Can You Treat Type 1 Diabetes Naturally? A Functional Medicine Framework

As a functional medicine practitioner, I spend every day looking into the root causes of people’s health conditions in order to be able to provide a more holistic, whole body healing path. 

Not only is every condition different, every individual case is different. Not every disease can be completely reversed. But functional medicine and the right natural approaches can pretty well always help. 

Today, I want to focus on type 1 diabetes. Many people are told there is nothing they can do but take insulin. While the vast majority of individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes do need to maintain ongoing medical treatment with insulin, a functional medicine approach can often help to reduce insulin dosage, improve symptoms, and, importantly, help to prevent further autoimmunity. 

Let’s explore the most beneficial approaches I use in my telehealth functional medicine practice, as well as some exciting new research developments. 

Understanding Type 1 Diabetes 

Diabetes mellitus is a group of conditions that occur when blood sugar levels are consistently too high. The most common types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2, and the fundamental difference between them is what causes them. 

In the case of type 2 diabetes, a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors combine to create insulin resistance, a state in which the body’s cells don’t respond properly to the blood sugar regulating hormone insulin, eventually leading to the pancreas producing less of it. 

While emerging research suggests a likely autoimmune component to type 2 diabetes as well, type 1 diabetes is well understood to be an autoimmune condition. (1) In the case of type 1 diabetes, the body mistakenly attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. This leads to insulin deficiency, rather than insulin resistance. 

Type 1 diabetes is most commonly diagnosed in children and young adults. Adults can also develop a related condition called Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA), often referred to as type 1.5 diabetes because it shares characteristics of both type 1 and type 2. 

In addition to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), symptoms of type 1 diabetes may include: 

• Increased thirst
• Increased frequency of urination
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blurry vision
• Numbness or tingling in the extremities 

Most symptoms are managed with insulin treatment. There are also possible complications of diabetes. If type 1 diabetes goes untreated or is mismanaged, it can lead to an increased risk of high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, nerve damage, and retinopathy.

Can Type 1 Diabetes Be Reversed? 

This is always an important question to ask. In most cases, type 1 diabetes won’t be completely reversed. A big reason for this is that usually by the time it’s found and diagnosed, enough damage has been done to the pancreas that it can no longer produce sufficient insulin on its own. 

This really speaks to the importance of better detection and prevention based on risk factors, an important area of ongoing research. (2) 

With that said, in my clinical experience, many people can significantly improve their overall health and reduce their need for insulin with a functional medicine approach. I’ve seen lots of patients be able to maintain stable blood sugar on only minimal insulin doses. 

The goal is to support your body’s healing capacity to the fullest extent possible, whatever that looks like in your case.

I’m also never going to say never. Is it possible for type 1 diabetes to be reversed? I would say yes. Is it likely in most cases today? No. However, there’s some very interesting research emerging that may help us change this in the future. For example, while these findings are still early, I’ve seen some exciting case studies on individuals with type 1 diabetes coming off insulin therapy following stem cell treatment (I’ll cover this more below). 

Root Causes of Type 1 Diabetes

Identifying the root causes and triggers of any condition is foundational to a functional medicine approach. When we can find and address imbalances or other issues that may have led or contributed to type 1 diabetes, we can work to reduce further autoimmunity and get the body back into balance as much as possible. 

While there is a genetic component, genes alone don’t cause type 1 diabetes. Here are some of the most common environmental and lifestyle factors that can contribute: 

Gut Dysbiosis 

A disrupted gut microbiome, which may occur as a result of antibiotic use, poor diet, stress, or a combination of these and other factors, is found at the root of many autoimmune conditions, including type 1 diabetes. (3) In those with type 1 diabetes, we often see decreased levels of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, and a reduction in short-chain fatty acid production, which is critical for immune regulation. (4)

Leaky Gut 

Increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut), connected to gut dysbiosis, is another very common culprit behind autoimmunity. (5) When the gut lining is compromised, unwanted microbes and undigested food particles can slip out into the bloodstream, triggering the immune system. Over time, this triggers systemic inflammation and can contribute to autoimmunity. 

Viral Infections

Viral triggers, especially enteroviruses and particularly Coxsackie B viruses, are associated with the onset of type 1 diabetes. (6) These viruses can trigger immune system confusion, leading the body to attack pancreatic beta cells. Other kinds of viruses may also trigger this autoimmune cascade—notably, COVID-19 has recently been linked to the development of type 1 diabetes. (7)

Nutrient Deficiencies 

Low levels of certain nutrients are associated with an increased risk of autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes. Low levels of vitamin D in particular have been linked to type 1 diabetes. (8) 

Natural Treatments for Type 1 Diabetes: A Functional Medicine Toolbox

To be clear, insulin is a necessary part of type 1 diabetes management. But there are also several natural, evidence-based strategies you can use at the same time to support the body, help stabilize blood sugar, lower inflammation, and reduce overall autoimmunity. 

#1. Nutritional Strategies For Stabilizing Blood Sugar

How, when, and what you eat play a massive role in glycemic control. 

The starting point is to make sure you’re eating a nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory diet overall (and eliminating processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and sugar). 

From there, some of the best strategies for stabilizing blood sugar include the ketogenic diet and the fasting-mimicking diet. Studies have shown that keto diets can reduce blood glucose variability, HbA1c levels, and the need for insulin. (9) For those wanting a plant-forward approach, my Ketotarian protocol blends the benefits of keto with nutrient-rich plant foods. 

Intermittent fasting and fasting-mimicking diets can also improve blood sugar stability. (10) I would recommend working with a trusted healthcare provider (and ideally a functional medicine practitioner) who can help you develop a fasting strategy that’s sustainable and works for you. You can also check out my book Intuitive Fasting, which guides you through a flexible four-week plan to get you started. 

Make sure you’re also getting enough high-fiber whole foods. Fiber feeds your beneficial gut bacteria and supports blood sugar regulation. Emphasize leafy greens, berries, nuts, seeds, cruciferous vegetables, and legumes (if tolerated). 

Including anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon can also help support overall health and wellbeing with type 1 diabetes. 

READ: Best Way To Meal Plan For A Type 1 Diabetes Diet 

#2. Heal Your Gut and Gut-Immune Axis 

The majority of the immune system resides in the gut, and it’s essential to prioritize gut health in any autoimmune protocol. 

Probiotic supplements and fermented foods can help to rebalance the gut microbiome. Studies have shown that high-dose, multi-strain probiotics can reduce the need for insulin and improve HbA1c levels in new-onset type 1 diabetes. (11) 

For those with leaky gut, targeted supplements including L-glutamine, zinc, and collagen can help to support gut lining integrity. 

Try my blend Gut Feelings for comprehensive gut and mind support.  

I almost always recommend gut microbiome testing in order to get a better picture of what’s going on in an individual’s gut. With this information, we can come up with a personalized gut healing protocol. 

#3. Supportive Supplements 

Supplements aren’t a replacement for insulin, but the right ones can support metabolic balance and immune function. A few that can be helpful are: 

• Vitamin D: Essential for immune system regulation. Many people with type 1 diabetes are deficient, and studies show that supplementation may slow the destruction of pancreatic beta cells, especially if started early. (12) 
• Magnesium: Magnesium is often depleted in diabetes. Supplemental magnesium can help support blood sugar control and calm the nervous system. (13) 
• Curcumin: Curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory, can significantly improve symptoms of type 1 diabetes and reduce oxidative stress. (14) 
• Chromium: Chromium may help to support stable blood sugar and glucose control, and reduce HbA1c. (15) This is why it’s a key ingredient in my Stabilize blend, designed to support healthy blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity. 

#4. The Promise of Stem Cell Therapy 

Some of the most exciting research we’re seeing when it comes to type 1 diabetes treatment is on stem cell therapy, which has the potential to help regenerate pancreatic tissue and restore function. One case study out of China found that a young woman with type 1 diabetes began producing insulin on her own within three months of receiving reprogrammed stem cells from her own fat cells. (16) 

Researchers from the Vancouver General Hospital Diabetes Centre and the University of British Columbia (UBC) have recently trialed a stem-cell based device that aims to replicate the function of a healthy pancreas. In this small but compelling clinical trial published in Nature Biotechnology, several participants who previously had no natural insulin production began making their own insulin and significantly reduced their dependence on daily insulin injections. (17) 

This is just the beginning, and hopefully we’ll see some large scale, randomized controlled trials on stem cell therapy for type 1 diabetes in the not too distant future. 

#5. Addressing Polyautoimmunity and Prevention of Future Conditions

Those who have one autoimmune condition are more likely to develop others. That’s why we don’t want to stop at just regulating blood glucose levels—we want to regulate immune system function across the board in order to prevent further autoimmunity. 

In order to reduce systemic inflammation and autoimmunity, we work with diabetic patients to identify and remove unique triggers (these may include gluten, mold, viruses, or many other factors), supporting detoxification pathways, balancing hormones, and building metabolic flexibility. 

A Personalized, Whole Body Approach To Type 1 Diabetes

Functional medicine doesn’t promise to cure type 1 diabetes, but it does offer a personalized, root-cause focused approach to whole body health and reducing insulin dependence. There is always more that can be done to support your body, mind, and spirit, shifting from symptom management to true wellness. 

If you’d like to work with our functional medicine telehealth team to develop an individualized plan for your type 1 diabetes, please reach out to us anytime. 

As one of the first functional medicine telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam health consultations for people around the globe.

Sources

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