Diabetes: a national problem
Diabetes currently effects about 15.7 million people, or 5.9% of the world population, according to Diabetes Digest, March 8, 2000. Just under 800,000 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed annually.
Diet is very important to maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Click here to get more information on balancing blood sugar levels.
Show all answers • Hide all answers
Are there different types of Diabetes?
Type 1: known as Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) or Juvenile-Onset Diabetes. Type 1 accounts for only 5-10% of all diabetes diagnosed. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin. This appears to be due to auto-immune, genetic or environmental factors.
Type 2: known as Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) or Adult-Onset Diabetes (AOD). Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes diagnosed, and appears to be brought on by obesity, physical inactivity, dietary fat, Chromium deficiency, family history (genetic predisposition), impaired glucose tolerance, older age, and race/ethnicity.
Gestational Diabetes: present in mothers in 2-5% of all pregnancies, gestational diabetes disappears when the pregnancy is over. Studies have shown that women with histories of gestational diabetes are at a much higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
"Other Specific Types" of diabetes: attributed to specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infection and other illnesses. These cases account for approximately 1-2% of all diabetes diagnosed. (Diabetes Digest, March 8, 2000)
We can then deduce from the available information that between 90 and 95% of all diabetes cases are brought on in large part by diet and lifestyle choices. A lack of exercise and a high fat/low Chromium diet seem to play major roles in the development of Adult Onset Diabetes.
What are the modern medical treatments for diabetes?
For Type 2 Diabetes: Sulfonylurea drugs are the most commonly used drugs, which include: Diabeta (GLYBURIDE), Glucotrol XL(GLIPIZIDE) and many more.
Sulfonylurea drugs are the mainstay of therapy for non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes. These drugs stimulate the beta cells of the pancreas to make more insulin and also make insulin more effective.
Studies at the University of Chicago in 2001 showed that these drugs increase the risk of spasm for coronary arteries -leading to increased risk for heart disease and death. Although there have been several good clinical studies that indicated a direct link between heart disease and these sulfonylurea drugs, these drugs are still available and are the primary method of treatment by allopathic (standard) physicians.
For Type 1 Diabetes: Humulin, Novolin, Lantis, and a host of insulin products made from human and animal sources.
Is there a holistic approach to treating Type-2 Diabetes?
Minerals
Chromium: an essential mineral for the production of GTF (Glucose Tolerance Factor), an enzyme-like substance necessary for the proper production and utilization of insulin. When the body is deficient in Chromium there may be elevated blood sugar levels and diabetes. Usual dose is 200 - 400 mcg daily.
Chromium levels inn common foods: (in parts per million)
- refined sugar - 0.02 ppm
- molasses 0.20+ ppm
- whole wheat 0.40 ppm
- milk 1.6 ppm
- chicken 1.7 ppm
- black pepper 10.0 ppm
- Brewers yeast 44.9 ppm
Manganese: "...one dramatic case has been recorded where a young man with severe diabetes who was unresponsive to insulin, controlled his disease by drinking alfalfa tea. Since alfalfa contains high levels of manganese, a manganese supplement was given and found to produce the same results." Manganese Induced Hypoglycemia, by A. Rubenstein et al. Lancet, December, 1962, pp 1348-1351.
A deficiency results in diabetes in guinea pigs and the frequent birth of offspring who develop pancreatic abnormalities or no pancreas at all. Diabetics are shown to have a 50% lower level of manganese than that of healthy non-diabetics.
Manganese content in food varies greatly with the soil quality. It is among the least toxic of the minerals. Patients with exaggerated allergy symptoms may benefit from manganese. Usual dose is 30 mg daily.
Magnesium: Magnesium levels are significantly lowered in diabetics, and lowest in those with severe retinopathy. Usual dose is 350 mg daily.
Zinc: Zinc is involved in virtually all aspects of insulin metabolism including synthesis, secretion, and utilization. Usual dose is 30mg daily.
Bioflavinoids: May be useful for preventing damage to the nerves caused by excessively elevated blood sugar.
Biotin: This B vitamin has been shown to work synergistically with insulin and independently in increasing the activity of glucokinase. Glucokinase, a liver enzyme, is responsible for the first step in glucose utilization and is shown to have a low concentration in diabetics. Usual dose varies between 1 to 16mg daily.
Pyridoxine: Diabetics with neuropathy have been shown to be deficient in vitamin B-6 and benefit from supplementation.
Evening Primrose Oil: Its active component, GLA, has been shown to prevent nerve damage due to fluctuations in blood sugar. Botanical Medicines (Herbs)
Scientific evidence is still coming in on the following herbs abilities to reduce blood sugar levels:
- Gymnema sylvestre (Gur Mar)
- Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek)
- Momordica charantia (Bitter melon or balsam pear)
- Allium cepa and Allium sativum (Onion and Garlic)
- Vaccinum myrtillus (Bilberry leaves) a blueberry relative
- Syzygium Cucum (Jambol)
- Coccinia Indica: Native to India
- Pterocarpus Marsupium: Native to India
Additional Information
Type 2 Diabetes can be treated very successfully using alternative therapies. These therapies do require some lifestyle changes and some knowledge about how you can begin to manage your blood sugar imbalances.
Getting well is not difficult, it is just different.
Learning about the glycemic index will help you understand how the right fats can assist in balancing your blood sugar levels. As a person with blood sugar imbalances, you need to know the foods you ABSOLUTELY need to avoid at all costs. Your kitchen can either help you or hurt you. Learn how to use foods to re-balance your blood sugar levels.
