Naturopathic Medicine in Mesa AZ

by Tara Peyman, ND

Zyprexa (olanzapine) is a medication often used to treat bipolar disorder, and can also be used for schizophrenia and acute manic episodes. This medication may be helpful to reduce severe symptoms, but it may not be necessary for everyone. Many people who are taking Zyprexa, or similar medications such as Abilify or Seroquel, may be able to taper off of this medication under the supervision of a naturopathic physician with an expertise in psychiatric conditions.

People taking Zyprexa run the risk of developing potential problems because of this drug, including high blood sugar which can progress to diabetes, high cholesterol, and increased risk of death from stroke. There are multiple side effects from Zyprexa which can be troubling for some patients, such as weight gain, difficulty concentrating, and increased fatigue.

Zyprexa increases GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) activity and decreases the activity of some types of serotonin and dopamine. For people with depression, but not mania, this can cause a feeling of dulled emotions and even lower motivation. Most people with depression already have weight gain and fatigue, and don't need to increase those symptoms with a drug like Zyprexa.

You may feel like you need a drug to control your symptoms. However, I have used individually prescribed homeopathic medicines to completely control the symptoms of severe depression, bipolar disorder, and debilitating anxiety disorders. Homeopathic medicine works with your body to balance your neurotransmitters and improve your mood. Homeopathy can also safely treat physical symptoms, whether these symptoms are related to your mood disorder or another health condition. Many patients also benefit from specific nutritional or botanical medicine protocols to improve health.

The first step in successful treatment of any health concern is a proper medical diagnosis. Many people may have been told that they have bipolar disorder, depression, or another illness, but there is in fact an underlying chemical or hormonal imbalance causing their symptoms. It is vital to have a complete workup, and appropriate laboratory testing to rule out potential physical causes of your symptoms. With an accurate diagnosis, natural treatments can begin.

Homeopathic medicine can be used in conjunction with medications, or to help you taper off of medications safely over time. This will help to control symptoms and help you to return to a truly natural state of emotional and physical health.

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Tara Peyman is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in the state of Arizona. Her expertise is in treating bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety with natural medicine. She has also developed comprehensive, naturopathic programs for weight loss, diabetes, and smoking cessation. She practices at East Valley Naturopathic Doctors in Mesa (480.985.0000) and in Tempe (480.456.0402). Visit her website for more information.

 

 

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Bosch B et al. Human chorionic gonadotropin and weight loss. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. South African Medical Journal 77:185–189, 1990.
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Lijesen GK et al. The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the treatment of obesity by means of the Simeons therapy: a criteria-based meta-analysis. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 49:237–243, 1995.
Miller R, Schneiderman LJ. A clinical study of the use of human chorionic gonadotropin in weight reduction. Journal of Family Practice 4:445–448, 1977.
Simeons A.T.W. The action of chorionic gonadotropin in the obese. Lancet 2:946-947, 1954.
Stein M.R. et al. Ineffectiveness of human chorionic gonadotropin in weight reduction: a  double-blind study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 29:940–948, 1976.
Trudeau K. The Weight Loss Cure They Don't Want You to Know About. Alliance Publishing, 2007.
Young R.L. et al. Chorionic gonadotropin in weight control. A double-blind crossover study. JAMA 236:2495–2497, 1976.

Following these 10 strategies may help to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Depending on the extent of a person's dementia, some treatments may even reverse damage and improve memory and cognition.

Always consult a naturopathic doctor or qualified clinician before beginning any nutritional supplement, especially if you are taking medications or have a medical condition.

1. Consume a diet rich in antioxidants with plenty of whole fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
2. Exercise your body and your mind. Keep your mind active with puzzles, games, and enjoyable conversation. Challenge your brain by breaking mental routines; try brushing your teeth with the opposite hand, or open doors using the other hand. These tasks can increase brain activity and may improve cognition. Increasing your circulation by biking, swimming, walking, or other physical activity can help to improve blood flow to your brain. This can be beneficial for your memory and cognition.
   
3. Regularly consume of cold-water fish to increase essential fatty acid (EFA) levels. EFAs are fatty acids (also known as Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids) which are essential to life, but which cannot be produced in the body and must be taken in through diet.
4. Phosphatidylserine (PS). Decreased phosphatidylserine in the brain has been associated with poor memory and depression in the elderly. Taking PS capsules can help to improve memory, learning, concentration, and can assist in improving mood relaxation.
5. Take extra magnesium and focus on magnesium-rich foods. Increase the consumption of leafy green vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, which are excellent sources of magnesium.
6. Supplement with vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 deficiency is significantly common in Alzheimer’s disease patients. Supplementation of B12 and folic acid in people at the very early stages of dementia (with less than 6 months of symptoms) may result in complete reversal in some patients.
7. Supplement with zinc. Zinc deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the elderly and has been suggested to be a major factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
8. Taking Acetyl-L-Carnitine can improve cognitive performance.
9. Supplementation with inositol may help to reduce dementia symptoms.
10. Thiamine has been shown to increase the effects of acetylcholine in the brain. High dose thiamine supplementation can benefit mental function in people with dementia.

Tara Peyman is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in the state of Arizona. Her expertise is treating depression and anxiety with natural medicine. She has also developed comprehensive, naturopathic programs for weight loss, diabetes and smoking cessation. She practices at East Valley Naturopathic Doctors in Mesa (480.985.0000) and in Tempe (480.456.0402). Visit her website for more information.

ANXIETY
Anxiety (also known as generalized anxiety disorder) is excessive nervousness or worry that interrupts daily activities, without reasonable cause for nervousness. Anxious feelings occur along with physical symptoms that are similar to those of depression, such as difficulty concentrating, restlessness or fatigue, and insomnia. The diagnosis of anxiety requires at least 6 months of these symptoms. People with anxiety can also experience feelings of depression, often alternating with anxiousness. Anxiety can also occur by itself, without ever having any feelings of depression.

PANIC DISORDER
Some people with anxiety also have panic attacks, which are sudden episodes of intense fear without reasonable cause. The fear associated with panic attacks is usually accompanied by shortness of breath, a racing heart beat, nausea, dizziness, or a headache. Some people also experience a sudden feeling of heat or coldness, tingling of the hands or feet, or chest pain.

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)
Post traumatic stress disorder is another type of anxiety disorder. PTSD occurs after witnessing a life-threatening experience. This condition is prevalent among veterans, and is also common in victims of violent crimes, abuse, accidents, natural disasters, and other psychologically traumatic events.

Symptoms of PTSD may occur immediately after the event, or several months later. It is expected to be in shock for a few hours to a few days after any highly stressful experience. However, if the symptoms interfere with your daily life to a significant degree, or if the symptoms persist for more than 4 weeks, professional treatment may be necessary.

People with PTSD often have difficulty sleeping, may feel more “on edge” than normal, and can have flashbacks or disturbing thoughts that interrupt their daily activities. Some people will block out memories of the traumatic event, or become emotionally “numb” in an attempt to avoid the stress caused by the experience. Many people with PTSD will feel depressed or detached from others, and often turn to alcohol or substance abuse to medicate their depression or anxiety.

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)
OCD is an anxiety disorder in which the person experiences obsessive, frequent, intrusive thoughts or impulses that cause significant anxiety. Common obsessions involve fear of infectious disease, anxiety about things being done in a specific order, or things being positioned in a specific place. These thoughts or impulses are not simply worries or obsessions about real life problems. The person recognizes that these thoughts and behaviors are excessive and inappropriate, but cannot sufficiently control them.

In order to reduce the anxiety caused by these thoughts or impulses, the person must compulsively perform specific mental or physical tasks, such as repeated hand washing, counting to a specific number or pattern of numbers, or repeating words silently. The diagnosis of OCD requires that these obsessions and compulsions cause significant impairment in the person's work or relationships.

Somewhat more common is obsessive compulsive personality disorder, in which the person has a rigid personality and requires that things be performed in a specific way, but this does not cause major impairment for the person. It is noticeable to others, and certain obsessive behaviors may appear somewhat excessive. In OCD personality disorder, the person may need to check and recheck whether the doors are locked or whether the oven was left on, but there are not necessarily distinct, intrusive, obsessive thoughts and compulsions that create significant anxiety.

Anemia is defined as a diminished number of red blood cells, or an inability of the red blood cells to function properly. Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body, and a person who has anemia will often feel easily fatigued, sluggish, and can become emotionally depressed.

Anemia can occur for a variety of reasons. Red blood cells require certain nutrients to form properly, including vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron. If a person becomes deficient in these nutrients, anemia can result. Anemia can occur after blood loss, or during long-term disease. There are certain genetic illnesses that lead to anemia, such as thalassemia or sickle cell anemia.

Anemia can be tested with a basic blood test called a Complete Blood Count (CBC). This test can be run at the same time as thyroid tests or other blood testing to determine causes of your symptoms. With these results, your doctor can determine whether anemia is a causative factor in your symptoms, and treat you with nutrient supplementation if necessary.

We can give you high-dose vitamins and minerals in a capsule form to replenish your nutrient status. For instant results, intravenous (IV) nutrient therapy can be offered as well. IV therapy provides your cells with an immediate supply of the energy-boosting vitamins and minerals you need to enhance your immune system and improve overall health. Intramuscular injections of vitamin B12 can give you an energy boost as well, and help to stabilize your mood. Our Myer’s IV (Vitamin & Mineral IV) provides you with all of the B vitamins you need for energy, and vitamin C for stress reduction and immune health, plus calcium and magnesium for your mind, heart, muscles, and bones.

These injection therapies are performed by a physician. The B12 injection only takes 5-10 seconds, and the nutrient IV typically takes 20-30 minutes. B12 injections and IV nutrient therapy can be performed weekly for 3-5 weeks to boost your energy and improve your mood, and then once per month, or every few months, based on the severity of your symptoms. The more often these treatments are done, the faster you are likely to improve.

I have found that patients who are using homeopathic medicine as a primary part of their treatment will often feel better more rapidly with concurrent vitamin injections or IVs. These nutrients help to give the body and mind a natural boost that seems to help the person respond even better to homeopathic treatment.

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Tara Peyman is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in the state of Arizona. Her expertise is treating depression and anxiety with natural medicine. She has also developed comprehensive, naturopathic programs for weight loss, diabetes and smoking cessation. She practices at East Valley Naturopathic Doctors in Mesa (480.985.0000) and in Tempe (480.456.0402). Visit her website for more information.

If you are taking Prozac or another antidepressant and want to find a natural alternative that is non-addictive and does not have side effects, here are a few tips from an expert in natural medicine for mood disorders.

1. Feed your brain with healthy nutrients.

Your brain needs specific vitamins, minerals, and healthy oils in order to function properly. Nutrients such as vitamin B12, vitamin B5, and other B vitamins are essential for proper cognitive and emotional health. Omega-3 oils are very important when treating depression, and are also helpful for improving memory, heart health, and a wide variety of other concerns.

If you are interested in reducing or eliminating Prozac, or other antidepressants, the first important thing to do is to make sure that you are supplying your body and mind with the key ingredients it needs for healthy functioning. Each person needs a slightly different nutritional regimen, based on your body weight, age, and any other health concerns or risk factors you may have. If you are interested in losing weight as well, or treating other health problems while you get off your psychiatric medications, a naturopathic physician is the perfect resource to help you reach your goals.

2. Address the underlying causes of stress in your life.

We can experience depression or anxiety because of stressors in our lives. Transient feelings of sadness or frustration are normal as we go through a stressful event, however, if the sadness or anxiety persists, something needs to be addressed. Sometimes we need to make a change in our career, relationships, or personal life, in order to reduce stress and truly address the underlying problem. Certain external factors cannot be changed, but we can change the way we respond to these stressors.

Often we can resolve these problems on our own, or with the sound advice of a close friend who is a good listener. However, a psychologist or counselor can be an excellent resource when addressing these issues. Many people will find themselves in similar stressful situations repeatedly, whether that is in relationships or in other aspects of their lives. The reason for this is that we often get stuck in the same patterns of thinking, which leads us down the same paths into the same problems. With professional counseling, these psychological patterns can be transformed, which can allow for improved emotional health and a lower level of stress overall.

3. Rebalance your neurotransmitters and restore your health with homeopathic medicine.

Homeopathic medicine is a natural method of treating a wide variety of health concerns, from depression to a common cold to autoimmune disease. Homeopathy works with your body to stimulate an innate healing response, rather than suppressing your symptoms as other medications often do. For people with depression, homeopathic medicine has the ability to rebalance your brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) such as serotonin and dopamine, which may be out of balance. Prozac does not actually restore balance to your brain chemistry; it basically tricks your brain into thinking that there is enough serotonin, when in fact your levels may be low. Homeopathy can bring your levels up by stimulating your body to make more, naturally.

Homeopathic medicine is made from naturally occurring substances such as plants or minerals, and these natural products are made into small sublingual pills. There are hundreds of homeopathic remedies that can be used to treat depression, and each remedy can be used to treat a specific set of symptoms. Because every person is a little different in terms of what their depression symptoms are, a different homeopathic remedy may be used for each patient when treating depression. When treating long-term conditions such as depression, it is essential to work with a practitioner of homeopathic medicine who has been trained in classical homeopathy and is licensed and educated to understand your full health history. A naturopathic doctor can listen to your case and determine the precise homeopathic medicine that you need for your depression or anxiety, in addition to any other health concerns you may have.

A nice benefit of homeopathic medicine is that it does not interact with medications or cause any side effects. It is also safe for use in children, and safe during pregnancy and lactation. Thus, it is an excellent alternative to antidepressants in pediatric cases, especially with the increased risk for suicide in this population with conventional antidepressant use. Homeopathic medicine can safely be used for women with post-partum depression. It is also a perfect way to ease the gradual transition off of Prozac or other antidepressants, because it can provide symptom relief while reducing withdrawal symptoms. Homeopathy can provide a natural and lasting solution for people with depression, and is a safe and affordable alternative to prescription drugs.

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Tara Peyman is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in the state of Arizona. Her expertise is treating depression and anxiety with natural medicine. She has also developed comprehensive, naturopathic programs for weight loss, diabetes and smoking cessation. She practices at East Valley Naturopathic Doctors in Mesa (480.985.0000) and in Tempe (480.456.0402). Visit her website for more information.

A variety of problems can cause symptoms of bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety. Causes include hormonal irregularities, physical or emotional stress, neurotransmitter imbalances, and vitamin deficiencies. As a naturopathic doctor, I am committed to finding the underlying cause of your symptoms. With specialty testing or even simple labs, we can uncover the causes of your mood disorder. Based on this testing, we can create a plan that is individualized to each patient.

There are many options for treating these conditions, from conventional medications, such as Effexor, Cymbalta, or Abilify, to natural treatments such as homeopathic medicine and herbal supplements. Natural medicine can be as effective if not more so for treating depression, bipolar, and anxiety. Most of my patients are interested in reducing or avoiding conventional medications, and I have helped many patients in finding natural alternatives for improving their mental and emotional health. We can explain all of these options to you and make sure your questions are answered, including how natural treatments might affect current medications.

Naturopathic doctors in Arizona have prescription rights, meaning that your naturopathic doctor can write you a prescription for an antidepressant if he or she feels it is necessary. This also means that if you are currently on a prescription medication for depression or anxiety, and you want to taper down to a lower dose before going off the medication, we can write you a prescription for the lower dose, while transitioning you to natural therapies. Some medications, such as certain antipsychotic drugs, may only be prescribed by psychiatrists, so we may have to work with your psychiatrist to taper these medications down. Some of these medications can be split as well, which may allow for an easy taper without a new prescription.

When a patient with bipolar disorder comes to our office, I will usually begin my natural treatment program with a homeopathic prescription that helps to balance one’s mood and improve health naturally. This homeopathic medicine will not interact with any current medications, so it is ideal for patients who want to taper off medications gradually, while beginning a natural protocol. Homeopathy is also safe during pregnancy and lactation, and for children. Thus, it is a perfect choice for women with post-partum depression, or pediatric populations who are at higher risk of negative reactions to antidepressants.

For new patients, I often offer an acupuncture session as well, which can help to reduce muscle tension and stress, and improve energy and relaxation. After a few weeks, we will assess the patient’s response to the initial prescription, and then possibly begin a gradual taper of medications, if desired. At any point during the treatment, we can make changes as necessary, and add supportive nutritional or botanical therapies to improve mood, reduce withdrawal reactions, and assist in a healthy recovery.

When it comes to treating bipolar, depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders, the best course of action is to address the underlying cause. You may just want to take a pill that covers up your symptoms. But if you prefer to get to the root of the problem and treat it naturally, there are many options that are safe, effective, and affordable.

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Tara Peyman is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in the state of Arizona. She has an expertise in treating depression and anxiety with natural medicine. Dr. Peyman has also developed comprehensive, naturopathic programs for weight loss, diabetes and smoking cessation. She practices at East Valley Naturopathic Doctors in Mesa (480.985.0000) and in Tempe (480.456.0402). Visit www.DrTaraPeyman.com for more information.

When it comes to treating depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders, the best course of action is to address the underlying cause. You may just want to take a pill that covers up your symptoms. But if you prefer to get to the root of the problem and treat it naturally, there are many options that are safe, effective, and affordable.

Botanical (herbal) medicine is ideal for anyone who wants a natural alternative to taking medications with harmful or unwanted side effects. There are a wide variety of medicinal plants, and we can prescribe these herbs to you as either capsules, liquid extracts, or teas.

It is important to check with a naturopathic physician before beginning any new botanical prescription, because some herbs have strong medicinal properties, and may interact with other medications. There are also several different options regarding the strength and frequency of dosing medicinal herbs. By talking with a doctor who specializes in natural medicine and knows about not only how to prescribe botanical medicine, but also how to determine drug-herb interactions, you will be sure to get the best and safest results.

Botanical medicine can be very effective for treating a variety of conditions, and may be used in combination with other therapies in order to restore health. Certain herbs can decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety, such as:

• St. John’s Wort (Hypericum)
• Passion Flower (Passiflora)
• Lemon Balm (Melissa)
• Kava (Piper methisticum)
• Siberian ginseng (Eleuthrococcus)
• And many other herbs

St. John’s Wort can be helpful for symptoms of depression. This herb works by prolonging the time that serotonin is in the blood, thereby allowing serotonin to work longer. St. John’s Wort also slows down the reuptake of dopamine and GABA from the synaptic cleft. This can result in feelings of happiness, relaxation, and better energy.

Passion Flower, Lemon Balm, and Kava are often helpful for anxiety, because they promote mental tranquility and reduce restlessness. These herbs can also be used to help with insomnia.
Siberian ginseng can help to improve energy, promote better physical endurance, and also can reduce the negative effects of stress. This type of ginseng is energizing, but somewhat less stimulating than some of the other types of ginseng available.

Before you try any of these herbs, check with a naturopathic doctor to determine the ideal dose, or whether one herb or a combination of herbs would be best for your symptoms. Botanical medicine works well in combination with other natural therapies, and many of the best formulas for depression and anxiety contain both vitamins, amino acids, and herbs, for optimal mood support.

Tara Peyman, Naturopathic Physician
Feel Like Yourself Again With Natural Medicine
www.DrTaraPeyman.com


Tara Peyman is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in the state of Arizona. Her expertise is treating depression and anxiety with natural medicine. She has also developed comprehensive, naturopathic programs for weight loss, diabetes and smoking cessation. She practices at East Valley Naturopathic Doctors in Mesa (480.985.0000) and in Tempe (480.456.0402). www.DrTaraPeyman.com.

The thyroid gland is located in the front of your throat, and produces hormones that keep your body energized, warm, and boost your metabolism.

If your thyroid gland cannot produce enough thyroid hormone (a condition called hypothyroidism), you will start to feel fatigued, sluggish, cold, and are likely to gain weight more easily. These symptoms can look like the symptoms of depression, so it is important to have your thyroid function tested to determine whether that is a cause of the mood problems.

If your thyroid gland is over-producing thyroid hormone (a condition called hyperthyroidism), the result is feelings of nervousness, heart palpitations, excessive heat, and other symptoms that can be confused with the symptoms of an anxiety disorder. By testing your thyroid function, these conditions can be ruled out.

Because a thyroid imbalance can cause significant depression or anxiety, it is essential to rule out these conditions as an underlying cause of your symptoms. Your doctor can test your thyroid function with a simple blood test, and treat the imbalance with either synthetic or natural medicine.

Sometimes people have anxiety or depression for other reasons, and in addition, also have an underlying thyroid problem. If you are being treated for a thyroid imbalance and are still having symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, depression, or anxiety, talk to a doctor about other treatments or testing.

Thyroid support treatments can come in the form of prescription hormones, or natural thyroid support supplements. The treatment choices will depend on the severity of your thyroid imbalance, and the intensity of your symptoms. For people with mild thyroid hormone imbalances, natural supplements may be enough to get the thyroid gland functioning properly, and restore energy and a healthy metabolism.
 
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Tara Peyman is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in the state of Arizona, with an expertise in natural treatments for depression and anxiety. She has also developed comprehensive, naturopathic programs for weight loss, diabetes, and smoking cessation. She practices in Mesa (480.985.0000) and also in Tempe (480.456.0402). She offers free 15 minute consults over the phone or in the office. For more information, visit www.DrTaraPeyman.com.

Diabetes is on the rise in the United States. In June 2008, the total number of Americans living with diabetes increased to nearly 24 million. This is a jump of more than 3 million people in two years, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

In addition to the number of people diagnosed with diabetes, there are approximately 57 million people in the United States with pre-diabetes. This condition causes an increased risk for developing diabetes, and often these people do not even know about their risk. Pre-diabetes involves difficulty regulating blood sugar, with mild glucose elevations beyond the normal levels, but not at diabetic ranges. For people with pre-diabetes, the hormones that control blood sugar will often be out of balance. Insulin is one of these hormones; it helps to bring glucose out of the blood and into the cells to be used for energy. In people with pre-diabetes, insulin often has difficulty bringing blood sugar into the cells, a condition called insulin resistance. This will then lead to elevations of blood glucose, which can develop into diabetes.

Warning signs of diabetes include fatigue, increased thirst, increased hunger, tingling or numbness of hands or feet, and blurred vision. People with type I diabetes have insufficient insulin production; this type of diabetes usually begins in childhood, and will typically cause weight loss. Type II diabetics will have weight gain due to increased fat conversion from sugar, and decreased fat breakdown as a result of elevated insulin.

Because of the increase in diabetes prevalence, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has recently released new recommendations for the prevention of diabetes. The ADA now advises that all overweight people over the age of 45 should be screened for diabetes. People with two or more risk factors for diabetes should be tested for this disease, regardless of whether the person has symptoms of diabetes. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that people with high cholesterol and high blood pressure are screened for type 2 diabetes as well.

Diabetes risk factors include obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, a sedentary lifestyle, and a family history of diabetes. Obesity centralized around the abdomen is associated with elevated risk of diabetes. Women who have had gestational diabetes have about a 40% chance of developing diabetes after the pregnancy. There also is a genetic association with diabetes for people of Native American, Hispanic, or African American decent. People also have greater risk as they age, with increased occurrence of diabetes after the age of 60.

A few basic lifestyle changes can significantly impact your diabetes risk. In a study by the National Institutes of Health, 3,234 people with pre-diabetes were given either metformin, or specific dietary and exercise recommendations. The people in the diet and exercise group lost an average of 15 pounds, and reduced their risk of diabetes by 58%. The metformin group had a reduced risk of 31%. So a specific diet and exercise protocol alone can reduce your risk by almost twice as much as medications!

You can reduce your risk of diabetes by following these guidelines: 

• Limit dietary consumption of refined sugar, white flour, pasta, and processed foods. 
• Exercise regularly, optimally for at least 30 minutes per day. 
• Eat a high fiber breakfast with at least 20 grams of protein, to boost your metabolism and stabilize your blood sugar throughout the day (example: a hard boiled egg, and a protein shake with ground flax seed). 
• Include 30-40 grams of fiber in your daily diet, preferably from leafy green vegetables and whole grains; supplement with flax seed, oat bran, or acacia fiber. 
• Get a diabetes screen from your doctor including cholesterol testing and a blood pressure check; if you are overweight but have not had high blood sugar on previous tests, ask for a pre-diabetes screen of insulin resistance and glucose tolerance.

If these recommendations for reducing your risk of diabetes seem overwhelming, start with one change at a time and commit to that change until it becomes a normal part of your lifestyle. Work with your doctor to determine the most effective way to reduce your risk and improve your overall health. Your doctor can be an advocate and a coach in helping you to achieve your health goals.

References:
ADA Updates Diabetes Care Standards: Recommendations Reflect 'Aggressive Approach,' Says FP Expert. Bittner, Barbara. AAFP News Now. 12 Feb 2008.
Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes? Taking Steps to Lower Your Risk of Getting Diabetes. NIH Publication No. 07–4805. Dec 2006.
Number of People with Diabetes Increases to 24 Million. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services. 24 June 2008.