The Four-Week Difference: Treating Diabetes Without Drugs or Surgery

Right now, roughly 21 million people are living with type 2 diabetes. With serious long-term complications like cardiovascular disease, chronic renal failure, retinal damage (which can lead to blindness), nerve damage, and microvascular damage (which may cause impotence and poor wound healing), type 2 diabetes is a disease that requires careful and comprehensive treatment.

Some of the primary risk factors for type 2 diabetes include obesity and physical inactivity. In most cases, diabetes is treated with a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. In extreme cases, doctors may recommend weight loss surgery. However, dangerous side effects and long-term complications make both medication and surgery a risky proposition for most diabetes sufferers. Recent studies show that the natural alternatives (such as nutrition, exercise, and behavioral change) used at certain residential weight loss programs can drastically reduce patients' reliance on medication in just four weeks.

Medical and Pharmaceutical Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes

The first line of treatment, according to health care providers and medical specialists worldwide, is always meal planning for blood glucose (sugar) control, weight loss, and exercise. This form of treatment addresses the direct causes of the disease and elicits optimal results, without the risks inherent in pharmaceuticals and bariatric surgery.

If these steps aren't sufficient, doctors then prescribe a medicine that lowers blood glucose levels. Although diabetic medications can be effective and vital for some patients, they are certainly not free of risk (or cost). Common classes of drugs such as sulfonylureas, meglitinides, biguanides, thiazolidinediones, and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors come with side effects ranging from low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), headaches, upset stomach, nausea, or diarrhea, and weight gain to anemia, liver failure, and respiratory infection. In addition, some of these drugs can interact with other medications or alcohol to cause vomiting, flushing, or sickness.

Similarly, weight loss surgery, which can be an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes, comes with its own set of dangers. In addition to the usual risks of surgery, diabetics are particularly prone to the following:

• Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) or hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)
• Poor wound healing
• Infection, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, or sepsis
• Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNK)
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
• Electrolyte imbalance

Due to the malabsorptive nature of bariatric surgery, patients must be aware of additional risks such as anemia (iron deficiency), osteoporosis and bone degeneration (calcium deficiency), malnutrition, dumping syndrome, hernia, ulcers, and gallstones.

The Natural Alternative: A Well-Rounded Weight Loss Program

The American Diabetes Association reports that almost 90 percent of people newly diagnosed with the disease are overweight or obese. This means patients have the opportunity to take control of their own health and recovery. Research shows many people are able to eliminate or reduce the amount of medication needed and avoid surgery once they lose the excess weight.

According to a recent study conducted at Structure House, a residential weight loss program for adults in Durham, N.C., undergoing a specialized treatment program helps people with type 2 diabetes reduce the number and dosage of diabetic medications, improves diabetic control, and significantly reduces the risk of complications from the disease.

After 70 men and women completed a four-week diabetes program at Structure House, results showed that the average person reduced their blood glucose level by more than 25 points, as well as their hemoglobin A1c levels. In just four weeks, the average participant lost nearly 16 pounds and reduced his or her body mass index (BMI) by two and a half points.

Study participants also enjoyed significant reductions in the number and dosages of diabetic medications, with 41 percent eliminating at least one medication and 8 percent discontinuing all diabetic medications by the end of four weeks. In addition, 29 percent of the individuals decreased the dosage of at least one medication by an average of 50 percent. Of the 21 participants receiving insulin treatments at the start of the program, 48 percent were able to significantly reduce their dosage, while another 19 percent completely discontinued use of the drug during the four-week period.

"Diabetes affects nearly every part of the body, therefore proper treatment and management of the disease are necessary to ensure overall health and reduce the risk of complications," said Anna Stout, lead researcher and clinical psychologist for Structure House, in a Sept. 8 press release. "This research proves the Structure House multi-disciplinary approach helps individuals effectively manage their diabetes and their weight, without surgery or additional medication."

As part of the Structure House program, study participants attended a variety of specialized classes on nutrition and exercise, and participated in individual and group therapy, which focused on strategies to overcome stress and difficult emotions and to improve diabetic control. Each individual also attended weekly educational sessions, where a nurse discussed diabetes-related health issues, and a weekly appointment with an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes management.

Structure House's four-week diabetes program is the only program of its kind offered in the United States. In addition to its core weight loss program, Structure House also offers a specialized post-bariatric surgery program, designed specifically for individuals who have undergone weight loss surgery and are now struggling with weight regain and other weight-control issues. Since 1977, Structure House has helped more than 30,000 people from all 50 states and 35 nations battling obesity.

The importance of natural alternatives in the treatment of type 2 diabetes cannot be overstated. With results as impressive as those achieved by weight loss programs like Structure House, it is a comfort to know that surgeries and drugs aren't the only options. Diabetes is a disease that can't be ignored, but solving a problem with more problems should be the treatment method of last resort. For more information about Structure House and the value of a healthy diet, exercise, and lifestyle change in the fight against diabetes, visit www.structurehouse.com.