Reversing Type 2 Diabetes Through Functional Medicine

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the biggest global health emergencies of the 21st century. Overall, 425 million people worldwide are estimated to have diabetes, with India being home to the second largest number of people suffering with diabetes. A recent analysis showed that diabetes-related complications are continuously on the rise. These complications affect almost all systems of the body leading to retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, cardiovascular disorders, diabetic foot, depression, anxiety and even eating disorders in diabetes patients, severely affecting the patient’s quality-of-life. Traditional approach towards treating type 2 diabetes does not try to alter the course of diabetes at the prediabetes stage. It works on the symptoms, and as a result, the basic pathology keeps on getting intense and therefore, the number and dose of medicine keeps on increasing every few years. Functional medicine provides a holistic approach towards
managing diabetes and reducing the complications associated with it. This review discusses the functional medicine approach, detailing the early diagnosis approach, preventive strategy, regular monitoring of blood glucose parameters and treatment approach of diabetes including diet management, exercise,  functional foods, nutritional supplements and genetic and lifestyle interaction.