicines in functional medicine.

Mark: 17:38

Yeah, and it's important to note that these aren't meant to replace healthy habits. They're used strategically to support specific pathways in the body or address nutrient deficiencies that might be contributing to blood sugar imbalances.

Rachel: 17:51

So they're like tools in the toolbox.

Mark: 17:53

Exactly Right and they're used in a personalized way, based on those detailed lab results we talked about earlier.

Rachel: 17:59

The article gives some specific examples, like berberine.

Mark: 18:02

Right Berberine. It's a natural compound found in certain plants that has shown some really promising results in improving insulin sensitivity and lowering blood sugar, and it seems to work in a similar way to metformin, a common diabetes medication, by activating an enzyme called AMPK.

Rachel: 18:19

Interesting, and myonositol is another one that's mentioned.

Mark: 18:22

Yeah, myonositol is a type of sugar alcohol that plays a role in insulin signaling. It's been found to be helpful for people with metabolic syndrome or PCOS, and it might help lower fasting insulin levels as well.

Rachel: 18:34

And then there's magnesium, which we hear about all the time for various health reasons.

Mark: 18:38

Absolutely. Magnesium is involved in so many processes in the body, including inflanaction and glucose uptake, and a lot of people with diabetes are deficient in magnesium, so supplementing can be really beneficial.

Rachel: 18:51

And chromium picolinate is another one on the list.

Mark: 18:53

Yeah, chromium is a trace mineral that helps insulin do its job better, and some studies suggest that chromium picolinate might improve glucose tolerance, especially in people with type 2 diabetes.

Rachel: 19:04

And then there's alpha lipoic acid or ALA.

Mark: 19:11

ALA is a powerful antioxidant that can help protect against cell damage, and it's also shown some potential for improving insulin sensitivity and reducing nerve pain associated with diabetes.

Rachel: 19:18

And finally cinnamon extract, specifically Ceylon cinnamon.

Mark: 19:21

Right Ceylon cinnamon. Some research suggests that it might help lower those aftermeal blood sugar spikes and improve fasting glucose levels.

Rachel: 19:29

So there are quite a few options out there.

Mark: 19:31

There are, but the article really emphasizes that it's always crucial to talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements, especially if you're already taking medications, just to make sure everything is safe and compatible.

Rachel: 19:43

So, with this comprehensive approach addressing root causes, personalized nutrition, lifestyle changes and targeted supplementation, what does the research show about the possibility of managing or even reversing type 2 diabetes?

Mark: 19:57

Well, this is where things get really exciting. There's a growing body of evidence suggesting that type 2 diabetes doesn't have to be a life sentence. Especially if it's caught and addressed early, there's real potential for putting it into remission.

Rachel: 20:10

Remission Like it's gone.

Mark: 20:12

Yeah, not always completely gone, but essentially blood sugar levels are back to a normal, healthy range without needing medication.

Rachel: 20:20

That's amazing, and the article talks about lifestyle-driven remission.

Mark: 20:23

Right. Studies have shown that making significant changes to your diet, exercise habits and stress management can lead to major improvements in blood sugar, reduce the need for medication and even, in some cases, lead to complete remission.

Rachel: 20:36

That's so encouraging. It is.

Mark: 20:39

The article specifically mentions the DIRECT trial, a really important study that found that a low-calorie whole food diet combined with weight loss helped over 45% of participants achieve remission within a year. Wow, that's huge it is. And then there's the CDC's National Diabetes Prevention Program, which has also shown that even modest changes in lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetes in the first place.

Rachel: 21:03

So prevention is key.

Mark: 21:04

Absolutely. But for people who already have type 2 diabetes, the message is that it's not too late to make changes and see real improvements. And how does the functional medicine approach build on these findings about lifestyle interventions and gut issues? The focus might be on an anti-inflammatory diet and gut healing protocols For someone with hormonal imbalances and high stress. Those areas will be addressed first. It's not one size fits all. It's truly personalized medicine.

Rachel: 21:47

So it's about finding what works for you.

Mark: 21:50

Exactly, and the article emphasizes that this isn't a quick fix. It's a long-term, sustainable approach that empowers you to take control of your health. It's about making lasting changes that support your body's natural ability to heal and thrive.

Rachel: 22:03

And ultimately, the goal is to improve your health and well-being, not just manage your blood sugar numbers.

Mark: 22:07

Exactly it's about living a full, vibrant life, free from the complications and limitations that diabetes can bring.

Rachel: 22:14

So to wrap up our deep dive today that diabetes can bring. So to wrap up our deep dive today, functional medicine offers a really comprehensive, in-depth way to understand and address type 2 diabetes. It's about going beyond just managing those blood sugar numbers and really getting to the root of the problem. It's about addressing inflammation, hormonal imbalances, gut health, nutrient deficiencies, stress and even environmental factors.

Mark: 22:36

And what's really exciting is that research is showing more and more that this approach can lead to significant improvements and even remission for many people with type 2 diabetes. It's about empowering individuals to take an active role in their health and well-being.

Rachel: 22:50

So if you've been looking for a more complete way to understand and manage type 2 diabetes, this functional medicine approach is definitely worth exploring. It's about seeing the bigger picture and addressing the underlying causes, not just the symptoms.

Mark: 23:02

And it makes you wonder if this approach can be so effective for type 2 diabetes, what other chronic conditions might benefit from a similar root cause focused approach. It's definitely something to think about.

Rachel: 23:13

It is Thanks for joining us for this deep dive. We hope you've learned something new and valuable today. Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning and keep taking care of your health.

Mark: 23:24

Take care everyone.

Nicolette: 23:32

Thanks for tuning into the Health Pulse. If you found this episode helpful, don't forget to subscribe and share it with someone who might benefit. For more health insights and diagnostics, visit us online at wwwquicklabmobilecom. Stay informed, stay healthy and we'll catch you in the next episode.