It has become the norm for Type 2 Diabetes patients to use medicine in some form to manage their blood sugar. However, there are multiple natural diabetes solutions which can reduce or eliminate the need for pharmaceutical-based treatments. This news is especially pertinent as more cases of bladder cancer are being linked to common diabetes treatments, such as thiazolidinedione (TZDs) drugs. A recent study found that diabetes patients who use these drugs, marketed most commonly as Actos and Avandia, are 2-3 times more likely to develop bladder cancer than patients using sulfonylurea drugs, such as Glucotrol. 

It is important to point out that the increased risk with diabetes medications is not isolated to TZD's, however. For example

• Metformin in the class of Biguanides can increase the incidence of digestive problems like indigestion and diarrhea.
• Glyburide in the class of Sulfonylurea can also increase the incidence of digestive problems like nausea, heart burn, and indigestion. 
• Acorbose in the class of Alphaglucosidase Inhibitors can also increase the chance of digestive problems. With acarbose the incidence of these digestive problems are quite common but typically get better as your body adjusts to the medicine. The problems could be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and indigestion. 
• Januvia in the class of DPP-4 Inhibitors there is concern about the drug increasing melanoma. It is known to increase the incidence of upper respiratory infections, elevated liver enzymes, and swelling in hands and legs. 

The more individuals do to manage diabetes naturally, the less dependent they will be on medication with high-risk side effects. That being said, we also have to keep in mind that elevated blood sugar has it's own risks. If you are not controlling your blood sugar, your greatest health risk is the consequenses of elevated blood sugar. 

Arizona naturopathic physicians provide natural and safe diabetes solutions.

Of coarse diet, exercise, lifestyle, and weight loss are key factors in lowering blood sugar levels naturally. Naturopathic physicians optimize these factors before using medications or other means to lower blood sugar. Once the body's blood sugar levels decrease, they may need additional natural or pharmaceutical medications to reduce blood sugar. The goal is to have the patient become less and less dependent on medicine-oriented treatments over time. Different aspects of these lifestyle changes may be more or less important for any given person. The job of the naturopathic physicians to determine which are contributing to your elevated glucose and implement a plan to reduce their impact. Here are some examples:

• Diet- Diet is one of the most powerful forces contributing to - and reversing - Type 2 Diabetes. Naturopathic doctors use a step-by-step approach to change their patients' diets to lower blood sugar levels. Increasing fiber and reducing simple and complex carbohydrates can significantly reduce blood sugar levels. 

Other simple solutions such as B12 Vitamin injections or magnesium injections ensure the body is properly nourished and give increased energy to the cells for metabolic function. By providing adequate nourishment, many patients often find unhealthy food cravings and poor eating habits diminish.

• Lifestyle changes- Not only do high blood sugar levels lead to Type 2 Diabetes, blood sugar can be a factor in developing heart disease. By taking a holistic approach evaluating diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits, we often make connections our patients weren't able to on their own. It's no secret that making simple changes to diet and exercise programs can help your health But what about other unhealthy habits? For example, when we are stressed, our blood sugar levels rise and stay elevated for longer. Studies show that integrating stress relieving therapies such as massage, acupuncture, and/or Yoga and Tai Chi, can significantly improve a patient's blood sugar and diabetes. 

• Weight Loss- As anyone who has struggled to maintain a health weight knows, there is more to weight loss than eating less and moving more. There has to be a sustainable change in thought and energetic patterns as well. Naturopathic physicians don't just treat symptoms, they work with patients to get to the heart of the matter so that the change can be maintained from the inside out. Sometime this is a hormone imbalance and sometimes it is finding an exercise program that will work with their life. We believe that a weight loss clinic for diabetes patients take extra steps to ensure unhealthy weight stays off.

There are many health risks associated with Diabetes most of which involve the cardiovascular system. Integrative medicine approaches these risks with respect yet tries to optimize those natural solutions that have the least risk and most impact to reduce your cardiovascular risks.