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Complications

Type 2 Diabetes Complications – Why Do They Happen?

Dec 1, 2016

On Medication, Yet Being Ravaged Inside

A diagnosis of diabetes is not an easy one to deal with; a large part of the emotional trauma it creates is because we have all been taught to think that it once you get it, you’re going to be diabetic for life. You believe is life is going to be restricted in so many ways, you will no longer be yourself.

There is a growing band of doctors who don’t believe in this fatalistic diagnosis anymore. They believe that through eating right, fasting right, losing some weight, exercising right and reducing systemic stress, Type 2 Diabetes can actually be reversed! And so can Type 2 Diabetes complications!

And yet, while we learn to think and act in this new way, it is a grim reality that most diabetics will face what are termed as “complications” of Type 2 diabetes. What this means is that despite taking Type 2 Diabetes medication as prescribed, you could (and most likely will), over a period of years, develop other disorders caused by diabetes.

Here is a list of the effects of type 2 diabetes on the body:

  • Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar
  • Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State or extremely high blood sugar
  • Ketoacidosis
  • Foot ulcers or injuries that don’t heal
  • Skin issues including boils and abrasions that don’t heal
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Retinopathy (Eye disease)
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Coeliac disease
  • High cholesterol
  • PCOS
  • Neuropathy (Nerve damage)
  • Nephropathy (Kidney disease)
  • Nocturia, urinary tract infections, thrush, other infections
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Erectile dysfunction

Oxidative Stress: The Real Reason Behind Type 2 Diabetes Complications

Every day, we breathe, eat food and thanks to these actions, we are able to produce the energy needed to carry on life. We also fight off infections routinely. As you would expect, all this involves wear and tear.

In the human body, producing energy, dealing with infections, toxins, pollution, stress, etc. causes what is called “oxidative stress.” The better we are at dealing with oxidative stress, the better our health. The worse we are at handling oxidative stress, the greater the damage it does to various systems of our body.

Unfortunately, diabetes is notorious for the excessive oxidative stress it produces in those who have it. Research studies have shown that there is a direct relationship between several complications of type 2 diabetes and the extent of “oxidative stress” they face. And the list above is what happens if type 2 diabetes is untreated.

This may well be the reason why the actions that reduce oxidative stress – avoiding junk food, exercising, sleeping well, yoga and meditation – all directly help control and even reverse Type 2 diabetes. Specific dietary supplements can also help with complications of type 2 diabetes that you might be facing.

Mahesh Jayaraman
Mahesh is a hormone health counsellor & holistic health expert. He has a Mastery Certification in Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis from the US, is certified in Functional Nutrition from Washington State University and uses a wide array of healing modalities to guide his clients to vibrant health and well-being.

References:

1. “Oxidative stress and diabetic complications.” Circulation Research, October 2010 Giacco F1, Brownlee M.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21030723