Diabetes

Non-Pharmacological Approach to Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes: A Case Report

sana — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 22:03:13 +0000

Non-Pharmacological Approach to Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes: A Case Report sana Tue, 09/24/2024 - 18:03

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is a highly prevalent metabolic condition with significant long-term health risks. First-line therapy for managing diabetes includes pharmaceuticals alongside nutritional, physical activity, and weight management interventions. However, some patients do not adhere to these recommendations or decline them altogether. This case report aims to document a case in which non-pharmacological treatment had a beneficial impact on severe uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. The subject is an unmedicated 59-year-old male patient with a reported 15-year history of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. He presented with physical symptoms (fatigue, cravings, polyuria), signs of end-organ damage (neuropathy, retinopathy), and baseline labs indicative of severe glycemic dysregulation including an elevated fasting glucose and an elevated HbA1c. Despite the practitioner recommending pharmaceuticals as per clinical practice guidelines, the patient opted for non-pharmacological naturopathic interventions. Individualized nutritional modifications, increased physical activity, and two herbal-nutrient supplements were recommended. Over 4 months, the patient’s diabetic symptoms improved alongside a corresponding significant improvement in lab markers (2.0% reduction in HbA1c from 10.1% to 8.1%; 5.7 mmol/L reduction in fasting glucose from 15.9 mmol/L to 10.2 mmol/L). This case demonstrates a significant improvement in symptoms and laboratory markers of glycemic regulation following 4 months of a multimodal, non-pharmacological treatment approach for a patient with uncontrolled diabetes who declined pharmacotherapy. This case adds to a body of literature suggesting that further research investigating non-pharmacological treatment options for managing diabetes is warranted.

DOI link: https://doi.org/10.54434/candj.172

Author

Brynn Alexander, John Alexander Hall, Monique Aucoin

Citedate

2024-06-27

Citation

Alexander B, Hall A, Aucoin M. Non-Pharmacological Approach to Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes: A Case Report. CANDJ [Internet]. 2024 Jun. 27 [cited 2024 Sep. 24];31(2):10-7. Available from: https://candjournal.ca/index.php/candj/article/view/172

Publication

CAND Journal

Taxonomy

Diabetes

From type 2 diabetes to antioxidant activity: a systematic review of the safety and efficacy of common and cassia cinnamon bark.

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 15:41:59 +0000

From type 2 diabetes to antioxidant activity: a systematic review of the safety and efficacy of common and cassia cinnamon bark. Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/24/2021 - 11:41

Common (Cinnamomum verum, C. zeylanicum) and cassia (C. aromaticum) cinnamon have a long history of use as spices and flavouring agents. A number of pharmacological and clinical effects have been observed with their use. The objective of this study was to systematically review the scientific literature for preclinical and clinical evidence of safety, efficacy, and pharmacological activity of common and cassia cinnamon. Using the principles of evidence-based practice, we searched 9 electronic databases and compiled data according to the grade of evidence found. One pharmacological study on antioxidant activity and 7 clinical studies on various medical conditions were reported in the scientific literature including type 2 diabetes (3), Helicobacter pylori infection (1), activation of olfactory cortex of the brain (1), oral candidiasis in HIV (1), and chronic salmonellosis (1). Two of 3 randomized clinical trials on type 2 diabetes provided strong scientific evidence that cassia cinnamon demonstrates a therapeutic effect in reducing fasting blood glucose by 10.3%-29%; the third clinical trial did not observe this effect. Cassia cinnamon, however, did not have an effect at lowering glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). One randomized clinical trial reported that cassia cinnamon lowered total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides; the other 2 trials, however, did not observe this effect. There was good scientific evidence that a species of cinnamon was not effective at eradicating H. pylori infection. Common cinnamon showed weak to very weak evidence of efficacy in treating oral candidiasis in HIV patients and chronic salmonellosis. PMID: 18066129

Author

Dugoua JJ, Seely D, Perri D, Cooley K, Forelli T, Mills E, Koren G.

Citedate

2007-01-01

Citation

Can J of Phys & Pharm, 2007;85(9):837-47.

Affiliations

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

Publication

http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/Y07-080

Taxonomy

Diabetes

Treating type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional audit of naturopathic standards of care using the Naturopathic Patient Database

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 15:41:55 +0000

Treating type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional audit of naturopathic standards of care using the Naturopathic Patient Database Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/24/2021 - 11:41

The Naturopathic Patient Database is a data management tool developed by the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine to collect patient data from its teaching clinic, the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic. This study investigated how type 2 diabetes mellitus was managed at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic from May 2009 to February 2011. Cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus from the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic reported in the Naturopathic Patient Database were extracted based on an International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision code assessment of E11 (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) and files were audited. The American Diabetes Association 2010 standards of medical care in diabetes were used as guidelines for the audit. Multiple categories in diagnosis, physical exam, laboratory tests, and management were graded on a 0 to 2 scale. The average audit score was 55.5/90. The most common interventions being used are diet and aerobic exercise, followed by supplements (omega-3 fatty acids) and botanicals. These data suggest that the American Diabetes Association standards of care for type 2 diabetes mellitus are not followed stringently. Education and creation of a naturopathic standard of care may improve audit performance and patient outcomes.

Author

Christopher Habib ND, Matthew Gowan ND, Stefan Podgrabinski, Tom Grodski ND, Brenda Leung ND, Maria Shapoval ND, Dugald Seely ND, MSc, Kieran Cooley ND

Citedate

2012-01-01

Citation

Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine April 2012 vol. 17 no. 2 108-116 .

Affiliations

1Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada; 2OM Corporation, Toronto, ON, Canada; 3Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, New Westminster, BC, Canada

Publication

Treating type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional audit of naturopathic standards of care using the Naturopathic Patient Database

Taxonomy

Diabetes