How to Live with Diabetes with Cheryl Ivanisky on The Healers Café with Dr Manon Bolliger ND

many people don’t know that they have it until one day that with type two diabetes, what we are able to do is you’re right, we’re absolutely able to reverse it, but we can even prevent it in the first place. So, with lifestyle, and it’s more than what we eat, and it’s more about, it’s more than just the movements. It’s really about our mindset and our sleep and how we’re fueling our body with the essential minerals and vitamins that we need. They’re not always still available in our foods based on our Earth these days with all the pesticides and herbicides and lack of minerals in the earth. Now take type two diabetes it is like I said it’s a challenge within the body but one That can be adapted to, and when that can be, yes reversed. And that’s a lifelong commitment to lifestyle. That type one diabetes isn’t immune system challenge, it’s actually where the pancreas stops producing insulin or has such trace amounts, that without it, people will die. And so, the only way to get insulin is through the skin and through injecting it, there are some inhalers, there are some patches, there’s some other technologies that have been worked with. But basically, we need to be able to deliver insulin to ourselves. Because without it, we would not survive. However, I don’t want people to mistake taking insulin to stay alive, and then living a healthy lifestyle to prevent the complications. So, so I don’t want people to think it’s not a cure, it keeps you alive. And then there’s your lifestyle that you can choose and make informed choices about that will either allow you to live a long prosperous complication free future or not.

 

Dr. Manon  06:08

Yeah, I think that’s such a good point to raise. It’s like, because there is this doom and gloom, I have type one, well, there’s nothing I can do. I’m on insulin, I’m already doing everything. And it’s like not true. There’s, it’s like, part of the absolutely necessary components. And like you say, everything else is your choice, and how you know, the lifestyle, you add the nutrients, what you give your body and getting really informed on what are the foods and the nutrients that you need? And what are we deficient on. And, you know, in different areas have different deficiencies depending on where you’re getting your foods. So, absolutely

 

Cheryl Ivanisky  06:53

And then the other part of that, too, is for people with type one, and when we’re taking insulin, so many specialists and so many doctors will have something in mind for people and keep adding medications to try to combat high sugars when in fact, high blood sugars are a result of an underlying cause. Right? People with type one like myself, we are able to reduce our insulin requirements by 50 to 70%, which I’ve been able to do. And we can really have optimization and efficiency of our insulin, which is a whole other conversation. But I want people to know that we’re able to do that. So we can be empowered by that. That just empowered, we don’t want to add more insulin to get efficiency, we can actually reduce it and get more efficiency. Right?

 

Dr. Manon  07:49

Yeah, that’s a very good point. And now that we’re in a time period, where there’s….. we’re told with comorbidities, that people are more at risk of whether it’s this virus, the basic flu, anything, it doesn’t matter? Or is, you know,” you have to be more careful.” Can you explain the link between what or why it is that people who have diabetes, need to really pay attention to what you’re saying and to what they can do? And there’s, you know, many options outside of just feeling like a victim and then feeling like scared and feeling like, well, let’s just take whatever is on offer, like to get more informed of their real choices, that sustains their well-being in their health.

 

Cheryl Ivanisky  08:49

Well, I think that tradition, has us locked into a very narrow way of thinking. And the reason I say that is because I’ve been through that myself. My family’s been through that, and 1000s of students that I’ve taught over the years and and clients and private practice. So when we come from, don’t do this, don’t do that. There’s a lack of a restriction mentality, when in fact, I prefer that we look at learning what our triggers are. And I prefer that we look at things that we can do that provide us an abundance of choices. And when we look at it from that perspective, it makes life so much easier. Now, when it comes to making choices, we have to also understand that we need to look at information and and expanding our awareness. So anything that we can do to read about what natural solutions can do for us, and how they can make an impact. So for instance, when I’m working with people with type two diabetes, and I’m able to walk them through our, you know, 12 week program and they’re able to normalize their a ones And they’re able to say, Oh my gosh, I went from a 10.3 to a 5.8. That’s amazing, because then they have the natural skill set. And they’re learning the step-by-step approach to normalizing their blood sugar levels, reducing their medications, and even in many cases, eliminating them and replacing them with those wise choices. And as I said, earlier, people attend tonight or type one diabetes are able to reduce their insulin to require and and look at things that they can do our immune systems in general, and I think this is where you were going with your question. our immune system, in general, when blood sugar levels are challenged, there’s always an underlying chronic stress, an internal inflammation in the body. And it’s consistent. And it’s subtle, but it’s always there. So if our blood sugar levels are even slightly elevated, over time, that starts to wear on our internal organs, our internal tissues and cells everywhere in the body, whether it’s our nerves to do with circulation in neuropathy, or whether it’s back of our eyes, matter where it is, so that maternal inflammation is going to challenge our immune system and keep us from healing at our best ability. So I think that’s where you’re going with your questions. What are some things we can do to boost our immune system? Is that what you were asking?

 

Dr. Manon  11:28

Yeah, exactly. Because the, you know, one of the big fears is that, and that the way it’s positioned, really is that if you have any of these conditions that compromise your immune system, well, you know, you’re done. Okay.

 

11:47

And it’s like, well,

 

Dr. Manon  11:48

I don’t know, you know, is that true? And I guess I’m questioning that, because I know that there’s people listening, who feel like they better rush and do, you know, whatever, without looking into, like, for example, with this. It’s new on the market, there’s different companies that are doing and I actually can’t even say the word. So we’re not going to talk about the genetic agent out there. Right, like, you know, people need to find out is, is that going to make it definitely safer? Or is it? Are they better off working with their immune system? And if so, how to right. So I guess that’s what I just feel like, the those people are more targeted in? And so if you could speak a little bit too to that?

 

Cheryl Ivanisky  12:43

Yes. For those of us, including myself, family members, because every generation in my family has afforded diabetes. And so what I’m what I’m looking at our immune systems, and in particular, and immune systems have other challenges. I don’t know I don’t really discriminate, whether it is arthritis, whether it’s a joint condition, whether it’s doesn’t really matter what the challenge is, if it’s a hard tissue, soft tissue internal. So, when we’re looking at, and we’ll say people have diabetes, with a compromised immune system already, with blood sugar levels, and often cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels that are higher than normal, our body’s working overtime to try to normalize them. So that energy is not going to healing is going to try and is trying to get to it doesn’t have that energy to heal, it’s been compromised. So, for those of us when we want to look at our immune systems, and we’re looking at what’s happening in current day, with different strands of viruses, and different things that are happening today, what is their best defense, our best defense is giving our immune systems what they need naturally, because when they get what they need naturally, that’s when they are able to balance their best. We know that, you know, we know that because it shows up in our testing, it shows up in our energy levels, it shows up in our healing, it shows up in our ability to be able to combat and prevent those unwelcome complications. So how do we do that? We do that with natural solutions that are actually specific to each person. what resonates with one person might be different than another but I can share a couple of top ones that those clients benefit from. And

 

Dr. Manon  14:28

Hi, I’m Dr. Manon Bolliger Shea and I wanted to take a moment to thank you for watching these podcasts. If you haven’t subscribed, please do. Also feel free to leave comments and like it. This way more people get to find out about this work and about other choices for health. So I think it’s really important that we all share this information. I have a free gift to you. It’s a seven secret Was email but has tips for every day and a little insight about how to live your life when it comes to health. And it’s very much built on how I managed to overcome stage four cancer and what it took. So I, I would love you to have this. And thank you once again, for listening to these podcasts.

 

Cheryl Ivanisky  15:30

And one of those are choosing foods that the body doesn’t have to work to break down as much. So those would be foods that would have a moderate or lower glycemic index, which means they don’t raise sugar is really high. And they become more aware of foods that do cause high sugars and trigger them. That’s number one. So identifying those. And so the quality of food, and having our body to work hard to break down the pesticides and herbicides that it’s not designed to do, creates more stress on the body. And that’s where the difference between the free radical damage and antioxidants come into place. And for the audience, what I mean by that is, if our bodies are constantly trying or trying to fight, a battle that they can’t win, and if they don’t have enough fuel, and antioxidants, like vitamin A, vitamin C, Vitamin E, antioxidants and natural foods that we have, and then supplements that we can take to combat that, that leaves us even more vulnerable. So looking at natural foods in the best form that we can get them is one of the best defenses, another great defense is being able to oxygenate our body with the best quality of water that we can possibly get. And that means micro clusters of format forms of water that are able to actually see and absorb into our bodies. And those would be highly alkalized forms of water. Another really great benefit, there are the supplementation of specific vitamins and minerals that we can take. And I can provide for you a nice list of some of the top five, I can provide that for the listeners if you’d like. And we can provide a nice free gift to the listeners. So one of those, for instance, would be vitamin D, vitamin D so important for the overall system. And not just that. But did you know that the top percentage of the world around the globe is so deficient in vitamin D.

 

Dr. Manon  17:38

But, you know, I was reading a research that looked at the high def tolls last year in Spain, you know, and they, they conclude the research concluded that they had extremely low vitamin D levels. So it’s interesting, you know, I’m I know, I’m aware of that in the States, there’s hospitals in certain states that have decided to give people vitamin D, and they’ve seen that there’s a big correlation. And when they’ve done the death studies, that the autopsies that their vitamin D levels were low, you know, so that’s, uh, yeah, I mean, the research, it’s hard to get that research, but it’s out there.

 

Cheryl Ivanisky  18:23

So you know, when there comes the whole vitamin D, vitamin K, yes. And there, and then when you look at the countries around the world, even some of our sunniest climates, yeah, all year round, but because people cover their bodies, they’re also deficient, which you wouldn’t think they would be division, vitamin D, but vitamin D is critical. So vitamin D, and K together, actually. Yeah. The audience knows. But then we’re also looking at I don’t think enough can be said for omega three, I don’t think enough can be said about that. Everyone talks about omega three, six, and nine, we get on a six, we need our three. So that’s super important. When we are looking at ways to alkalizer systems, there’s things like apple cider vinegar, there are things that you can put in water to naturally help alkalize them, like the lemon reminds it there, there are other vitamins and minerals that are specific for people with diabetes, some of those includes chromium picolinate psyllium, magnesium is so many so much of the population is deficient as well. So, there are many things to look at. And then like I said, antioxidants is a really big part of that. Now, what people may not know, one of the most amazing ways to to allow your body to receive antioxidants is in an exercise called grounding.

 

Dr. Manon  19:46

And that’s Oh, grounding. Yes. Like actually going barefoot? That’s right. Yeah.

 

Cheryl Ivanisky  19:53

Yeah, example of grinding but I mean, if you look at the floodgates I oxidants into your body We look at grounding. And there are many supporting products that you can buy that help to ground as well. But yes, getting outside being in nature actually taking your running shoes and flip flops that rubber barrier off touching the body to Earth. and spending time in the water with the natural elements. But if we don’t have access to that, like here, you know what our winter weathers is. But there’s other ways that we can do that. And and it’s amazing to open the floodgates of other ways to get those electrons in so that we’re able to reduce the internal stress on the body, because when there’s free radicals, and excesses of them that damage,

 

Dr. Manon  20:46

what have you found to be efficient ways in your experience?

 

Cheryl Ivanisky  20:51

With grounding? Yeah. don’t have access to, to Earth. Yeah. And that’s really that’s really like, Well, I’ll tell you one thing, living food and living water, because it’s huge in the first place. But there are there’s simple things. And they’re relatively inexpensive things that you can do. So, for instance, I remember in meditations as long as 31 years ago with somebody who’s very famous Now, one of the things that I first learned how back then, and I do it now, is when you’re running water, you touch your hands to the metal, and you allow that cool to cold water in your hands. And that is a form of grounding. So that, like so

 

Dr. Manon  21:33

goes through the the faucet and you you hold the faucet,

 

Cheryl Ivanisky  21:37

you have Yes, you have one hand on the faucet, you have one hand underneath where the water is having Yes, yeah. Interesting.

 

Dr. Manon  21:46

Yeah. So I guess it’s logically I never thought of

 

Cheryl Ivanisky  21:51

that. As simple as that. Yeah, that’s very simple. Another form of grounding inside, there are things like grounding mats, I actually have a cushion that I sit on. And I have a foot mat, that that’s actually a grounding mat. So I use those every day. So those are other examples. So those are a couple that can maybe help the audience.

 

Dr. Manon  22:14

Very good. Yeah. So. So in conclusion, basically, if you have, if you do have diabetes, whether it’s type one or type two, your best, best thing to do is actually to support your health and to support your immune system.

 

Cheryl Ivanisky  22:38

It is and I think one thing that is, and it’s something that I overlooked myself as a as a high achiever and a Go go go with a big list. In our busy world, and And right now, I think the world is in a place of reflection. And I think that’s not a bad thing. I think getting back to basics is very important. But I think that that one thing that people can really do is look at the quality of sleep that they’re getting. Because studies also show that being inter having interrupted sleep, having light sleep, having lack of sleep, is a contributing factor to the immune system breaking down and leading to all kinds of things, including diabetes, and that chronic stress has led to a 20% increase in the number of people who have diabetes, amongst other things, but I think if we’re looking at natural, natural things, and things that we have choices about things that we have the most control over, I think having that great quality sleep is one of them.

 

Dr. Manon  23:48

Yeah, I mean, without sleep, your body doesn’t go into repair mode, right? It needs to go into that. And, and like you said, with any kind of stressor or an immune stress, you’re in sympathetic dominance. That’s right, basically, right. So it’s very, it’s hard to, to switch off unless you actually can switch off, right. So

 

Cheryl Ivanisky  24:11

no, you’re right. You’re right. So if you look at having to get up a couple times to go to the washroom, that’s an inch, that’s an intern, you know, that’s a that’s an intrusion in sleep, not getting enough sleep. And you’re looking at what your body fights every day with environmental pollutants out in the world, the products that you use that it has to break down the pesticides, it has to break down the cellular and electronic electrosmog it has to deal with and everything else. I mean, that’s a load, but it was never designed to produce that. So is it any wonder that the body’s under stress

 

Dr. Manon  24:49

right now, so I do have one more question How, how is it for you with your background, your in your knowledge, Your education and your focus, how is it to work with, with either associations that help people with diabetes or doctors that have patients and typically refer them on the the general route? Like is there openness to the idea that we can do more than just rely on insulin and I forget which organizations they use for dieting. But

 

Cheryl Ivanisky  25:35

I think, I think what’s really a fair statement to say is, I think, the approach to collaboration. And I think looking at how we can marry the best of what works is important. Let me explain what I mean. I’m both traditionally licensed and trained, and written many accreditation programs and training doctors across the US and Canada and their beliefs. And I look at taking the best of tradition, and I am grateful for traditional medicine that keeps me alive. And then I’m looking at the whole complementary alternative the natural world, and looking at prevention, because prevention, everything. So when I look at how integrating them works, here’s what I find. I find that by extracting what works best, and, and praising and recognizing what works with best leaves room for what else is possible. So what I mean by that is when I was talking with my specialists, who I go to, if you I’m friends with and I’m speaking with my medical doctors, they’re at a point where they’re calling me. And they’re asking me, oh, my goodness, you know, I’ve got this, this patient for crying, I’m not quite sure what to do. They can’t get in to see me they need help. What? Can you help them? What do you suggest? So it’s not them or us? No, no, it’s becoming much more collaborative. And we also can recognize there are there is a place for, for people who require medication, there is a place for that. Yeah. But what we need to look at is not looking at medication as a solution, but as a stepping stone towards what else is possible sometimes, yeah. Oh, right. Now, what do I think about associations and things like that? It’s like anything, I think, when there’s been a train of thought, and anything, it’s always great to have new information in collaboration, or create new possibilities and opportunities and newest

 

Dr. Manon  27:36

and AI to you know, there’s the role really, to help create new habits. And I know myself, as a naturopathic physician in my clinic, I would say, Well, you know, just go shopping, just do the, the outside rim, don’t don’t buy anything in the middle and don’t buy anything that has die or something else in a simplified version, but it was like, Yeah, that sounds good. And I found that, that often patients need a lot more. I don’t want to call it handholding. But it’s more like guidance and support and all of the things to implement change. I mean, we all know that changing a habit takes also reinforcement and, and it takes time for the body to kind of realize that it feels so much better. And then it’s like, Okay, that makes sense. Why would I, you know, go eat some crazy stuff that puts me behind. So but I think this is really where doctors and us included, we don’t have the time. Oh, you know, to really do that part of the work because we’re always diagnosing and prescribing whether it’s natural or not natural. But I think with so many lifestyle, you know, conditions, we absolutely need this collaborative or collaboration with people who, who are more available on a week to week basis, you know, so

 

Cheryl Ivanisky  29:14

I think you’ve actually just said something really, really important. I don’t think that there has even been a recognition, it’s been a missing piece that we don’t have that support. And we don’t have those programs that we have clients and people enter into. And I’m going to speak on both levels. I’m going to speak for patients and clients who have these conditions. So the end user, like me, someone with diabetes, and some of the wonderful work that you’re doing. And I kind of you’re kind of parallel in those ways, when we’re actually offering wonderful education to help practitioners, both traditional and in the energy in the energy world. So what we’re able to do is help them now have niche markets and let them be a To serve these people that are looking for help those people with diabetes and other challenges, they’re looking for support, they don’t know where to go, because then any, so with our efforts, and we’re looking at filling that gap, it’s like, we can offer some of the best solutions, and people just need to find us. And they need to hear and learn that this is a solution for them, and it can change their life. So that I believe, yes, but there’s been a big missing piece. And I know that with the Academy of holistic diabetes education, that we do offer those programs. And I know that through our Seven Habits of Highly healthy people, we also offer those programs, but I know the great work that that you’ve been doing with clients and with professionals. That’s key, I think, I think we’ve got more to talk about. a whole group of practitioners and people that are asking for this, and they just it just hasn’t been available.

 

Dr. Manon  31:00

Yeah, yeah, no, I think we could we can definitely have another conversation. Yeah, I will. I will definitely put links under our, our talks so that people can download more information, whether they’re the public, or whether it’s like, like you say, the end user or the practitioner that is looking for a way to better support their patients or our clients. So yeah, thanks very much.

 

Dr Manon  31:28

Thank you for joining us. For more information, go to DrManonBolliger.com.