Not Just One Diagnosis: The 5 Types of Diabetes You Should Actually Know About

 

“You can’t heal what you don’t understand. And you can’t manage what you’ve been misinformed about.” 
— LiBelle’ StrongHer Mindset 💪💜 

 

🌟 Let’s Clear This Up: Diabetes Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All 

You’ve probably heard of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes—but guess what? Science (finally) caught up with real life, and there are now five distinct types of diabetes recognized across global health conversations. 

And no, this isn’t just about insulin shots and sugar levels. 
Each type has its own cause, symptoms, risks, and treatment approach. 

So buckle up for a LiBelle’ dive into what makes each one unique—and how a holistic lens can help support your journey (or someone you love). 

 

💉 Type 1 Diabetes: The Autoimmune Overachiever 

This one’s a classic—but definitely not simple. 

🧬 What it is: 
Your immune system misfires and destroys your pancreas’ insulin-producing beta cells. 
No insulin = no sugar regulation. 

⚠️ Key facts: 

• Usually diagnosed in childhood or young adulthood. 
• Requires daily insulin therapy. 
• Symptoms include extreme thirst, constant urination, fatigue, and sudden weight loss. 

💜 LiBelle’ Lens: 
While it’s not preventable, holistic support matters. Think low-glycemic foods, stress management, cellular nourishment, and reducing inflammation naturally to support overall health and hormone balance. 

 

🍔 Type 2 Diabetes: The Slow Burn of Insulin Resistance 

This one sneaks up on you. It’s lifestyle-driven, but highly manageable—and sometimes even reversible. 

🧬 What it is: 
Your body still makes insulin, but your cells stop listening to it. It’s like insulin’s knocking on the door, and your cells are ghosting it. 

⚠️ Key facts: 

• Strongly linked to diet, weight, stress, and sedentary lifestyle. 
• Often comes with fatigue, cravings, stubborn belly fat, or no symptoms at all. 
• Accounts for over 90% of diabetes diagnoses. 

💜 LiBelle’ Lens: 
Time to call in the food-as-medicine squad: whole foods, blood-sugar-friendly proteins, fiber, hydration, movement, and all the mindset magic. 
Think: “I’m not trying, I am becoming.” 
This is the version of you that wins—she speaks. 💪 

 

🧠 Type 3 Diabetes: When the Brain Stops Listening 

Nicknamed the “Alzheimer’s of blood sugar,” this one hits where it hurts most—memory, mood, and mental clarity. 

🧬 What it is: 
Insulin resistance in the brain. The same mechanism that causes Type 2 now shows up as foggy thinking, forgetfulness, and early cognitive decline. 

⚠️ Key facts: 

• Not officially labeled by all agencies, but increasingly accepted in research. 
• Brain cells can't efficiently use glucose—so your brain runs out of fuel. 
• Strong links to high-sugar diets, inflammation, and oxidative stress. 

💜 LiBelle’ Lens: 
Boost brain fuel with healthy fats, antioxidant-rich veggies, magnesium, and blood-sugar balancing magic. 
🧠 Brain fog? Start with hydration, sleep, and cutting the sugar rollercoaster. 
A dragonfly doesn’t fly in fog—it waits for the light. Be that light. 

 

👵🏼 Type 4 Diabetes: The Age-Related Whisper 

This one doesn’t shout. It creeps in during your golden years—especially if you’re lean and older. 

🧬 What it is: 
A proposed category for diabetes in aging adults who aren’t overweight. It’s insulin resistance tied to muscle loss and age, not diet alone. 

⚠️ Key facts: 

• Typically affects people over 65. 
• May fly under the radar due to low body weight. 

• Often misdiagnosed or treated like Type 2. 

💜 LiBelle’ Lens: 
Protect that muscle mass! Think strength training, protein-rich meals, balance, and self-advocacy. 
Old doesn't mean broken. It means wise enough to listen. 👏 

 

🍠 Type 5 Diabetes: Malnutrition-Related, Finally Recognized 

This one is new to the headlines—but not new to the world. 

🧬 What it is: 
A form of diabetes tied to early-life protein-energy malnutrition, which stunts pancreas development. Recently re-recognized by the International Diabetes Federation in 2025. 

⚠️ Key facts: 

• Often misdiagnosed as Type 1 or Type 2. 
• Affects primarily young, underweight individuals in lower-income regions. 
• Causes insulin deficiency—but not resistance. 

 

🌱 Natural Approaches to Managing All 5 Types 

Managing diabetes isn’t just about meds and meters—it’s about empowerment, education, and real-life strategies. Enter: naturopathic medicine. It's your body's BFF. 

🥦 1. Proper Nutrition: Let Food Be Your Fix 

Balance is key: 

• High-fiber carbs: leafy greens, lentils, quinoa, apples 
• Healthy fats: avocado, olive oil, nuts 
• Lean proteins: eggs, turkey, fish, Greek yogurt 
• Avoid: refined sugar, soda, white bread, artificial sweeteners 

💧 Stay hydrated! Water helps stabilize blood sugar and flush excess glucose. 

 

🧘‍♀️ 2. Exercise: Move with Intention 

You don’t need to run marathons. Just move your body every day. 

• Walk after meals 
• Do bodyweight strength moves 
• Try gentle yoga, Pilates, or dance 
  

🏋️‍♀️ StrongHer says: Movement builds insulin sensitivity and confidence. 

 

🌿 3. Herbal Helpers 

Here’s a peek at Mother Nature’s medicine cabinet: 

• Cinnamon – Helps reduce fasting glucose 
• Mulberry leaf – Balances blood sugar 
• Fenugreek – Improves insulin sensitivity 
• Turmeric – Reduces inflammation 
• Ginseng – Combats fatigue and stabilizes blood sugar 
  

🫖 Sip on these herbs in tea or try tinctures/capsules (always check with your provider). 

 

💊 4. Natural Supplements 

Targeted support can go a long way. Consider: 

• Chromium – Helps insulin do its job 
• Magnesium – Improves insulin sensitivity (look for these 5 – Magnesium Chloride, Citrate, Glycinate, Oxide and Sulfate) 
• Alpha-lipoic acid – Antioxidant + blood sugar helper 
• Berberine – Called "nature’s Metformin" 
• Bitter melon – Regulates post-meal glucose 
  

🧠 And don't forget: probiotics (gut health = glucose health!) 

 

🧘‍♀️ 5. Stress Reduction = Blood Sugar Regulation 

Stress jacks up cortisol… which spikes blood sugar. Not cute. 
Try: 

• Deep breathing 
• Journaling 
• Nature walks 
• Reiki or energy healing 
• Angelic meditation (hello LiBellé’ sessions 😉) 

 

🌿 The Holistic Bottom Line 

👉 Every type of diabetes is different—but they all revolve around how your body handles sugar, insulin, and inflammation. 

At LiBelle’, we believe your body was built to heal—when you give it the right support: 

✨ Nutrition that doesn’t spike your sugar 
✨ Supplements that replenish deficiencies 
✨ Movement that feels good 
✨ Mindset that supports healing (StrongHer style, always) 
✨ And knowledge—because you are your best advocate 

 

💜 LiBelle’ Lens: 
Whether you’re here or abroad, this is a wake-up call about nourishment. 
Every body deserves fuel that builds—not just fills. 
Support looks like zinc, magnesium, clean proteins, gut support, herbs like cinnamon & berberine (with your doc's green light, of course). 

 

🩷 Because healing isn’t just a process—it’s a permission slip. 
And we’re signing it with glitter. 

 
With love and purple dragonflies, 
Megan @ LiBelle’ Essential Living

 Got questions or want a custom holistic consultation?

📍 Message me or visit LiBellé’ Essential Living