Diabetes

Full-Body Wellness & Prevention Care
Written By Jennifer Tang

Overview

Diabetes is a group of conditions that cause blood glucose levels to remain higher than normal because the body does not produce enough insulin, cannot use insulin effectively, or both. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose move from the bloodstream into cells where it can be used for energy.¹˒²

At Tangible Health, we support people with diabetes through an individualized approach that considers nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, medications, glucose patterns, cardiovascular and kidney health, and overall metabolic health. Naturopathic care complements diabetes medical care and does not replace insulin, glucose-lowering medication, or appropriate monitoring.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is not one single condition. The major types develop for different reasons and require different treatment approaches.¹˒²

Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. As a result, the body produces little or no insulin. Insulin treatment is required for Type 1 diabetes.¹˒³

Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin and, over time, may also become unable to produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Genetics, age, metabolic health, social and environmental factors, physical activity, and body composition can all influence risk.¹˒⁴

Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy in someone who did not previously have diabetes. It requires specific monitoring and treatment because blood glucose levels can affect both pregnancy and fetal health.⁵

Prediabetes describes blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but do not meet diagnostic criteria for diabetes. It increases the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes and is an opportunity to address modifiable risk factors early.²˒⁶

Common Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes can develop without obvious symptoms, particularly in the earlier stages of Type 2 diabetes.¹ When symptoms occur, they may include:

  • Increased thirst

  • Frequent urination

  • Fatigue or low energy

  • Blurred vision

  • Increased hunger

  • Unintentional weight loss

  • Cuts or wounds that heal slowly

  • Frequent or recurring infections

  • Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet¹˒⁷

Type 1 diabetes can sometimes develop more rapidly, with significant thirst, urination, weight loss, fatigue, and symptoms of dangerously high blood glucose. Because Type 2 diabetes may remain silent for years, screening is important even when you feel well if you are at increased risk.³

Causes & Contributing Factors

The causes and risk factors for diabetes depend on the type.

Autoimmune Factors
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system destroys insulin-producing pancreatic cells. Genetic susceptibility and environmental factors are thought to contribute, but Type 1 diabetes is not caused by eating sugar, body weight, or lifestyle choices.¹

Insulin Resistance & Metabolic Health
Insulin resistance is central to the development of Type 2 diabetes. Over time, the pancreas may no longer be able to produce enough insulin to compensate, allowing blood glucose to rise.²˒⁴

Genetics & Family History
Family history can increase the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes. Genetics also influence Type 1 diabetes risk, although most genetically susceptible people do not develop the condition.¹˒²

Physical Activity, Nutrition & Body Composition
Physical inactivity, dietary patterns, and excess adiposity can contribute to Type 2 diabetes risk in some people. These factors interact with genetics, medications, sleep, socioeconomic circumstances, and other health conditions, so Type 2 diabetes should not simply be framed as the result of poor lifestyle choices.¹˒⁶

Pregnancy
Hormonal and metabolic changes during pregnancy increase insulin resistance. In some pregnancies, insulin production cannot increase enough to compensate, resulting in gestational diabetes.⁵

Our Approach to Diabetes

At Tangible Health, we focus on supporting glucose management and overall health while working alongside your established diabetes treatment plan.

Your Glucose & Metabolic Health
We review your diabetes type, A1C and glucose patterns, medications or insulin, cholesterol, blood pressure, kidney health, weight history when relevant, and other conditions that influence cardiovascular and metabolic risk. For most people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, glucose targets are individualized according to age, health, medications, risk of hypoglycemia, duration of diabetes, and other factors.⁸

Your Nutrition & Daily Habits
We look at eating patterns, carbohydrate intake, physical activity, sleep, stress, alcohol, and daily routines. There is no single diabetes diet that works for everyone. Several dietary patterns can support glucose and cardiovascular health when they are nutritionally adequate and sustainable.⁹ Regular aerobic and resistance exercise can improve glucose management, insulin sensitivity, fitness, and cardiovascular health. Exercise plans should take medications, insulin use, and the risk of hypoglycemia into account.¹⁰

Your Goals
Your priorities may include improving A1C or glucose patterns, feeling more confident around food, increasing physical activity, reducing cardiovascular or kidney risk, supporting sustainable weight changes when appropriate, preventing complications, or simplifying daily diabetes management.Your care plan is developed around your diabetes type, medical treatment, health risks, and goals.

Treatments That May Be Included

Your individualized diabetes support plan may include:

  • Clinical Nutrition to support balanced meals, carbohydrate awareness, fibre intake, cardiovascular health, and sustainable eating patterns

  • Lifestyle Medicine to support physical activity, sleep, stress management, alcohol habits, smoking cessation when relevant, and metabolic health

  • Naturopathic Counselling to support behaviour change, diabetes-related stress, motivation, and sustainable health routines

  • Nutraceuticals & Supplements when a specific deficiency or clinical indication has been identified

  • Medication & Supplement Review to consider potential interactions, side effects, and how changes in diet or activity may affect glucose levels

  • Collaborative Care with your family doctor, endocrinologist, diabetes educator, registered dietitian, pharmacist, or other healthcare providers

Supplements or botanical products marketed to “lower blood sugar naturally” should not replace prescribed diabetes medication or insulin. Some may also increase the risk of hypoglycemia when combined with glucose-lowering medications.

Medical Treatment for Diabetes

Medical treatment depends on the type of diabetes and individual health needs.

For Type 1 diabetes, insulin is essential and is started at diagnosis. Insulin delivery, glucose monitoring, carbohydrate intake, physical activity, and prevention of hypoglycemia are all important parts of ongoing care.³

For Type 2 diabetes, treatment usually combines healthy behaviour changes with medications when needed. Medication choices are increasingly individualized based not only on glucose lowering, but also on cardiovascular disease, heart failure, kidney disease, weight-related goals, risk of hypoglycemia, side effects, cost, and patient preferences. Certain glucose-lowering medications can provide heart or kidney benefits beyond their effects on blood glucose.⁴

Treatment during pregnancy requires tighter glucose monitoring and specialized medical care because glucose targets and medication considerations differ from those used outside pregnancy.⁵

What to Expect

Initial Assessment
We begin with a detailed review of your diabetes diagnosis or risk factors, blood glucose patterns, A1C, medications or insulin, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, medical and family history, and overall health goals.

Glucose & Metabolic Assessment
Depending on your situation, we may review A1C and fasting glucose alongside blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides, kidney function, medications, weight history when relevant, and other cardiovascular or metabolic factors.

For adults without symptoms, diabetes can be diagnosed using laboratory measures including an A1C of 6.5% or higher, fasting plasma glucose of 7.0 mmol/L or higher, or an abnormal oral glucose tolerance test, with repeat confirmation usually required when symptoms of high blood glucose are absent.²

Personalized Plan
Your care plan is developed around your diabetes type, glucose patterns, medications, medical history, nutrition, activity level, risk of hypoglycemia, and personal goals. Recommendations are coordinated with existing diabetes treatment rather than replacing it.

Ongoing Support
Diabetes management is long-term and changes over time. Follow-up may include reviewing A1C and glucose patterns, nutrition and activity goals, medications, blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney health, eye and foot screening, and other measures used to reduce the risk of complications.⁷˒¹¹

When to Seek Support for Diabetes

Consider speaking with a healthcare provider if you:

  • Have increased thirst or frequent urination

  • Have unexplained weight loss

  • Experience persistent fatigue or blurred vision

  • Have recurrent infections or slow-healing wounds

  • Have been diagnosed with prediabetes

  • Have a family history or other risk factors for Type 2 diabetes

  • Have diabetes and are having difficulty reaching your individualized glucose targets

  • Frequently experience high or low blood glucose levels¹˒³

For most adults age 40 and older, routine screening for Type 2 diabetes is recommended at least every three years, with earlier or more frequent testing for people at higher risk.³

Seek urgent medical care for symptoms that may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis or another severe glucose emergency, including:

  • Persistent vomiting

  • Significant abdominal pain

  • Rapid or difficult breathing

  • Severe dehydration

  • Increasing drowsiness or confusion

  • Very high blood glucose accompanied by ketones

  • Loss of consciousness¹²

Severe hypoglycemia causing unconsciousness, seizure, or inability to safely take glucose by mouth is also a medical emergency.¹³

Book An Appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, so insulin treatment is essential. Type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance together with an eventual reduction in the body's ability to produce enough insulin.¹˒³

  • Prediabetes means blood glucose is above the normal range but below the diagnostic threshold for diabetes. Nutrition, physical activity, weight management when appropriate, and other health strategies can reduce the likelihood of progressing to Type 2 diabetes.²˒⁶

  • The preferred term is remission rather than reversal. Some people with Type 2 diabetes can achieve blood glucose levels below the diabetes range without glucose-lowering medication, particularly following substantial sustained weight loss. Remission does not mean diabetes is permanently cured, and ongoing monitoring remains important.¹⁴

  • No. Carbohydrates affect blood glucose, but they do not need to be eliminated. The amount, type, timing, and combination of carbohydrates with other foods can be individualized based on glucose patterns, medication or insulin use, preferences, and nutritional needs.⁹

  • There is no single required diabetes diet. Generally, meals emphasizing vegetables and fruit, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, appropriate protein sources, unsaturated fats, and less-refined foods can support glucose and cardiovascular health.⁹

  • Targets should be individualized. An A1C of 7.0% or lower is a common target for many adults with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, but a higher or lower target may be appropriate depending on age, health, medications, hypoglycemia risk, and other factors.⁸

  • Some supplements may affect glucose levels, but they should not be used as substitutes for established diabetes treatment. Supplements can also interact with medications or contribute to low blood glucose, so they should be evaluated individually.

  • Naturopathic care can support nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, metabolic and cardiovascular health, and sustainable behaviour changes while working alongside prescribed medications, insulin, glucose monitoring, and routine diabetes screening.

 

Related Care

Diabetes may overlap with several areas of health. You may also benefit from:

Jennifer Tang
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