JAMES PHILLIPS- OSTEOPATH
An Osteopathic Perspective
Diabetes mellitus is a disease or condition diverse in character and content characterised by abnormal glucose homeostasis resulting in elevated blood sugar. It is clearly established that diabetes mellitus is not a single disease but a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders that share glucose intolerance in common.
The prevalence and chronicity of diabetes is increasing with variability in its manifestations where some individuals may be asymptomatic with glucose intolerance, others may present acutely with diabetic ketoacidosis, whereas chronic conditions will present with nephropathy, retinopathy, or accelerated atherosclerosis.
Most forms of diabetes will require strict management regarding eating habits, exercise regime and rest and recovery. These three disciplines are integral in diminishing an otherwise debilitating disorder. The consistency and timing of eating habits maintaining a consistent BMI with minimal fluctuation with emphasis of variable exercises that stimulate learning and excitation while receiving maximum benefit through consolidated resting times.
The Osteopathic approach will look at the structural and functional elements and the visceral components that constitute the metabolic and immunologic systems in a homeostatic environment and the feedback mechanisms that will signify the deficiencies and dysfunctions.
Osteopathic care can work directly and indirectly with most stages of diabetes while assisting the system to accommodate and process forms of medication for optimal benefit negating any potential side effects.
The Marquee Health Osteopathic perspective is always to work towards maximum self-reliance and considerations for the patient and as a multi-disciplinary clinic provides a broad scope and insight in gaining control and management in respect to your health.

OLIVIER LEJUS- ACUPUNCTURIST/ TCM/ HERBALIST

Traditional Chinese medicine and Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious medical condition which occur when the body is unable to regulate the level of sugar (glucose) in the body.

There are two types of diabetes, Type 1, which is common in younger people, is caused by the inability of the pancreas organ to produce enough of the sugar regulating hormone insulin, whereas Type 2, found in older people, is the consequence of the body developing a resistance to that hormone.
As a result of the insulin dysfunction, the excess level of glucose in the blood is not stored in the liver organ and muscle cells, for later use, but instead accumulates in the kidneys. The associated symptoms are excess thirst, hunger, and frequent urination. More importantly, due to the resulting metabolic changes, the blood composition becomes acidic which can potentially be life threatening.
While insulin injections, or medication are the recommended form of treatment, exercise, weight loss, and the adoption of a diet low in carbohydrate can also have enormous long-term benefits.
Traditional Chinese Medicine does not offer a cure for diabetes, and it is necessary for patients with diabetes to continue taking their medication and follow the diet prescribed by their physician. However, in many cases, Chinese herbal medicine can help lower glucose levels in the body, and thus reduce the need for medication. This reduction must be monitored carefully in a joint effort by medical doctor, and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner.
While herbal medicine is the modality of choice which offers the most potential benefit, according to the British diabetes Association, acupuncture therapy can also benefit diabetes related peripheral neuropathy, and resulting nerve pain.

NICOLE TURELL- REMEDIAL MASSAGE THERAPIST
Diabetes
The diabetic epidemic is overwhelming Australia’s hospitals. A recent study at Austin Health (Melbourne) has found that diabetes accounts for one third of all hospitalisations and it is also estimated around 500,000 people are living with silent undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
So what is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 Diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. This is also called hyperglycaemia. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes your body does not use insulin properly. Type 2 diabetes requires a medical diagnosis. Some of the symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, fatigue and blurred vision. In some cases, there may be no symptoms.
Complications from diabetes
Diabetes dramatically increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and narrowing of blood vessels
– Nerve damage
– Kidney damage
– Eye damage
– Slow healing
– Hearing impairment

– Skin conditions
– Sleep apnoea
Early detection can help improve your chances of avoiding the more serious complications. Treatment plans with a specialist can include medication, exercise, diet and lifestyle plans.

GIULIA MEZZAPICA- NATUROPATH
Do you know anyone who is a Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic? Then you need to read this…
Both types of Diabetes Can Significantly Reduce Your Lifespan and Quality of Life
BUT… the good news is… That both types can be helped with naturopathy… let me tell you how…
The first part of this article is specifically for type 2s, but take note, Type 1s, this applies to you (as well as the part at the bottom which is just for you). Did you know that type 1 diabetics can also develop type 2?
Not only does type 2 diabetes increase your overall risk of heart disease, the condition can also bring on fatal and non-fatal heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular events an average of 15 years earlier than in those without diabetes.
And, aside from the potentially deadly side effects of diabetes drugs, the additional health complications that diabetes fosters are numerous, and quite serious, including:
• Heart disease and stroke – Death from heart disease and risk for stroke is two to four times higher among people with diabetes
• High blood pressure – 75 percent of diabetics have high blood pressure (130/180 mm Hg or higher)
• Blindness — Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20 to 74 years
• Kidney disease – Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure. In 2005, more than 45,700 people began treatment for end-stage kidney disease in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and another 178,700 were living on chronic dialysis
• Nervous system disease — About 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage such as: impaired sensation or pain in hands or feet, poor digestion, carpal tunnel syndrome and erectile dysfunction
• Amputations – In 2004, 71,000 lower limb amputations due to diabetes were performed in the U.S.
• Dental disease — Almost one-third of people with diabetes have severe periodontal disease
• Pregnancy complications — Poorly controlled diabetes before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy among women with type 1 diabetes can cause major birth defects in 5 to 10 percent of pregnancies, and spontaneous abortions in 15 to 20 percent of pregnancies
• Immune system dysfunction, susceptibility to infections and cancer

Fortunately, nearly 100 percent of type 2 diabetics can be successfully treated — meaning you will no longer have the symptoms of diabetes, or the high risk of developing the above health complications — if you are willing to implement the recommendations I provide below.
Type 2 Diabetes is treatable Without Drugs!!
If one is compliant with these recommendations the likelihood of successfully going off of drugs and having normal blood sugars is close to 100%. Treating type 2 diabetes is simply a matter of implementing some basic strategies to improve your insulin and leptin resistance:
Exercise. Exercise is an absolutely essential factor, without which you’re highly unlikely to get this devastating disease under control. It is clearly one of the most potent ways to lower your insulin and leptin resistance.
Typically, however, you’ll need large amounts of exercise, until you get your blood sugar levels under control. You may need up to an hour or two a day. Naturally, you’ll want to gradually work your way up to that amount, based on your current level of fitness.
Eliminate grains and sugars. For the last 50 years, many people have been following the nutritional recommendations dictated by conventional health agencies, which advise a high complex carbohydrate, low saturated fat diet. The end result has been a 700 percent increase in diabetes in the same time frame and many have come to view diabetes as an incurable chronic disease…
This is clearly not true, but it’s the inevitable result of seriously flawed dietary recommendations. Instead, you’ll want to eliminate foods that break down into sugar and your body will react to by creating insulin, which includes all types of sugars and grains — even “healthy” grains such as whole, organic grains. This means avoiding all breads, pasta, cereals, rice, potatoes, and corn (which is in fact a grain). You may even need to avoid fruits until your blood sugar is under control.
Monitor your fasting and after eating glucose level. You’ll want your fasting glucose level to be between 4.5-5.5, and you’re after eating level to be between 6 and 8. The higher your level, the worse your insulin receptor sensitivity is. The recommendations mentioned above are the key steps you need to achieve this reduction.
So how can I help YOU?
I will analyse your diet and lifestyle and prepare a tailored eating and lifestyle plan that is easy to follow that will facilitate you achieving healthy blood glucose levels. It doesn’t matter if you have type 1, type 2 or combination types, I have a plan that will bring you to your optimal health, improve your energy and immunity and give you the best life possible.
A special note for type 1 diabetics, I can help you reduce your insulin intake by up to 20% which will reduce your susceptibility to complications of excess insulin exposure. If your specialist has you on a set dose of insulin and you have to eat enough to keep your sugars up, then I have a new paradigm for you that will give you better control and a healthier outcome.
If anyone isn’t sure if my strategy is suitable for you or not, please call marquee and make an appointment to have a 15min chat with me to find out more. Giulia the Naturopath.