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An increased focus on stress for the management of blood glucose levels in type 1 diabetes: a case report
Journal article   Peer reviewed

An increased focus on stress for the management of blood glucose levels in type 1 diabetes: a case report

Danielle Gunns and Matthew Leach
Australian Journal of Herbal and Naturopathic Medicine, Vol.32(1), pp.10-14
01/03/2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33235/ajhnm.32.1.10-14

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Abstract

Alternative medicine Case reports Diabetes Diet Drug dosages Glucose Hemoglobin Hyperglycemia Insulin Intervention Meditation Metabolism Pathogenesis Patient compliance Polyuria Stress
The woman also reported the use of: (i) Insulin (Lantus and Novolin R, variable dose), (ii) Activated B vitamin complex with selenium (one tablet every 3 days, containing thiamine hydrochloride 50mg, nicotinic acid 5mg, nicotinamide 220mg, pantothenic acid 40mg, pyridoxal-5-phosphate monohydrate 10mg, folinic acid 200mcg, levomefolic acid 200mcg, riboflavin 20mg, co-methylcobalamin 500mcg and selenomethionine 26mcg), Vitamin C (500mg daily), (iii) Bacopa monnieri extract (equivalent to Bacopa monnieri dried whole plant 2.16g, one tablet daily), (iv) Probiotic - label information did not provide details on the strains included (one capsule daily) and (v) Magnesium chelate (equivalent to 150mg elemental magnesium, two tablets daily). The following observations were made during the clinical assessment: * Weight: 73.8kg * Height: 179.7cm * Body mass index: 23kg/m2 * Blood glucose level (fasting): 19.3mmol/L * Tongue: quivering, mild scalloping and central crack Management plan Naturopathic diagnosis: The patient was also advised to: * Increase consumption of low-fat, high-protein, low-GI, gluten-free foods (including reducing morning fruit intake to one low-GI fruit) to help stabilise blood glucose levels, reduce autoimmunity pathogenesis and reduce autoantibodies22,23. * Continue with self-prescribed herbal tea, two cups daily, to assist in reducing postprandial sugar cravings24-26. * Maintain water intake close to 2L/day to prevent diabetes-associated dehydration and to facilitate urinary excretion of glucose27. * Increase support network (e.g. seek out a personal counsellor and/or business coach/mentor) to help reduce perceived stress28. * Continue with exercise and effective stress management strategies (i.e. meditation and breathing exercises) to help stabilise blood glucose levels and reduce perceived stress10. A bioavailable magnesium supplement containing taurine was also commenced (7.0g daily, containing magnesium amino acid chelate 3.0g, taurine 600mg, glutamine 500mg, ascorbic acid 300mg, calcium hydrogen phosphate 269mg, potassium phosphate-monobasic 182mg, acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride 118mg, pyridoxine hydrochloride 50mg, nicotinamide 50mg, riboflavin 1.9mg, chromium nicotinate 250mcg, cyanocobalamin 150mcg and selenomethionine 62.5mcg); the rationale being to stabilise blood glucose levels.

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