TY - JOUR
T1 - Improved clinical outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus utilizing integrative medicine
T2 - A case report
AU - Grise, Diane E.
AU - McAllister, Heath M.
AU - Langland, Jeffrey
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - This case report demonstrates a successful approach to managing patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). Botanical herbs (including Gymnema sylvestre) and nutrients (including alpha lipoic acid and chromium) were used alongside metformin to help improve insulin sensitization; however, the greatest emphasis of treatment for this patient centered on a low-carbohydrate, whole-foods diet and regular exercise that shifted the focus to the patient's role in controlling their disease. Research on DM2 often focuses on improving drug efficacy while diet and lifestyle are generally overlooked as both a preventive and curative tool. During the 7 months of treatment, the patient's hemoglobin A1c and fasting glucose significantly decreased to within normal ranges and both cholesterol and liver enzyme markers normalized. A significant body of evidence already exists advocating for disease management using various diets, including Mediterranean, low-carb, and low-fat vegan diets; however, no clear dietary standards have been established. This study supports the use of naturopathic medicine as well as dietary and lifestyle changes to develop the most efficacious approach for the treatment of DM2.
AB - This case report demonstrates a successful approach to managing patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). Botanical herbs (including Gymnema sylvestre) and nutrients (including alpha lipoic acid and chromium) were used alongside metformin to help improve insulin sensitization; however, the greatest emphasis of treatment for this patient centered on a low-carbohydrate, whole-foods diet and regular exercise that shifted the focus to the patient's role in controlling their disease. Research on DM2 often focuses on improving drug efficacy while diet and lifestyle are generally overlooked as both a preventive and curative tool. During the 7 months of treatment, the patient's hemoglobin A1c and fasting glucose significantly decreased to within normal ranges and both cholesterol and liver enzyme markers normalized. A significant body of evidence already exists advocating for disease management using various diets, including Mediterranean, low-carb, and low-fat vegan diets; however, no clear dietary standards have been established. This study supports the use of naturopathic medicine as well as dietary and lifestyle changes to develop the most efficacious approach for the treatment of DM2.
KW - Chromium
KW - Glucose tolerance
KW - Gymnema sylvestre
KW - Low-carbohydrate diet
KW - Motivational interviewing
KW - Naturopathic medicine
KW - Type 2 diabetes mellitus
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U2 - 10.7453/gahmj.2014.071
DO - 10.7453/gahmj.2014.071
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84994042493
SN - 2164-957X
VL - 4
SP - 57
EP - 61
JO - Global Advances In Health and Medicine
JF - Global Advances In Health and Medicine
IS - 3
ER -