A holistic, Naturopathic treatment approach to prediabetes
by Dr. Savannah Bukant, your Kirkland Naturopathic Doctor
A long-time patient came into my office, worried about his labs. His cholesterol was a little high, and his hemoglobin A1c came back at 5.7% - positive now for prediabetes. We had a long discussion about what this means and what to do about it. I want to share some helpful information with you about prediabetes—what causes it, and how to reverse it.
As a Kirkland Naturopathic doctor, I help people understand the root causes of their prediabetes and create a personalized plan for prevention and healing. I work with many patients who feel overwhelmed by their diagnosis. The truth is, diabetes is not caused by sugar alone, and simple, sustainable changes can go a long way in restoring your health.
What is prediabetes?
A diagnosis of prediabetes means that your blood sugar is higher than normal, but not yet in the diabetes range. Around 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. have prediabetes—and the vast majority of them don’t even know it. Why does this matter? Because if left untreated, prediabetes often progresses into diabetes, which carries a long list of health risks and complications.
The prevalence of prediabetes increases with age. In fact, almost half of all adults over age 65 are affected.
How is prediabetes diagnosed?
Prediabetes is identified by a fasting blood glucose of 100–125 mg/dL or a hemoglobin A1c of 5.7–6.4%. Numbers higher than this indicate diabetes. Think of prediabetes as being on the road to diabetes, but still at a stage where it can often be reversed. The A1c test measures how much glucose is attached to your red blood cells. Around 5% is considered normal. When this number is elevated, it means your body isn’t efficiently moving glucose into your cells for energy.
What are the symptoms of prediabetes?
Prediabetes is usually silent, with few to no symptoms. Some people might notice fatigue, sluggishness, or a slightly increased appetite. By contrast, diabetes often presents with more noticeable symptoms such as fatigue, increased thirst, frequent urination, and increased hunger. In more advanced cases, blurry vision, weight loss, or tingling in the hands and feet may develop.
These symptoms happen because glucose is stuck in the bloodstream instead of entering the cells where it’s needed for energy. As a result, your body feels tired and hungry, while the excess sugar spills into your urine. Water follows the glucose and leads to frequent and excessive urination (this happens moreso in diabetes, not in prediabetes).
What causes prediabetes and diabetes?
At the core, diabetes is a condition of insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone released by your pancreas after you eat carbohydrates or protein. Its job is to “knock on the door” of your cells, signaling them to let glucose inside to be used for energy. In prediabetes and diabetes, your cells don’t respond well to insulin’s signal. The connection between the hormone insulin and its receptor isn’t working properly.
To compensate, your pancreas produces more and more insulin, to try and get the signal through. This is why both fasting insulin and fasting blood sugar tend to be elevated in people with prediabetes or diabetes.
The mind-body connection and the role of stress
You've heard the saying: “stress contributes to 99% of chronic diseases.” In the case of prediabetes, this is especially true. When you're under stress, your brain releases hormones like cortisol and epinephrine (adrenaline) to mobilize resources so you can face the stressor. This reaction changes blood flow, breathing, muscle tension, and blood glucose, among other physiological shifts. The rise in glucose is meant to fuel your body to fight, run, or reach safety.
The problem is that most of our modern “dangers” are psychological, social, or emotional. We mobilize all of this energy while sitting at a computer, firing off a reply to an angry email. Instead of burning through the glucose for physical defense, it goes unused and eventually gets stored in adipose tissue (fat cells) for later.
Much of our stress response is completely unconscious. You might react to that email with held breath, tense shoulders, and a blood sugar spike—without even realizing it. Over time, this “invisible” stress takes a very real toll on the body, including metabolic health.
There are many ways to address chronic stress—regular movement, meditation, vagus nerve stimulation, connection, adding joy and play to your days…the list goes on. The key is finding what works for you and sticking with it. Make it part of your regular routine. Caring for your nervous system is an essential step in healing prediabetes. When your system is more balanced and regulated, you naturally access anti-inflammatory pathways and healthier immune responses.
How to reverse prediabetes through foundations of health and Naturopathic medicine
Reversing prediabetes doesn’t require extreme diets or punishing exercise routines. It starts with foundational shifts that you can maintain consistently and in the long run:
Post-meal walks: Just 10–15 minutes after meals helps your muscles soak up glucose, lowering A1c over time.
Whole-foods, plant-forward diet: Rich in vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Identifying food intolerances: Reducing hidden inflammation supports your hormone signaling and blood sugar control.
Prioritizing fiber: Slows digestion, prevents blood sugar spikes, and keeps insulin signaling strong.
Reducing saturated fats (especially from animal foods): Improves insulin sensitivity.
Supporting detoxification: Gentle “depuration” practices like sweating, hydration, and high-fiber nutrition help reduce your body’s toxic burden, which otherwise worsens insulin resistance.
Working directly with a Naturopathic doctor, you can individualize your nutrition, lifestyle changes, and supplementation to fit your blood work and preferences. These might include antioxidants, liver support, or homeopathic remedies.
Some patients end up incorporating medications, while others are able to manage and reverse their condition using behavioral change alone. There are many paths to healing, and yours might not look exactly like your neighbor’s. Avoid comparing yourself and your treatment path to someone you know; your needs may be very different!
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Yes! With nutrition and lifestyle changes, most people can return blood sugar to normal levels.
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Prediabetes is often silent. Fatigue, increased thirst, hunger, and urination usually appear only when diabetes develops.
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The diagnosis may feel sudden, but likely it’s been developing slowly over many years and is influenced by diet, lifestyle, stress, and toxic exposure.
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Stress alone rarely causes prediabetes, but in some individuals it strongly contributes by raising blood sugar and hormones over time.
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Conventional medicine often uses metformin along with diet and exercise guidelines. A naturopathic doctor may add stress support, detoxification, individualized nutrition, and natural supplements.
Healing prediabetes takes time, but with a plan and some dedication, you are 100% capable of healing
Prediabetes doesn’t develop overnight, and it won’t heal overnight either. There is no “magic pill” or potion. Healing takes time, consistency, and commitment to yourself.
Instead of aiming for an all-or-nothing overhaul, try small, sustainable changes:
One walk after lunch on work days
One extra serving of vegetables each day at the start of your dinner
A daily stress management practice
Over time, these habits add up to long-term health and diabetes prevention.
Reach out today to get the support you need
If you’re worried about developing diabetes or want to take a proactive approach, I’d love to help. As a Naturopathic doctor in Kirkland, I work with patients to reverse prediabetes naturally through nutrition, lifestyle, and holistic support.
Click the “Start Here” button to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward healing.
Naturopathic doctor servicing Kirkland, Redmond, Bothell, Bellevue, Kenmore, Woodinville, Cottage Lake, and surrounding areas