Natural Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes: A Naturopathic Doctor's Root-Cause Approach

You take your medication. You're eating reasonably well. And your blood sugar is still hard to control. That's frustrating, and it's usually a sign that something deeper is being missed.

I'm Dr. Elie Klein, ND, and in 23 years of clinical practice, I've worked with many people in exactly this position.

Who this page is for

This page is for you if you have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes and:

• You're doing what you were told to do and your blood sugar still won't stabilize
• You worry about complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss and blindness, nerve damage and foot problems
• You worry that you're becoming over-medicated and what that is doing to your health
• You're dealing with fatigue, sleep disturbances, numbness or burning in your feet or hands (neuropathy), or other symptoms of poor sugar control

Ready to talk? Start with a free 15-minute conversation, or book your first consultation.

Book a Consultation or a Free 15-Minute Call

Why blood sugar stays high

Two people can eat exactly the same amount of carbohydrate. One develops diabetes. The other doesn't. The difference isn't willpower, and it isn't only diet. It's whether their cells can take up glucose and turn it into energy.

High blood sugar is the result of glucose failing to get into your cells. In type 2 diabetes, something is blocking that uptake, or blocking the way cells convert glucose to energy, which is the whole purpose of glucose. Medication can push the number down, but if the block remains, the underlying problem remains.

My work is to find what is blocking glucose metabolism and help your cells recover their ability to use it.

My root-cause, functional medicine approach: rehabilitating how your cells handle glucose

Lowering blood sugar naturally isn't about fearing carbohydrates. It's about restoring your cells' ability to handle carbs and glucose properly. The carbohydrates that serve you best are those that carry the vitamins and minerals your cells use as coenzymes and cofactors in glucose metabolism.

Your plan includes:

• A personalized diet plan, with my help and support in putting it into practice
• Individualized herbal, nutraceutical and lifestyle interventions, chosen for you and not taken from a template

What I look at beyond A1C and fasting glucose

A1C and fasting glucose tell you where your sugar is. I also look at:

• C-peptide, which shows how your body is producing and handling insulin
• Kidney markers, to see how your kidneys are coping
• Inflammatory markers
• Markers of oxidation

These give a fuller picture of what is driving your blood sugar and whether complications are developing.

Working alongside your doctor

My approach isn't meant to replace your doctor's treatment. It's meant to complement it, and, ideally, to support and improve it.

What we aim for

Better A1C and blood glucose readings, steadier energy, better sleep, and relief from symptoms such as neuropathy. If you'd like to find out what kind of results other people have had, reach out to me and I'll send you a link.

Virtual care across Ontario, or in person in Vaughan (Greater Toronto Area)

Appointments are by secure video from the comfort of your home, anywhere in Ontario. If you prefer a one-on-one visit in person, you're welcome to come to my home office in Vaughan, in the Greater Toronto Area. Most extended health plans in Ontario cover naturopathic care.

Book a Consultation or a Free 15-Minute Call

Related reading

• Natural diabetes and blood sugar treatment: a naturopathic doctor's approach
• Natural cholesterol treatment: a naturopathic doctor's approach

Frequently asked questions

Can type 2 diabetes be treated naturally?

Natural treatment for diabetes means addressing why glucose isn't getting into your cells: nutrition, nutrient cofactors, inflammation and metabolic health, as a complement to your doctor's care.

How can I lower my blood sugar naturally?

It starts with finding what's blocking your cells from using glucose, then supporting them with the right foods, nutrients, herbs and lifestyle changes. A personalized plan matters because the cause differs from person to person.

Why is my blood sugar still high when I take my medication and eat well?

Medication and generic diet advice don't always address the underlying problem: impaired glucose uptake and metabolism in your cells.

Do I have to cut out carbohydrates?

Not necessarily. The aim is restoring how your cells handle carbohydrates, using carbohydrate sources that provide the vitamins and minerals involved in glucose metabolism.

Do you treat prediabetes?

Yes. Addressing the problem early is the best way to avoid complications down the road.

What tests do you use besides A1C?

C-peptide, kidney markers, inflammatory markers and markers of oxidation, in addition to A1C and fasting glucose.

Can diabetes care be done virtually?

Yes. We meet by video, and I review your existing lab results and recommend any further testing.

This page is educational and isn't meant to replace your doctor's care.