Diabetes

Learn More About Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it properly, causing too much sugar to stay in your blood. Over time, this can lead to serious health problems. There are several types of diabetes, and each type is different in how it develops and how it's managed.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It often develops in childhood or young adulthood, but it can happen at any age. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to manage their blood sugar.

Type 2, Type 3c, and Gestational Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form. It typically develops in adults, but more young people are being diagnosed due to rising obesity rates and lifestyle factors. Type 3c diabetes (sometimes referred to as type 3) occurs when the pancreas is damaged due to conditions like pancreatitis or surgery. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after delivery, but it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later.

Causes of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes isn’t fully understood, but it's believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The immune system mistakenly attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. It’s not caused by lifestyle factors and is not preventable.

Type 2, Type 3c, and Gestational Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin. It is strongly linked to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, physical inactivity, excess weight, and chronic stress. Type 3c diabetes is caused by physical damage to the pancreas, and gestational diabetes is influenced by hormonal changes during pregnancy and how the body handles insulin at that time.

Can I Reverse My Diabetes?

Type 2, Type 3, and Gestational Diabetes

Yes! With lifestyle medicine it’s possible to reverse type 2 diabetes and bring blood sugar levels back into a healthy range without medications. In some cases, gestational and type 3c diabetes can also be reversed or significantly improved after addressing the underlying causes. Every person is different, and results depend on your unique situation—but many people have successfully reversed their diabetes through sustainable lifestyle changes.

Type 1 Diabetes

While type 1 diabetes cannot currently be reversed due to the body’s inability to produce insulin, lifestyle medicine can still play a powerful role in managing your condition. Healthy eating, physical activity, and stress management can improve blood sugar control, reduce insulin needs, and support your overall well-being.

Daniel Castro, M.D., FACP, CDCES, Dipl. ACLM, CDC Lifestyle Coach

Medical Director
CDCES Certified

Internal Medicine / Lifestyle Medicine

dcastro@usdiabetescare.com

423-616-0635

Born in New York and raised in California and Chile has given Dr. Castro the ability to adapt to multiple cultures. Completing his undergraduate study at California State University, Northridge with a double bachelor's degree in Biology and Chemistry. His medical education was at Loma Linda University, continuing his residency program specializing in Internal Medicine. Once this program was completed, he became Chief Resident and then joined the Internal Medicine and Family Medicine faculty. This is where he developed his passion for teaching and working with students and residents.

Dr. Castro held multiple leadership roles over the years, both in his Church as well as his professional career. For many years, he served as co-host of a Spanish radio show on health-related topics in Southern California. He and his wife are very involved locally with Church and teaching health seminars and cooking classes for the community. Highlights of his professional roles include Chief of General Internal Medicine at Loma Linda Veterans Administration Medical Center, working as overseer for the physicians in the clinics and hospital settings. Most recently, the Lead Medical Officer for the Morristown Veterans Administration Clinic and is now transitioning as Medical Director for US Diabetes Care.

Over the last several years, Dr. Castro has developed a growing interest in diet, lifestyle, and health outcomes. He completed Board Certifications in Lifestyle Medicine in 2019 to complement his Board Certifications in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine. He is CDCES certified which means he is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. He is also a certified CDC Lifestyle Coach. He wishes to integrate his Internal Medicine skills with Lifestyle Medicine with those patents that desire to work towards better health by making wise lifestyle choices and to help battle the diabetes epidemic.

Dr. Castro, his wife, and their children enjoy spending time outdoors in the garden, on his farm, hiking, traveling, and camping.

Tyler Hopkins

RD, LD, CSG

Quality Coordinator

Tyler is a Registered Dietitian (RD) and a Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG). He received his Bachelor of Science in Medical Dietetics from the Ohio State University. After graduation he spent several years in Hawaii providing nutrition care in a multicultural setting and received his board certification. Tyler has also spent time working with the Veteran's Health Administration providing nutrition care for hemodialysis patients.

As a dietitian, Tyler primarily focuses on lifestyle and dietary management of chronic disease. He is excited to channel this experience into diet education for diabetes management.

Tyler’s education, excellent skills and experience provide the perfect fit as Quality Coordinator for the ADA (American Diabetes Association) Recognition Program at U.S. Diabetes Care. His skills are an integral part of our new wound care program for patient education and assessment of nutritional needs to aid in the healing process.