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DIABETES MELLITUS
Diabetes here refers to diabetes mellitus. People with diabetes cannot properly process glucose, a sugar the body uses for energy. As a result, glucose says in the blood, causing blood glucose to rise. At the same time, however, the cells of the body are starved for glucose. Diabetes can lead to poor wound healing, higher risk of infections, and many other problems involving the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart. There are two types of diabetes, NIDDM usually results from many years of chronic metabolic insult; although it can be treated with the natural metabolic approach presented here. The type IDDM patient (the type I diabetic) will always require insulin.
Lifestyle changes: Exercise helps decrease body fat and improves insulin sensitivity. However, exercise can induce low blood sugar or even increased blood sugar. Therefore, diabetics should never begin an exercise program without consulting a health care professional. Moderate drinking in health people improves glucose tolerance. However, alcohol worsens glucose tolerance in the elderly. Diabetics who smoke are at higher risk for kidney damage, heart disease, and other diabetes linked problems. It is important to quit smoking.
Dietary changes: People with diabetes cannot properly process sugar. Eating fish like omega-3 fish oil supplements, shows to improves glucose tolerance. Reducing protein intake lowers kidney damage caused by diabetes and may also improve glucose tolerance. Monounsaturated oils olive oil) is good for diabetics. Carbohydrates must be avoided. High fiber foods and fats should be kept to a minimum. Legumes, onions, and garlic are particularly useful.
Helpful Nutrients: Vitamin E(800-1,200 IU per day), prevents blood from clotting too fast and has other effects that protect diabetics' blood vessels from damage. Vitamin C ( 500-1000mg 3 times per day) also lowers sorbitol in diabetics, sorbitol is a sugar that can accumulate and damage the eyes, nerves, and kidneys of diabetics. Vitamin B6(1,800 mg per day) supplements improve glucose tolerance in women with diabetes caused by pregnancy. Vitamin B12(500 mcg three times per day) in needed for normal functioning of nerve cells. Biotin is a B vitamin needed to process glucose(9 mg per day for two months). Vitamin B3(500-700 mg per day), chromium, brewer's yeast, magnesium(300-400 mg per day), zinc(15-25 mg per day), coenzyme Q10(120 mg per day) has shown to improve glucose tolerance. Inositol is needed for normal nerve function. Diabetes can cause nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy. Some of these abnormalities have been reversed by inositol supplementation(500 mg taken twice per day). Mixed flavonide (1,000-2,000 per day). Flaxseed oil (1 tablespoon per day).
Helpful Herbs: Gymnema assists the pancreas in the production of insulin and ability of insulin to lower blood sugar. Asian ginseng is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes. It has been shown to enhance the release of insulin from the pancreas and to increase the number of insulin receptors. Bilberry may lower the risk of some diabetic complications, such as diabetic cataracts and retinopathy. Ginkgo biloba extract may prove useful for prevention and treatment of early-stage diabetic neuropathy. Other herbs that may help are fenugreek seeds, bitter melon, aloe Vera juice, and eleuthero (Siberian ginseng).