Originally published March 25 2014
Functional testing for type II diabetes
by Dr. David Jockers
(NaturalNews) According to the American Diabetes Association 23.6 million Americans (7.8 percent of the population) have diabetes and another 57 million people (18.8 percent) have insulin-resistant pre-diabetes. The vast majority of diabetes is the type II variety known as degenerative diabetes.
The fasting blood sugar test is done after an overnight fast or an 8-hour fast during the day. Diabetes is defined as having a fasting blood sugar of 126 mg/dl or higher. Pre-diabetes is defined as having a fasting blood sugar between 100-125 mg/dl. The pre-diabetic condition is considered the number one most non-diagnosed, serious health condition in the western world.
Advanced glycolytic enzyme development
When we consume sugar or starch it turns into glucose. The pancreas produces and releases insulin in response to the elevation of blood sugar. It is vitally important for insulin to get sugar out of the blood stream and into the cells effectively. Elevated blood sugar is toxic to the body as it combines to protein molecules and creates Advanced Glycolytic Enzymes (AGEs).
These AGEs are highly inflammatory and destructive as they damage tissue throughout the body including nerve fibers and blood vessels. This is the reason for the neurological and cardiovascular complications involved with diabetes.
Testing AGE levels
One way to test advanced glycolytic enzyme levels is through a hemoglobin A1C (HgA1C) test. This test looks at the amount of red blood cell protein (hemoglobin) that is glycated with sugar. Since red blood cells have an expected lifespan of 120 days this test looks at your blood sugar metabolism over the previous 120 day period.
High HgA1C levels are an indication of elevated AGE levels throughout the entire body. This indicates accelerated aging processes and metabolic disease.
Pre-diabetes is where there is an imbalance between glucose and insulin. The cells are developing a level of insulin resistance and the pancreas may be overburdened and unable to produce enough insulin after a meal to clear out the glucose within the blood. Pre-diabetics are at a 50 percent higher risk of heart disease and stroke than a person without pre-diabetes.
Both diabetes and pre-diabetes are a result of chronic inflammation. When testing for these disorders it is especially important to look at inflammatory compounds such as C-Reactive protein (CRPs) and Homocysteine.
Where doctors go wrong
Most doctors simply test blood sugar and may test your hemoglobin A1C and fail to test for hormonal function and inflammatory compounds. The fasting glucose test gives them the information they need to make a diagnosis and give lifestyle advice and treat with a diabetes medication.
However, these two tests alone do not give us enough information of the primary factors in the inflammatory process. For example, elevated homocysteine lets us know that we are failing to consume or process B vitamins correctly. Without testing this, the individual may never get to the cause of their inflammation and continue to get worse.
Another example would be having low levels of vitamin D3. This creates elevated inflammation and is an important factor in the development of auto-immune conditions that have been found to be associated with the development of diabetes.
One could make necessary lifestyle changes and begin exercising and following a healthy diet and never address their D3 levels. In this case, the individual may believe the lie that they need medication to address this condition for the rest of their lives.
The ideal diabetes panel should analyze fasting blood sugar, insulin levels, HgA1C, leptin levels, homocysteine, high sensitivity C Reactive protein levels and vitamin D3 levels. A functional medicine doctor or health coach trained in functional diagnostics can order the appropriate tests and help figure out the appropriate natural lifestyle plan.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.naturalnews.com/031178_diabetes_cure.html
http://www.naturalnews.com
http://www.lef.org
http://truthwiki.org/Natural_Help_for_Diabet...
About the author:
Dr David Jockers is a Maximized Living doctor and owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia where he specializes in functional nutrition, functional medicine and corrective chiropractic care to get to the underlying cause of major health problems.
His website features great articles on natural health and incredible recipes. He is the author of the best-selling book SuperCharge Your Brain - the complete guide to radically improve your mood, memory and mindset. He has over 50,000 active followers on his social media and email newsletter and is a big influencer in the Primal Health movement.
Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance consultations and health coaching to help you beat disease and reach your health goals. For more information got to www.drjockers.com
Dr David Jockers is a Maximized Living doctor and owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia where he specializes in functional nutrition, functional medicine and corrective chiropractic care to get to the underlying cause of major health problems.
His website features great articles on natural health and incredible recipes. He is the author of the best-selling book SuperCharge Your Brain - the complete guide to radically improve your mood, memory and mindset. He has over 50,000 active followers on his social media and email newsletter and is a big influencer in the Primal Health movement.
Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance consultations and health coaching to help you beat disease and reach your health goals. For more information got to www.drjockers.com
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