Treating Diabetes: Innovative Clinical Therapies

Learn about oxygen and light therapies used to treat type 2 diabetes and its complications

Combined, a proper diabetic diet (one that includes a mini-fast), targeted nutritional support, and regular exercise are the most effective way to naturally treat type 2 diabetes.

But depending on your situation, you may also benefit from these clinical therapies, which I’ve found to be extremely helpful in treating diabetes and its complications:

• Infrared Light Therapy
• HBOT and EECP
• EDTA Chelation

Infrared Light Therapy

Infrared light therapy stimulates the production of nitric oxide, a compound that dilates the arteries and improves blood flow by as much as 400 percent.

Several studies support infrared light’s benefits for diabetic neuropathy. In addition to helping restore sensation and reduce risk of amputation, it has also been shown to improve balance and reduce falls by 96 percent.

Learn more about how infrared light therapy is administered.

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HBOT and EECP

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) are all about oxygen.

HBOT, which involves breathing concentrated oxygen in a pressurized chamber, saturates tissues with oxygen and helps “wake up” damaged nerves. Because many bacteria cannot survive in an oxygen-rich environment, HBOT facilitates the healing of diabetic ulcers.

EECP also increases oxygen delivery throughout the body, but by rhythmically squeezing the lower extremities. The therapy stimulates the production of new blood vessels, which means its benefits are enduring. Although EECP is used primarily to treat patients with heart disease, it benefits many other conditions, including kidney disease and other complications of diabetes.

Learn more about HBOT and EECP.

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EDTA Chelation

EDTA chelation is an FDA-approved intravenous therapy that removes toxic heavy metals from the blood, improves circulation, and restores arterial health. I also use this therapy to treat patients with early kidney disease (a common diabetes complication) because, even at low levels, lead has been shown to speed the progression of kidney damage. (Note: I would never offer an intravenous therapy to patients with severe kidney failure—they just cannot handle that much excess fluid.

Learn more about EDTA chelation.

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More Dr. Whitaker Advice on Diabetes

• How to plan a diabetic diet
• How a mini-fast can help you lose weight and reverse type 2 diabetes
• Recommended nutrients for anyone with type 2 diabetes
• How to treat diabetic neuropathy naturally