Diagnosed with diabetes?
Our dietitians are now offering a virtual, video group class that runs for four weeks.
Why consider this class?
You’ll be empowered with information while having the support of fellow Veterans embarking on the same journey, whether you've been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, pre-diabetes, gestational diabetes or Type 2 diabetes.
Call our Nutrition team at 307-675-3663 for details and to sign up for the next class.*
Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes? It can often be reversed
Patients need to know that Type 2 diabetes is a preventable and reversible disease in most cases. It is estimated that 90% of diabetes is preventable through changes in diet and exercise, elimination of smoking, and moderation of alcohol intake.[1]
Food and drink, weight loss, movement and other considerations can all play a role in your success.
Treating Type 2 diabetes with a holistic approach
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder that occurs when insulin resistance and eventual insulin deficiency lead to high blood glucose. Extensive research is currently underway to better understand the causes of insulin resistance in the body. Numerous factors, such as obesity, toxin exposure, infections, and emotional stress all contribute to chronic inflammation and the development of this chronic condition and its many negative sequelae.
Several large clinical trials have shown that control of hyperglycemia alone does reduce the microvascular (small blood vessel) complications of diabetes but it does not definitively reduce the macrovascular (large vessel) complications, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). It also does not decrease mortality. This suggests, then, that only focusing on treating blood glucose numbers in diabetics is not sufficient. Additional focus should be given to reducing inflammation and improving lifestyle factors, which can have microvascular benefits and lengthen lifespan.
That's why we hope you'll join us for this short 4-week virtual class.*
*There may be reasons that it would benefit a Veteran with any of the above diagnoses to attend a one-on-one appointment with a registered dietitian and/or diabetes educator, but the series provides the foundation common for the prevention and treatment of each diagnosis.
The Type 2 diabetes material above is an excerpt from Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - Whole Health Library (va.gov), written by Jacqueline Redmer, MD, MPH and updated by Vincent Minichello, MD (2014, updated 2020).