A Functional Medicine Approach to Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health conditions worldwide, and in many cases, it is preventable and even reversible. While conventional medicine typically focuses on medication to manage blood sugar levels, a functional medicine approach looks deeper, seeking to understand the underlying causes and supporting long-term remission through personalised nutrition, lifestyle, and therapeutic strategies.

At Steve Grant Health, I help clients to uncover what is driving their blood sugar dysregulation and implement targeted, realistic interventions that can transform health outcomes.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterised by insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose levels. It develops when the body becomes less sensitive to insulin, or the pancreas does not produce enough to maintain healthy glucose levels. Over time, this can lead to widespread systemic damage, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and more.

3 Fundamental Causes of Type 2 Diabetes

Excess Production

Overproduction of glucose by the liver, often driven by elevated glucagon and stress hormones such as cortisol.

Over Consumption

A diet high in refined carbohydrates, sugar, and fats, combined with excess calorie intake and thus fat gain.

Poor Clearance

Inefficient use of glucose due to low muscle activity, poor insulin sensitivity, and impaired liver or kidney function.

My approach investigates these root drivers to develop a comprehensive plan that aligns with your physiology, preferences, and goals.

What Are the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes can present with a variety of symptoms that may be subtle at first. These include:

• Fatigue, particularly after meals.
• Increased hunger and cravings for carbohydrates and sugar.
• Difficulty concentrating or brain fog.
• Weight gain, especially around the abdomen.
• Increased thirst and frequent urination.
• Blurred vision.
• Slow wound healing.
• Frequent infections (e.g. yeast, urinary tract).
• Skin changes such as skin tags or darkened patches of skin.
• Early intervention can prevent progression and significantly improve quality of life.

Who Is Most at Risk?

• Adults over 45, particularly those who are overweight or physically inactive. Although insulin resistance, prediabetes and even full blown diabetes is become more common in younger populations as the metabolic health continues to decline.
• Individuals with a family history of type 2 diabetes.
• People with high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol levels.
• Individuals of South Asian, African, or Caribbean descent.
• Women with a history of gestational diabetes.

In the UK, over 3 million people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and nearly 1 million remain undiagnosed. A further 7 million are living with prediabetes.

The good news: Type 2 diabetes is largely influenced by lifestyle choices, which means you have significant control over your outcome.

How Does Functional Medicine Address Type 2 Diabetes?

We go beyond basic blood sugar readings and take a systems-based view of your metabolic health. This includes:

• Investigating dietary triggers, inflammatory drivers, and nutrient deficiencies.
• Assessing insulin resistance, hormone function, and digestive health.
• Understanding sleep, stress, movement, and environmental contributors.
• Using advanced testing and thorough case reviews to guide personalised interventions.

The Best Diet for Type 2 Diabetes

There is no single “best” diet, but certain principles remain consistent. My goal is to identify a dietary strategy that is effective and sustainable for you. Approaches shown to be beneficial include:

Mediterranean Diet

This diet is rich in vegetables, legumes, fish, and healthy fats

Plant-based Diets

This diet can be effective for some in improving insulin sensitivity

Low-Carb, Paleo or Ketogenic Diets

These diets can be helpful in stabilising blood glucose in specific cases but often unnecessarily restrictive.

I tailor your dietary strategy based on food preferences, time availability, family commitments, and physiological needs, while ensuring it is practical and non-restrictive.

Can Diet Reverse Type 2 Diabetes?

Yes, in many cases. Excess energy intake and increased body fat, particularly visceral fat are key drivers of insulin resistance. A properly designed, nutrient-dense diet alongside appropriate movement strategies can:

• Promote weight loss
• Improve blood glucose regulation
• Reduce systemic inflammation
• Restore insulin sensitivity

I do not believe you need to cut out all your favourite foods. I help you focus on what to eat more of, not just what to avoid, and create a way of eating that supports long-term success.

How Does a Poor Diet Contribute?

Dietary patterns high in refined carbohydrates, processed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, and saturated fats promote chronic inflammation, caloric excess, insulin resistance, and weight gain. These create the perfect storm for the development of type 2 diabetes.

Low intake of vegetables, fibre, protein and essential nutrients further impairs metabolic flexibility and glucose control.

Why Weight Management Matters

Excess weight, particularly around the abdomen, is strongly linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Even a 5–10% reduction in body weight can:

• Improve insulin sensitivity
• Lower blood glucose levels
• Reduce medication dependency
• Improve sleep, mood, and cardiovascular health

I provide individualised support for weight management that integrates nutrition, movement, mindset, and accountability.

The Role of Sleep and Circadian Health

Poor sleep is a significant but often overlooked contributor to type 2 diabetes. Short sleep duration, disrupted sleep, and exposure to artificial light at night all impair glucose metabolism.

Improving sleep hygiene, reducing blue light exposure, and addressing sleep disorders can improve insulin sensitivity, energy levels, and appetite regulation.

The Impact of Exercise

Regular physical activity is one of the most effective tools for improving insulin sensitivity and reversing type 2 diabetes. This means focusing on general daily movement as well as specific exercise types. Benefits include:

• Increased glucose uptake into muscle
• Reduced visceral fat
• Improved cardiovascular health
• Enhanced mood and energy

Even modest increases in daily movement can lead to measurable improvements. I can help design an exercise plan that is appropriate for your health status, time availability, and goals.

Stress and Blood Sugar Regulation

Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which in turn increases glucose production and promotes visceral fat accumulation. It also affects behaviour, often leading to poor food choices and disrupted sleep.

I work with you to manage stress through:

• Breathwork and relaxation techniques
• Mindfulness-based approaches
• Sleep and recovery optimisation

Can Nutritional Supplements Help?

Targeted supplements may support glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity. Some of the most researched include:

• Magnesium
• Alpha-lipoic acid
• Berberine
• Chromium
• Resveratrol

I only recommend supplements based on individual needs, functional testing, and current medication usage to avoid interactions.

Is Type 2 Diabetes Reversible?

For many individuals, yes. Remission is possible with the right support, knowledge, and consistency. This does not require perfection, it requires a strategic, personalised, and sustainable plan.

Your Next Steps

I am here to help you regain control of your health. Whether you are newly diagnosed, managing long-term diabetes, or seeking to avoid progression from prediabetes. I provide the following options:

Functional Health Assessment

A one-off consultation and testing package to identify your root causes and risk factors. I then help to develop a strategy and roadmap to help you overcome diabetes naturally. View my Functional Health Assessment page for more information.

Functional Medicine Support

Ready to commit to ongoing functional medicine support to help overcome type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes or insulin resistance? Check out my Functional Medicine page to learn more about functional medicine in general and my approach when working with clients.

Book a free discovery call

Book your discovery call to learn more about my approach and discover the best next step for your situation.

Let’s work together to help you move beyond managing symptoms and towards true transformation!