Explore comprehensive, medically-reviewed information about metabolic conditions, treatments, and evidence-based health strategies to empower your wellness journey.
Find the information you need organized by health condition categories
Understanding, managing, and reversing insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar.
Evidence-based strategies for sustainable weight loss and metabolic health.
Cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome management through metabolic intervention.
Heart health, cholesterol management, and blood pressure control.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH) prevention and reversal.
Medically Reviewed | Updated: January 2024
Prevalence:
37.3 million Americans have diabetes (11.3% of population)
Primary Cause:
Insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion
Key Risk Factors:
Obesity, sedentary lifestyle, genetics, age >45
Reversible:
Yes, through lifestyle and nutritional interventions
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by elevated blood glucose (sugar) levels resulting from insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. Unlike Type 1 diabetes (an autoimmune condition), Type 2 diabetes develops gradually and is largely preventable and reversible through lifestyle modifications.
In Type 2 diabetes, your body's cells become resistant to insulin—a hormone that helps glucose enter cells for energy. The pancreas initially compensates by producing more insulin (hyperinsulinemia), but over time, it cannot keep up with demand, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
Increased thirst and urination
Polyuria and polydipsia
Unexplained weight loss
Despite normal or increased appetite
Fatigue and weakness
Lack of energy throughout the day
Blurred vision
Due to fluid shifts in the eye
Slow-healing wounds
Cuts and bruises take longer to heal
Tingling or numbness
In hands or feet (neuropathy)
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed when any of the following criteria are met:
Hemoglobin A1C ≥ 6.5%
Reflects average blood glucose over 2-3 months
Fasting Plasma Glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL
After at least 8 hours of no caloric intake
2-Hour Plasma Glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL
During oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
Random Plasma Glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL
With classic symptoms of hyperglycemia
Ketogenic and Low-Carbohydrate Diets: Multiple RCTs demonstrate that carbohydrate restriction (20-50g/day for ketogenic, <130g/day for low-carb) significantly reduces HbA1c (0.9-2.0%), promotes weight loss, and enables medication reduction in 50-87% of participants.
Key Benefits:
Source: Diabetes Care 2023; American Diabetes Association Guidelines
Weight loss of 5-10% of body weight significantly improves glycemic control, blood pressure, and lipid profiles. Greater weight loss (>15%) can lead to diabetes remission in many cases.
Source: Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guidelines
ADA recommends 150+ minutes/week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity plus 2-3 sessions/week of resistance training. Exercise improves insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake independent of weight loss.
Source: American Diabetes Association Standards of Care
When lifestyle modifications are insufficient, medications like metformin (first-line), GLP-1 agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, or insulin may be prescribed. However, nutritional interventions often reduce or eliminate medication needs.
Source: ADA/EASD Consensus Report 2023
The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) demonstrated that intensive lifestyle intervention reduced diabetes incidence by 58% in high-risk individuals:
Achieve and maintain healthy weight
BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²
Follow low-glycemic diet
Minimize refined carbs and added sugars
Regular physical activity
150+ minutes/week moderate exercise
Regular screening if at risk
Check fasting glucose and A1C annually
Schedule a consultation with our metabolic health experts to create your personalized diabetes management plan.
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