Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes and regulates blood sugar (glucose)—your body’s primary energy source. But in functional medicine, we look beyond blood sugar levels to understand why the body is out of balance in the first place.
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, Type 1, or pre-diabetes, our goal is to help you get to the root cause and support your body’s ability to restore metabolic health naturally.
The Most Common Types of Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes
The most common form—caused by insulin resistance, where the body stops responding properly to insulin. Often linked to lifestyle, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction.
Type 1 Diabetes
An autoimmune condition where the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Requires lifelong insulin but can benefit greatly from gut, immune, and inflammation support.
Pre-Diabetes
A warning sign: blood sugar levels are elevated but not yet in the diabetic range. This is a powerful window for reversal and prevention.
What Causes Blood Sugar Imbalance?
In functional medicine, we see blood sugar problems as a symptom of deeper dysfunction in the body. Some of the most common contributors include:
- Poor Diet
Excess refined carbs, sugar, and processed foods can spike blood sugar and increase insulin resistance.
- Chronic Inflammation
Low-grade, systemic inflammation disrupts how your cells respond to insulin.
- Insulin Resistance
When cells stop responding to insulin, glucose builds up in the blood instead of being used for energy.
- Gut Microbiome Imbalances
The gut impacts everything from blood sugar regulation to inflammation and immune balance.
- Chronic Stress
Long-term stress raises cortisol, which can increase blood sugar and contribute to weight gain and fatigue.
- Poor Sleep and Sedentary Lifestyle
Both affect how your body uses glucose and recovers from inflammation.
- Toxins and Hormone Disruptors
Environmental toxins can impair insulin signaling and drive weight gain and metabolic dysfunction.
A Functional Medicine Approach to Diabetes
Rather than just managing symptoms with medication, functional medicine aims to restore your body’s natural ability to regulate blood sugar. Many people with Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes can dramatically improve—or even reverse—their condition through targeted, root-cause care.
Your personalized plan may include:
- Advanced lab testing (insulin, A1C, inflammatory markers, nutrient status, hormones)
- Anti-inflammatory, blood sugar-stabilizing nutrition
- Gut healing and microbiome support
- Targeted supplements (e.g., berberine, chromium, magnesium, omega-3s)
- Exercise and movement tailored to you
- Stress and sleep optimization
- Toxin reduction and detox support
Learn more from our nutritional coach, Julie:
