Diabetes Type 1, Type 2 & Gestational: How Naturopathy can support you naturally and holistically

by Katrina Froome November 26, 2025

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and World Diabetes Day fell on the 14th of November. It’s a wonderful time to pause, bring awareness to this important condition, and look at how we can better support our bodies — whether you’re living with diabetes or working to prevent it.

In clinic, I often see women who are feeling tired, foggy, craving sugar, or noticing shifts in weight and energy. These can be early signs that your blood sugar balance and metabolic health need attention. Understanding how diabetes develops, and how naturopathy can gently support you alongside medical care, can be a powerful step towards lasting health.

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s essential to continue working closely with your GP, endocrinologist, and diabetes educator. Never stop or change medications (including insulin) without their guidance. If you’re pregnant, always check with your obstetric team before taking any new supplements or herbs.

My role is to support you alongside your medical plan — helping your body feel calmer, your energy steadier, and your health more balanced day to day.

What leads up to diabetes?

Insulin Resistance (IR)

Think of insulin as a little “key” that unlocks your cells so glucose can move from your blood into your tissues and be used for energy. When that key doesn’t work as smoothly, your body needs to make more insulin to get the job done. Over time, this can lead to higher blood sugars and may eventually develop into Type 2 diabetes if it’s not addressed.

How to support your body

Focus on simple, sustainable changes — regular whole-food meals, daily movement (even gentle walks after meals), strength training a few times a week, prioritising good-quality sleep, and supporting your nervous system with calm and rest. Small, steady habits make a big difference.

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a collection of risk factors that often travel together: weight carried around the middle, higher blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, lower HDL (your “good” cholesterol), and higher fasting glucose.

If three or more are present, we call it metabolic syndrome. It increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease — but every single piece can be supported and improved with consistent lifestyle and naturopathic care.

The three main types of diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin for the body to function effectively. It can occur at any age, though it’s most often diagnosed in childhood or adolescence.

Because insulin is essential for life, medical management is always the foundation of care. From a naturopathic perspective, we focus on helping you feel steady and supported day to day — balancing blood-sugar levels with nourishing meals, supporting digestion, promoting restorative sleep, and easing stress on the nervous system so you can move through life with greater energy and stability.

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)

This type develops gradually and is driven by insulin resistance and a decline in insulin production over time. It’s often linked with stress, poor sleep, nutrient imbalances, poor dietary choices and inflammation.

Here we focus on sustainable, long-term changes — nourishing foods, enjoyable movement, deeper rest, and emotional balance. These gentle shifts can significantly improve your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar and reduce risk factors.

Gestational Diabetes (GDM)

Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar first recognised during pregnancy (usually between 24–28 weeks). It typically settles after birth, but it can increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later on.

During pregnancy, we focus on safe, balanced nutrition, gentle movement, and keeping both you and baby healthy and well-nourished. Postpartum, we support your body’s recovery and energy as you transition into motherhood.

The deeper connections: Diabetes, Gut Health, and Hormones

Diabetes doesn’t exist in isolation — it’s often connected with a range of other health concerns I see in clinic, such as:

Digestive imbalances – bloating, SIBO, reflux, sluggish bowels, or IBS-type symptoms
Hormonal changes – perimenopause, PCOS, thyroid changes, or adrenal fatigue
Skin issues – acne, eczema, or slow wound healing
Cardiovascular signs – high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, or circulation issues
Mood and fatigue – anxiety, brain fog, and feeling flat or “wired and tired”

When your blood sugar is unstable, it affects your gut microbiome, your nervous system, and your hormones. It’s all interconnected.

The link between diabetes, SIBO, and perimenopause

During perimenopause, fluctuating oestrogen and progesterone can make blood sugars more unpredictable. Many women find their cravings, sleep, and mood shift dramatically — especially when stress and digestive issues are in the mix.

At the same time, women with SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) often experience poor nutrient absorption, bloating, and irregular digestion, which can worsen insulin resistance and inflammation.

When we support your gut health and hormonal balance, your blood sugar often follows — energy improves, bloating settles, sleep deepens, and your mood becomes steadier. It’s a whole-body reset.

The role of technology and tracking

We’re lucky to live in a time where technology can make managing and understanding blood sugar so much easier. Devices like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) or traditional glucose meters give you real-time feedback on how your body responds to different meals, sleep patterns, and levels of stress.

If you’re using one of these devices, bring your readings to your appointments with me or your specialist. Together, we can look at patterns — not just single numbers — and see what foods, habits, or lifestyle factors help keep you feeling more balanced.

For many women, this information becomes empowering. Instead of guessing, you can start to see clear connections between what you eat, how you feel, and how your blood sugar behaves. It helps us fine-tune your plan so it feels personal, supportive, and sustainable.

How naturopathy can support you

1. Nourishing food that feels balanced and enjoyable

Build your meals with plenty of colourful vegetables, a palm of protein, a fist of wholegrain or starchy veg, and a drizzle of healthy fat (like olive oil, avocado, or nuts).
Pair carbohydrates with protein and fibre to slow the blood-sugar rise — for example: oats with yoghurt and nuts, sourdough with eggs and avocado, or rice with salmon and greens.
Aim for rhythm over perfection — regular, balanced meals help stabilise energy, mood, and cravings.

2. Movement that fits into real life

Gentle, consistent movement makes a huge difference. Try short walks after meals, yoga or Pilates for balance, or light resistance exercises a few times a week.
For Type 1 diabetes, we plan movement around insulin and food. For gestational diabetes, we keep things pregnancy-safe and nurturing.

3. Stress and sleep — the quiet drivers

Your stress hormones and blood sugar are deeply connected. When stress or lack of sleep becomes chronic, blood sugars can rise and energy crashes follow.
We’ll create a bedtime ritual, focus on winding down before bed, and explore relaxation tools like deep breathing, meditation, EMK balancing, or time in nature to calm your nervous system.

4. Gut Health, the Microbiome, and Mineral Support

Your gut health plays a vital role in nearly every system of the body — from blood-sugar balance and hormone regulation to mood, immunity, and energy production. When your gut microbes (your microbiome) are in harmony, they help regulate inflammation, support digestion, and even influence how your body uses glucose and insulin.

But when there’s dysbiosis — an imbalance between helpful and harmful bacteria — it can affect your metabolism, immune system, and mood. In many women I see, this can show up as:

Bloating or digestive discomfort after meals
Irregular bowel habits (constipation or loose stools)
Sugar cravings or fatigue after eating
Skin issues such as acne, eczema, or rashes
Hormonal symptoms that worsen around the cycle or during perimenopause

Microbiome and SIBO Testing

For clients with ongoing digestive symptoms, I often recommend microbiome or SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) testing.

These tests help us see what’s happening inside the gut ecosystem — so we can treat the cause, not just the symptoms.

Through comprehensive microbiome analysis, we can assess:

Levels of beneficial bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (key for energy, gut healing, and glucose balance)
Overgrowth of harmful bacteria or yeasts driving bloating, inflammation, or fatigue
Low bacterial diversity, linked with insulin resistance and metabolic issues
Markers of gut inflammation or permeability (“leaky gut”)
Digestive enzyme function and fibre breakdown capacity

In SIBO testing, we look for hydrogen, methane, or hydrogen-sulfide gas overproduction, which indicate bacteria growing too high in the small intestine — often behind stubborn bloating, reflux, or sugar cravings.

When we identify your specific imbalances, we can use targeted nutrition, herbal medicine, and lifestyle strategies to restore balance — improving digestion, calming inflammation, and supporting better blood-sugar control.

Mineral Support (HTMA Testing)

Your gut and mineral balance are deeply connected. Poor digestion, stress, or bacterial overgrowth can affect how well you absorb essential minerals like magnesium, zinc, chromium, and selenium — all vital for blood-sugar regulation and energy.

I use HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) to explore these long-term mineral patterns, giving us a clearer picture of how stress, diet, and environment are affecting your body — and helping us create a truly personalised plan.

5. Supplements — kept simple, safe, and personalised

Nutrients such as magnesium, omega-3s, or vitamin D can support metabolic health when used appropriately. I like to prescribe supplements as per your testing results so that we get the best results for you in the shortest period of time, making sure it fits safely alongside your medications and life stage.

Support tailored to your type

If you have Type 1 Diabetes

Insulin will always be essential, but naturopathic care can help you manage the daily rhythm — predictable meals, balanced macros, gut health, and stress resilience.

If you have Type 2 Diabetes

Together we’ll work on improving insulin sensitivity, supporting your cardiovascular and hormonal health, and finding your unique version of a balanced lifestyle that feels sustainable.

If you have Gestational Diabetes

You’re nourishing two bodies at once, so food and rest are key. We’ll focus on simple, balanced meals, emotional support, and postnatal recovery so you feel strong and cared for beyond pregnancy.

When to seek medical care

If you ever experience nausea, vomiting, confusion, deep breathing, or fruity-smelling breath (possible DKA in Type 1), seek immediate medical help.

For any type of diabetes, if your readings are persistently high or low or you feel unwell, contact your medical team straight away.

Bringing it all together

Whether you’re living with diabetes, have been told you are insulin-resistant, or simply want to improve your metabolic health, small, consistent changes truly matter. With the right support, your body can feel lighter, steadier, and more balanced again.

If you’re ready for a gentle, realistic plan that works alongside your medical care — one that supports your hormones, digestion, and nervous system too — I’d love to help.

✨ Book a consultation and let’s create your path back to balance and energy.

Yours in health and wellness,

Katrina xx