Successful Diabetes Treatment Through Naturopathic Treatment Regimen
Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine has found significant positive results and benefits from a naturopathic treatment regimen for diabetes.
Phoenix, AZ, August 05, 2005 --(PR.com)-- College of Naturopathic Medicine has found significant positive results and benefits from a naturopathic treatment regimen for diabetes.
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States. More than 18 million Americans have diabetes, and one in three is not even aware of it. It has been estimated that the annual economic cost of diabetes over recent years has exceeded $130 billion a year, or approximately one out of every ten health care dollars spent in the United States. Diabetes can be life-threatening, as diabetics have 4-6 times the risk of dying from heart disease and stroke. Other serious complications of uncontrolled diabetes can include blindness, kidney disease, liver disease, and limb amputations.
In addition, there are over 40 million people in the United States, aged approximately 40 to 75, who are in a “pre-diabetes” or “metabolic syndrome” stage. They are insulin- resistant but their blood sugar levels have not yet reached diabetic status. Some recent research suggests that even in the pre-diabetes stage long-term damage to the heart and circulatory system may be occurring.
While these statistics are dramatic, there are avenues for treatment that have shown some significant success, particularly in the area of naturopathic medicine. Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Ariz., is one of a handful of accredited, four-year academic institutions in the United States teaching students to become naturopathic physicians. A strong emphasis has been on teaching future physicians to treat diabetes patients with complementary medical techniques as a more integrative approach to their patients overall treatment regimen.
Dr. Mona Morstein, Chair of Nutrition at SCNM and Supervising Physician at Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center, the out-patient medical clinic of the medical school has found significant results and benefits from a naturopathic treatment regimen for diabetes through a comprehensive, yet individualized course of treatment for her diabetic patients, no matter which type of diabetes they have.
Part of that treatment includes a low carbohydrate diet. A great deal of evidence-based research supports the use of such a dietary program, even though it is contrary to what the ADA suggests. Dr. Morstein also prescribes various nutrients and anti-oxidants as a result of medical studies having shown that diabetics are lacking in a number of vital nutrients. Further, the research has shown that the problematic progression of their diabetes is considerably slowed by antioxidants. Dr. Morstein uses various botanical medicines to help decrease insulin resistance and sugar cravings, which has the added benefit of aiding in weight loss. Treatment can also include diagnosing and addressing imbalances in other hormones such as cortisol and testosterone. Aerobic exercise and weight lifting are necessary for the patient to regularly engage in and, if need be, stress relaxation and counseling become part of the overall regimen.
The naturopathic treatment regimen has shown other significant benefits, with the reduction and oftentimes elimination of oral hypoglycemics and blood pressure medicines as patients become healthier. For those Type I diabetics that require insulin, a unique way of prescribing the insulin is prescribed which enables the blood sugar levels to be very tightly controlled without causing frightening low blood sugar episodes.
Success has also been demonstrated in lowering patients hemoglobin A1C levels. Medical studies have proven that lower A1C numbers significantly decrease the risk of diabetics, developing cardiovascular disease, and eye, kidney and nerve damage. Dr. Morstein remarks, "It's very rewarding working with people with diabetes and see them able to reduce or remove some of their medications, and significantly lower their A1Cs. They're very pleased and I know I've helped them lower their risk for developing diabetic complications in the future."
Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center is conducting leading edge efforts and work in the treatment of diabetes and the results are healthier, leaner patients who taking less medications and having more positive health outlooks for the future.
About Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences
Located in Tempe, Ariz., and founded in 1993, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences is an accredited higher learning institution. It offers a four-year medical program that trains students to become primary care physicians. Naturopathic medicine emphasizes the body’s innate ability to self-heal. It draws on a rich history of natural, non-toxic therapies in combination with current medical advances. The scope of practice includes all aspects of family and primary care using integrative and complementary treatment modalities such as acupuncture, homeopathy, clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, manipulation and pharmacology. For more information, visit www.scnm.edu.
###
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States. More than 18 million Americans have diabetes, and one in three is not even aware of it. It has been estimated that the annual economic cost of diabetes over recent years has exceeded $130 billion a year, or approximately one out of every ten health care dollars spent in the United States. Diabetes can be life-threatening, as diabetics have 4-6 times the risk of dying from heart disease and stroke. Other serious complications of uncontrolled diabetes can include blindness, kidney disease, liver disease, and limb amputations.
In addition, there are over 40 million people in the United States, aged approximately 40 to 75, who are in a “pre-diabetes” or “metabolic syndrome” stage. They are insulin- resistant but their blood sugar levels have not yet reached diabetic status. Some recent research suggests that even in the pre-diabetes stage long-term damage to the heart and circulatory system may be occurring.
While these statistics are dramatic, there are avenues for treatment that have shown some significant success, particularly in the area of naturopathic medicine. Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Ariz., is one of a handful of accredited, four-year academic institutions in the United States teaching students to become naturopathic physicians. A strong emphasis has been on teaching future physicians to treat diabetes patients with complementary medical techniques as a more integrative approach to their patients overall treatment regimen.
Dr. Mona Morstein, Chair of Nutrition at SCNM and Supervising Physician at Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center, the out-patient medical clinic of the medical school has found significant results and benefits from a naturopathic treatment regimen for diabetes through a comprehensive, yet individualized course of treatment for her diabetic patients, no matter which type of diabetes they have.
Part of that treatment includes a low carbohydrate diet. A great deal of evidence-based research supports the use of such a dietary program, even though it is contrary to what the ADA suggests. Dr. Morstein also prescribes various nutrients and anti-oxidants as a result of medical studies having shown that diabetics are lacking in a number of vital nutrients. Further, the research has shown that the problematic progression of their diabetes is considerably slowed by antioxidants. Dr. Morstein uses various botanical medicines to help decrease insulin resistance and sugar cravings, which has the added benefit of aiding in weight loss. Treatment can also include diagnosing and addressing imbalances in other hormones such as cortisol and testosterone. Aerobic exercise and weight lifting are necessary for the patient to regularly engage in and, if need be, stress relaxation and counseling become part of the overall regimen.
The naturopathic treatment regimen has shown other significant benefits, with the reduction and oftentimes elimination of oral hypoglycemics and blood pressure medicines as patients become healthier. For those Type I diabetics that require insulin, a unique way of prescribing the insulin is prescribed which enables the blood sugar levels to be very tightly controlled without causing frightening low blood sugar episodes.
Success has also been demonstrated in lowering patients hemoglobin A1C levels. Medical studies have proven that lower A1C numbers significantly decrease the risk of diabetics, developing cardiovascular disease, and eye, kidney and nerve damage. Dr. Morstein remarks, "It's very rewarding working with people with diabetes and see them able to reduce or remove some of their medications, and significantly lower their A1Cs. They're very pleased and I know I've helped them lower their risk for developing diabetic complications in the future."
Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center is conducting leading edge efforts and work in the treatment of diabetes and the results are healthier, leaner patients who taking less medications and having more positive health outlooks for the future.
About Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences
Located in Tempe, Ariz., and founded in 1993, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences is an accredited higher learning institution. It offers a four-year medical program that trains students to become primary care physicians. Naturopathic medicine emphasizes the body’s innate ability to self-heal. It draws on a rich history of natural, non-toxic therapies in combination with current medical advances. The scope of practice includes all aspects of family and primary care using integrative and complementary treatment modalities such as acupuncture, homeopathy, clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, manipulation and pharmacology. For more information, visit www.scnm.edu.
###
Contact
Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences
Patricia Bannon
480-858-9100, ext 222
scnm.edu
Patricia Bannon
480-858-9100, ext 222
scnm.edu
Contact