by SP
The major medical scourges of developed western society are 1) obesity, 2) diabetes (type 2), 3) hypertension, and 4) atherosclerosis. Arthritis deserves a (dis)honorable mention. All of these are closely related to insulin resistance.
(This discussion does NOT include type 1 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is damaged and does not make insulin. Most commonly Type 1 begins in childhood.)
With type 2, the pancreas is making insulin, but the biochemical receptor mechanisms in each cell have become insensitive to the insulin, requiring additional insulin to be given via shots, and the addition of medications to tweek the insulin receptor mechanisms into adequate function.
Intermittent fasting improves insulin sensitivity. 3 brief case report are available where intermittent fasting was used over about 10 months to improve insulin sensitivity. In each case, patients needed less diabetes medicines and were able to discontinue most medicines.
The Hemoglobin A1c is used to measure an “average” blood sugar over the last 3 months. In these 3 cases, HgA1c charts improved even as diabetes medications and insulin shots were taperd off gradually over several months.
Muscular activity clears glucose from the blood via a mechanism that is independent of insulin. Exercise improves blood sugar control. Even taking a brisk 15 minute walk after a meal improves glycemic control. Julian Whitaker was well known advocate for behavioural treatments for T2DM.
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Thus there is some hope for insulin dependent Type 2 diabetics in a grid down situation. [Lots of work to be done, intermittent feeding, very few of the concentrated sugar sources that we love.] Intermittent fasting, low sugar intake and exercise should improve these conditions.
Any of the Naturopaths want to add suggestions for herbal insulin sensitizers here?