Rethinking Type 2 Diabetes Treatment: A Closer Look at Traditional Medicine
In the world of diabetes care, there’s a growing recognition that traditional methods of managing Type 2 diabetes may not always work. As healthcare providers navigate the complexities of this disease, one voice that stands out is that of Lisa Parker, MSN, FNP-C, BC-ADM, MHP, who not only is a family nurse practitioner but has also been board-certified in advanced diabetes management for the past 15 years. Lisa is one of two metabolic health practitioners in Southern Oregon who is accredited by the Society for Metabolic Health Practitioners. With years of experience as a metabolic health provider at OnePeak Medical in Ashland, Oregon, she emphasizes the need to reevaluate long-standing medical advice. She offers a fresh perspective on managing blood sugar levels effectively.
Understanding Insulin and Insulin Resistance
Insulin is a crucial hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels by facilitating the movement of glucose from our bloodstream into cells, where it’s used for energy. However, many individuals—develop insulin resistance. This means the cells in their muscles, fat, and liver don’t respond properly to insulin. Over time, this resistance causes weight gain and can spiral into prediabetes or full-blown Type 2 diabetes, a condition that currently affects over 84 million (1 in 3 adults) in the United States.
Lisa highlights a critical issue: confusion. “There are too many conflicting messages about how to manage diabetes, and people don’t know who to trust,” she explains. This uncertainty often leaves patients feeling helpless and frustrated.
The Core Problem: Misguided Dietary Recommendations
At the heart of traditional diabetes management resides a significant oversight: the advice to consume a minimum of 150 grams of carbohydrates daily. For individuals with Type 2 diabetes, this recommendation can be counterproductive. Lisa points out that “due to insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetics cannot use carbohydrates effectively.” They are prescribed medications to try to reduce blood sugar that is being elevated by the food they are being told to eat. This feeds the Type 2 diabetes, so “things never get better.” She adds that many people are scared into this cycle of mismanagement, being told their brains won’t have energy to use if they don’t eat enough carbohydrates.
The historical emphasis on carbohydrates has shaped American dietary patterns. For many, meals have become predominantly carb-heavy, leading to a cycle of hunger and fatigue—a reality Lisa witnesses daily. She uses continuous glucose monitoring to find out what is feeding the Type 2 diabetes. It is almost always significant hunger. “My patients cry when I show them why they are hungry all the time,” she shares.
A New Approach: High-Fat, Low-Carb Diets
Lisa advocates for a radical shift in dietary recommendations: increasing healthy fats and significantly reducing carbohydrates. She has seen many positive patient experiences resulting from a high-fat, moderate-protein, low-carb diet, such as reversing type 2 diabetes and obesity and restoring insulin sensitivity. It’s a proposition that might sound daunting and counterintuitive to many, especially when the prevailing narrative has long been about limiting fats. However, Lisa explains that consuming saturated fat increases a person’s production of GLP-1 in the gut, which is why they feel fuller sooner and longer.
The popular drug Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
“People are injecting themselves with Ozempic to lose weight when they could simply change their diet by eating more saturated fat and get the same effect without the side effects that are coming to light now,” said Lisa.
This simple dietary change allows patients to feel fuller for longer, reducing insulin levels and breaking the cycle of dependency on quick energy sources from sugar or carbs.
Eliminating vegetable oils and emphasizing more traditional fats—like butter, lard, and bacon grease—can also combat inflammation, a contributor to diabetes. Lisa points out that the rise of vegetable oils in American diets over the last century has coincided with increased rates of diabetes, a trend that should prompt a reevaluation of what we consider healthy.
Educating and Empowering Patients
The path to effectively managing Type 2 diabetes lies in education and understanding. Lisa emphasizes identifying individual patient needs and tailoring dietary advice accordingly. Lisa can transform her patients’ health by combining continuous glucose monitoring with customized nutritional recommendations, intermittent fasting, and therapeutic carbohydrate reduction. Still, she stresses the necessity of showing patients what’s truly at the heart of their struggles with blood sugar management.
A Call for Change
In a landscape filled with confusion and mixed messages, Lisa Parker’s insights challenge us to reconsider how we approach Type 2 diabetes. By acknowledging the limitations of traditional dietary advice and exploring alternative strategies centered on understanding insulin usage, we can empower patients to take control of their health.
As the prevalence of insulin resistance continues to rise, it’s clear that rethinking our approach to diabetes treatment isn’t just necessary—it’s crucial. Clarity and practical strategies can pave the way for a healthier, more fulfilling life for individuals battling Type 2 diabetes. To schedule an appointment with Lisa Parker in Ashland or any of our other experienced providers located throughout Oregon, visit us online here.