Type 2 Diabetes is on the rise at a very rapid rate.  Changes in dietary habits and weight gain are the main contributing factors.If you are a person who has excess weight, you probably will have experienced how hard it is to get back to healthy eating habits. In the USA “From 1980 to 2008 the number of people diagnosed with diabetes, of which 90% is type 2, has increased from 153 million to 347million.”¹  

What has your gut microbiome health got to do with Diabetes?

It has been known for a long time that your gut microbiome plays an important role in your overall health. When your gut microbiome is in balance you produce metabolites (products produced by various biochemical processes in your body) that promote a healthy digestive system. These restrict inflammation, promote repair, control sugar balance and regulate food intake. Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes or who are obese have a depleted gut microbiome.

How do you know if you have depleted gut microbiota?

There are common warning signs that may indicate that something is out of balance with your gut microbiota. These include:

• Bloating
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Flatulence
• Indigestion
• Heartburn or reflux
• Irritable bowel syndrome

What are common symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?

Diabetes can develop at any time during your life and usually develops over a long period of time. In Type 2 Diabetes the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin and slowly becomes unable to manage blood glucose levels. The most common warning symptoms include:

• Feeling more thirsty than usual
• Urinating more often than you used to
• Feeling fatigued
• Slow healing wounds
• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth
• Itching and skin infections
• Yeast infections
• Pain or numbness in your feet or legs

We are learning more about the role of microbiome health, including its effect at a cellular and genetic level. This includes increasing evidence that the composition of the gut microbiota plays a role in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. Changes to gut microbriome can play a role in the development of Type 2 Diabetes. Diet and lifestyle modifications in line with those advised for Type 2 Diabetes (such as a wholefood diet, exercise and relaxation), along with a gut repair protocol are  important to help re-establish a  healthy gut microbiome and regulate blood sugar levels.

Naturopath Janne Ramsay

Janne Ramsay has a special interest in digestive health and the role that microbiome, diet and lifestyle have on your overall health at a cellular and genetic level. Janne specialises in identifying the root cause of the problems that her patients are experiencing and then tailors an individual treatment protocol for them. To achieve good health and wellness in 2017 book an appointment with Janne to review your health and learn more about maintaining better wellness and energy. If you would like to find out more book in to attend a free workshop on Detox and Digestion. Learn more about Janne here... 1 Hartstra AV, et al. Insights into the role of the microbiome in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2015 Jan ;38(1):159-165. Available at https://doi.org/10.2337/dc14-0769 2 Type 2 Diabetes. Better Health Channel. Available at http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/condiationsandtreatments/diabetes-type-2