In 1990, I was pregnant with gestational diabetes. They assigned me to a diabetic nutritionist. I lost fourteen pounds, and both my baby and I came through healthy. However, my doctor asked me about my family’s medical history regarding diabetes. Once you have gestational diabetes, it is likely it could return. According to my mother, we did not have diabetes in our background. I was relieved until we went to my father’s family reunion. Speaking with my relatives, I discovered diabetes ran rampant on this familial side.
Diabetes Diagnosis
In 2004, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I was given medication, and I exercised. Over the years, my weight fluctuated and they changed my medications as new ones came on the market. I kept wondering, with all the innovations that were happening, why can’t they cure this disease?
How Diabetes has Effected Me
One effect that occurred was neuropathy in my toes. They feel numb most of the time, with occasional shooting pain. The concern is if I get a cut, and it goes unnoticed, then it could lead to serious complications. The worst being gangrene, requiring amputation. I have protein in my urine, which requires me to take a pressure pill, even though I don’t have high blood pressure. My skin is dry and cuts easily. Emotionally, knowing the possible consequences of this disease makes me concerned about my future.
Medications and Physicians.
In my twenty years with diabetes, they have changed my medications as newer products were introduced. Currently, I’m taking Ozempic, Jardiance and I just got off Metformin. From these drugs, I experienced nausea, lack of appetite, and a general feeling of being unwell. In addition to my primary doctor, I see an endocrinologist every three months. Before my appointment, I take labs to check my A1C and. other body functions. A1C is a measure of your glucose findings over a 3–month period. Below 5.7 is a non–diabetic level. Prior to my journey, mine was between 6.5-6.9 with all the medications I’m taking.
The Journey
As I stated, I always believed that type 2 diabetes could be cured. I would search to see if any new discoveries have surfaced. I was not looking forward to worsening symptoms as I grew older. One day, on Facebook I came across a site that claimed to reverse diabetes. I was moderately skeptical, but found out more.
Gathering Information
I signed up for an online meeting. The Integrative Wellness Center is in San Diego, so we would meet on Zoom. One prerequisite was my husband had to be there too. There is a lot of information, and to pursue this program, you need support. To figure out your individual treatment, you must have extensive blood work and a urinalysis that you do at your home and send back. From these results, a plan is created that will span over 9 months.
Dr. Jason Shumard
After the devastating loss of his mother from diabetes, Dr. Shumard committed himself to help others to cure their illness. He studied functional medicine (FM) and started his practice. Functional medicine is a holistic application to patient healthcare. the focus is to address the root cause of chronic disease. To accomplish this, the FM looks at genetics, environment, lifestyle and biochemical factors.
The Plan
Once the blood tests and urinalysis were reviewed by Dr. Shumard, a plan is formed. The goal is to educate the patient on cleaning their bodies. This is done by eliminating processed foods and learning about alternatives. Another piece is to take supplements that build your immune system and clear out the toxins that are inhabiting your body. A crucial part of the program is providing a coach that will both guide and support you through the process. The patient meets with their coach every other week and can be reached in between as needed. There is also a Facebook community, which gathers once a month via Zoom.
Coaches
My coach is Danielle, she has a medical background also in functional medicine. Her belief in this program is because it not only addresses diet and lifestyle, but the clearing out of toxins through the supplements. This allows your cells to open up, which makes your body function the way it should. I am now almost five months in and Danielle has helped me navigate a diet unfamiliar to me and supplements that change bi–monthly as they work on different focuses.
Compliant Foods for Month One
Plan Nitty Gritty
In month one the diet is the limited. The foods allowed are lamb, fish, poultry, beans, vegetables, nuts, and most fruits. For me, this was challenging since I don’t eat fish. Some items that were eliminated are added back in month two. This includes red meat, eggs, shellfish which I eat and tomatoes. These additional selections made my food prep a lot easier.
Two food groups that are not on this plan are carbs and dairy. As part of my education, I now buy organic or grass–fed meat. There are plant–based items that can replace my hankering for carbs. My knowledge grows through the FB group and questioning Danielle. Frankly, I was surprised how tasty the plant–based products are. Buying these foods is pricier, but I cook more and eat out less, so the costs balance out. Drinking 10 glasses of water a day is also important to good health.
Supplements
The supplements change every two months. In months four. and five, I take ten various supplements in the morning and eight different ones at night. These are clearing out the toxins and building up my immune system. They need to be taken with a meal. For me, the hardest part was coordinating my prescribed medications with the supplements. They need to be taken, two hours apart.
Progress
When I went to my doctor, and she reviewed my labs, she kiddingly said, “you don’t require me anymore.” All my numbers were in a normal range and my A1C moved from 6.5 to 5.7. I eliminated one diabetic drug with hopes of not needing any in the future. I have lost ten pounds. I cleaned out my pantry and supplied myself with all compliant foods. Furthermore, I have added in exercise, and I’m feeling good.
Conclusion
This is not an easy road and not everybody has the motivation to go through this program. However, it took me twenty years to get here, so nine months is just a blip. There is also an expense, which includes the lab testing, supplements and the outstanding coaching you receive. Everyone has their priorities, and good health should be tops. If you are interested in this program, I am providing a link below. When I come to my nine month- mark, I will report back with the results. Remember if you don’t have quality health, then it’s difficult to succeed in anything else. To that I will say WTH.
