Newsletter November 2025: Diabetes and Detoxification: The Connection No One’s Talking About
- PCNM PCNM
- Nov 10
- 3 min read
Dr. Tapp's Thought's
Every November, as we settle into the fall season, the cozy evenings, holiday baking… a few extra celebrations start to make their way into our days.
The season invites connection, comfort, and, if we are being honest… a little extra sweetness and indulgence.
It’s perfect timing, then, that this month’s newsletter focuses on diabetes, and our webinar dives into detoxification, two topics that are much more connected than most people realize.
What many don’t realize is that even before diabetes is diagnosed (at an HbA1C of 6.5), when HbA1C creeps above 5.7, subtle cellular changes begin. The body’s tiny blood vessels, the microcirculation that feeds your eyes, kidneys, liver, and nerves, start to stiffen and function less effectively than they once did. This early insulin resistance sets off a cascade:
Fat begins to accumulate in the liver, creating a condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (clues in your blood work include: AST, ALT, and GGT).
The kidneys start to lose their filtering capacity (monitor your eGFR and creatinine on your blood work).
Both the liver and kidneys are two of the body’s main detox organs. When their function begins to falter, not only does blood sugar regulation worsen, but it also changes how your body handles medications, hormones, caffeine, alcohol, and environmental toxins. Drugs that once cleared easily may now linger longer in circulation, increasing the risk of side effects.
One of the most effective ways to support detoxification is to maintain a healthy blood sugar level most of the time, ideally with HbA1C levels below 5.7. Please keep in mind, a celebratory meal at holiday time isn’t enough to derail your HbA1C.
I hope that as you head into the festive season, you’ll approach your health from a place of awareness and empowerment. Promise me you won’t approach it with guilt.
Every bite, sip, and moment of joy is important to savour. So savour it. Be present in your celebrations and focus on the experience, not the amount of protein you ate, or how much sugar is in that treat, or even the alcohol; just enjoy your time. Truthfully, if you are more present in your body as well as the experience, you’ll hear your body tell you when you’ve had enough.
Life would be so boring if we deprived ourselves of the delicious foods we celebrate with! Wishing you the most joyful holiday season!
Clinic News
Detoxification: No Bullsh*t, Only Hard Data Webinar
Tired of detox hype? So are we.
Join Dr. Brenda Tapp Leonard, ND, on Sunday, November 23 at 9:00 am for a deep dive into the science behind detoxification—how your body really clears toxins, and what’s worth your time, money, and effort.
A recording will be available if you can't make it live.
Exciting Update from Shavonne Wood, RD!
Starting January 1, 2026, Shavonne Wood will be updating her appointment lengths and pricing to better support your nutrition journey:
Initial Appointment: previously 60 mins in length, Shavonne's initial nutrition consultations will now be up to 75 mins long to allow for extra time where needed – $250
Follow-Up Appointments: 45 minutes – $185 and 30 minutes – $125
Appointments are available in person at The Village Apothecary in Millbrook or virtually for added flexibility, and these changes give a little more time to dive into your goals, explore personalized nutrition strategies, and make sure you leave each session feeling confident and supported.
Many patients tell me they’ve been advised to avoid bananas or stick only to berries because “fruit has too much sugar.”
Here’s the truth: fruit contains sugar, but it’s not the same as added sugar. Let’s unpack why fruit gets such a bad reputation and what the research actually shows.