Dr. Weyrich's Naturopathic Functional Medicine Notebook is a collection of information on topics of interest to Dr. Weyrich that may be of interest to the world wide audience. Due to limitations of time, not all information that Dr. Weyrich knows or would like to further research is published here. Dr. Weyrich welcomes financial contributions to support specific research topics, as well as copies of non-free access journal articles for him to review on a topic. Constructive criticism is also welcome.

Overview of Diabetes Mellitus Type II

Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) was formerly referred to as Adult-Onset Diabetes because its insidious onset was usually seen in adults. However, with the current lifestyle and diet seen in today's youth, DM2 is more and more being seen in children in the USA as well.

In DM2, the pancreas produces adequate (or even elevated) levels of insulin, but cell receptors for insulin appear to have become insensitive to insulin, resulting in derangement of glucose metabolism.

While diet and exercise play an important role in both the cause and treatment of DM2, conventional medicine relies heavily on the use of drugs to treat DM2.

Hypothyroid conditions have also been strongly associated with DM2, and treatment of underlying hypothyroidism has been found to be very effective in addressing DM2 and reducing associated diseases [Starr2005].

Complimentary and alternative treatments for diabetes mellitus type II that are considered below include:

  • Neurotransmitter Balancing

Etiology of Diabetes Mellitus Type II

Some practitioners have noted an association between diabetes and inflammatory process mediated by homocysteine [Rogers2005, pg 9]. Note that the common diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) increases homocysteine levels [Westphal2003].

Concerns have been raised that antihypertensive drugs such as diuretics, beta-blockers, and hydralazine may contribute to diabetes have been raised [Breckenridge1967], [Rogers2008, pg 14], [Skarfors1989].

Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus Type II

Please see conventional, complimentary and alternative medical treatments for important background information regarding the different types of medical treatments discussed below.

Conventional Treatment of Type II Diabetes

See [Joslin], [Kelly2001].

Naturopathic, Complimentary and Alternative Treatments

Dietary Interventions

Individual health profiles make a one-size-fits-all diet plan ineffective or dangers in some cases. Please see your licensed health care provider for personalized dietary plans. However, in all cases, the goal is to limit the amount of carbohydrates in your diet. Historical graphs (Figures 1 and 2 below) [King2000] show that the well-known rise of DM-2 and heart disease in the United States over the past 50 years parallels the rise in the consumption of high-fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners (Figure 2), and the rise in the consumption of vegetable oils (Figure 1). This historical data do not support the theory that consumption of animal fat including eggs is linked to DM-2 or heart disease.
Figure 1 from King2000 Figure 2 from King2000

Optimize Thyroid Function

Hypothyroidism has been associated with diabetes (type I and II) and it has been observed that diabetic patients concurrently treated for hypothyroidism are spared most of the secondary causes of morbidity and death [Starr2005, pg 42].

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Raising testosterone levels to "normal" for young adults has many benefits, and is safe for most individuals [Friedman2013, pg 74]. Among the potential benefits are reduction in insulin reistance, visceral adiposity, and hypercholesterolaemia [Saad2011], [Kapoor2006], [Salam2012], [Li2010]. However, too much testosterone has been linked with insulin resistance.

Neurotransmitter Balancing

Neuro Research [Hinz2015] reports that chronic diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus Type II can be benefited by balancing neurotransmitter levels in the body.

Dr. Weyrich has been trained in neurotransmitter balancing protocols, but has not treated Diabetes Mellitus Type II using this technique.

Please see What is Neurotransmitter Balancing? for more information.

Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus Type II

Testosterone protects against DM-2 [Friedman2013, pg 63]

References for Diabetes Mellitus Type II