MEDICATION-FREE MANAGEMENT OFTYPE 2 DIABETESMELLITUS: EMPIRICAL AND MODELING-BASED CASE STUDY

Abstract

This study addresses the possibility of medication-freemanagement of type 2 diabetesmellitus (DM). Typical glucose values, in terms of hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test resultsof less than6.0%, could be attained by consuming low carbohydrate meals and participating in physical exercises without pharmaceutical adjuncts. Four to six meals should be consumed in 12 hours, preferably during the days activities between six in the morning and six in the evening. It is important to walk for about one hour after the main meal, although a better practice is to wait two to three hours after the main meal before doing so. Such an approach assures low glucose levels at night. When possible, lifting weights to develop muscles can help regulate sugar levels in the blood and maintain homeostasis. There are empirical findings that HbA1C values could be reduced by 0.5 in 23 days. These findings were supported by simulation results based on Bergmans minimal model ofblood glucose control. The minimal model is modified to address the role of low-carb meals and physical exercises by simulation and is used to study the effects of different model parametersthat represent the liver and muscles. Simulation-based sensitivity analysis is presented, showing positive results toward mitigating type 2 DM.