curing diabetes
Diabetes. High blood
sugar. Isn't that an 'old people' disease?
Doesn't that only cause problems for your grandparents or other
elderly relatives and friends? Is that the disease where you
have to give yourself shots every day? That's the disease that
you get from eating too much sugar, right? Isn't it true that
only fat people get that illness?
Before we go much further, let's go over some basics about
diabetes. First, about 5.5 million Americans are currently being
treated for diabetes. Studies imply that 5 million more
Americans have undetected diabetes and another 20 million have
an impaired glucose tolerance that may lead to diabetes. That's
a significant amount of people. The National Institutes of
Health state that millions of people lose their vision each year
due to undetected diabetes. Most important to note is that the
third leading cause of death in the United States is the
complications of diabetes.
There are two different forms of diabetes and it's not the Type
I and Type II that you always hear about. The first form is
called Diabetes Insipidus. This kind of diabetes is very rare
and has two causes. There may be a low level of a hormone called
vasopressin or the kidneys cannot effectively respond to the
vasopressin. The key symptoms of this metabolic malfunction are
an extreme thirst and high urine output.
The more common form of diabetes is called Diabetes Mellitus. It
is the result of a problem with the pancreas and its production
of insulin. The body's blood sugar level is dependent on the
proper amounts of insulin produced to breakdown the glucose
(sugar) in our diet. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease of
carbohydrate metabolism. Genetics certainly plays a part in
developing diabetes but a diet of highly processed, low-fiber
foods has been seen as a major contributor in most cases. This
type of diet leads to obesity resulting in overweight
individuals having a higher risk of diabetes.
Diabetes mellitus is the Type I and Type II diabetes that you've
heard about. Type I, known as insulin-dependent or juvenile
diabetes. This form of diabetes involves the destruction of the
beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. It is most
common in children.
Individuals with Type I diabetes show the following symptoms: *
Irritability * Frequent urination * Abnormal thirst *
Nausea/Vomiting * Weight loss * Fatigue * Weakness * Unusual
hunger * Frequent bedwetting (in children)
Type I diabetics are also susceptible to episodes of high blood
sugar (hyperglycemia) and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Either
of these conditions can cause serious medical problems.
Hyperglycemia can sneak up slowly over a period of hours or days
and it is most common during an illness. A chief warning sign is
the inability to keep down fluids. Possible complications
include stroke, coma, blindness, kidney failure, and nerve
damage. Hypoglycemia, on the other hand, comes on rapidly and
can be caused by skipping meals or exercising too much. The
signs of hypoglycemia include dizziness, hunger, confusion,
sweating, and tingling lips. Complications can be double vision,
trembling, disorientation, and coma.
Type II diabetes is most likely to happen in individuals with a
family history of diabetes. This form of diabetes is slightly
different. The pancreas produces insulin but it doesn't work
properly. As a result, the blood sugar level remains high
because the glucose cannot get into the body's cells as quickly
as it should.
Folks with Type II diabetes exhibit the following symptoms: *
Blurred vision * Itching * Unusual thirst * Fatigue * Slow wound
healing * Numbness in hands and feet * Skin infections *
Lingering flu symptoms * Loss of hair on legs * Increased facial
hair * Small, yellow bumps on the body
A common first indicator of diabetes in men is a condition known
as balanoposthitis. This condition is an inflammation of the
penis and foreskin and usually accompanies frequent urination.
There is a wide range of natural health options that are
available to diabetics. Maintaining a proper diet and
participating in an exercise program are two of the most
important ways to control diabetes. Your physician and dietician
will be most helpful in developing a food plan that will be best
for you. A rule of thumb for a diabetic diet is to eat foods
that contain complex carbohydrates, low fat, and high fiber.
That means plenty of fruits and vegetables, including juices.
The complex carbs enter the system more slowly, the fiber helps
slow the blood sugar spikes, and the low fat keeps the fat
levels in your bloodstream down. Avoid the simple sugars and the
saturated fats.
Exercise is of equal importance since obesity is a major
contributing factor in Type II diabetes. Your physician and
therapists can help you develop a weight reduction program to
fit your needs.
In addition to diet and exercise, there are nutritional
supplements that have been found helpful for diabetes. These
supplements are: Chromium picolinate - enhances the effect of
insulin resulting in lower blood sugar levels L-Glutamine -
reduces sugar cravings Biotin - assists in glucose metabolism
Manganese - important for repair of the pancreas
Do not take any supplements that contain cysteine, an amino
acid. It can cause problems with the ability of the cells to
absorb insulin properly.
Vitamins B, C, and E are also helpful as antioxidants. They work
toward the prevention of secondary complications of diabetes
such a vision and vascular problems. However, large doses of
Vitamin C or B1 should be avoided because they may inactivate
insulin.
Several herbs are also advocated for diabetes. These herbs are
cedar berries, huckleberry, ginseng, bilberry, dandelion root,
buchu, and uva ursi. Each herb has a specific role in
maintaining proper blood sugar levels.
Because diabetes causes problems with the circulatory system, it
is vital to avoid tobacco in any form. Tobacco constricts the
blood vessels and slows the circulation. Tobacco use provides
less oxygen to the extremities. This lack of oxygen plays a
major role in the development of foot ulcers commonly seen in
diabetics.
There are many reasons to try to prevent the onset of diabetes.
It threatens your overall health and can lead to a wide range of
complications. Here are just a few. Diabetic Retinopathy - This
is damage done to the retina and is the leading cause of
blindness in the United States. Diabetic Nephropathy - This is
damage done to the kidneys and is the leading cause of death in
diabetics. Diabetic Neuropathy - This is damage done to the
nerves and is characterized by numbness, tingling, and pain. It
affects the feet, legs, and hands.
It has been said that diabetes is deceptive, insidious, and
inconvenient. If you feel that you are experiencing signs of
diabetes, check with your primary care provider.
For more information on diabetes, you can contact the
organizations listed below.
American Diabetes Association 1660 Duke Street Alexandria, VA
22314 703-549-1500
International Diabetes Center 3800 Park Nicolett Boulevard
Minneapolis, MN 55416 612-927-3393
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse 1 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3560 301-654-3327
If you would like more information on topics discussed in this
article or to suggest ideas for a future article, you can
contact me at my website.
I hope that you have found this information useful and
educational. Be a major contributor to your health care. Learn
all you can about the body you have with you 24 hours a day.
About the author:
Jerry Ryan, Ph.D. is a Natural Health Coach who teaches
individuals and group classes on the scientifically documented
benefits of natural health techniques. He is also an
internationally published author and has been a guest speaker at
such places as NIKE World Headquarters.