Diabetes and Diabetic Health

"Our food should be our medicine, and our medicine should be our food." -Hippocrates

There are 3 basic types of Diabetes.

Type 1 - Often called Juvenile Onset Diabetes or Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus. Production of Insulin is very restricted or nonexistent.
Typical treatment includes Insulin injections.
As defined in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases' (NIDDK) The Diabetes Dictionary:
type 1 diabetes:
a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a total lack of insulin. Occurs when the body's immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people but can appear in adults.

Type 2 - Commonly called Adult Onset Diabetes or Noninsulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus. Insulin is produced, but not enough, and/or the body cannot properly make use of it.
Treatment includes diet, exercise, weight loss, and oral medications, but may require Insulin injections in severe or advanced cases.
As defined in the NIDDK's The Diabetes Dictionary:
type 2 diabetes:
a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by either a lack of insulin or the body's inability to use insulin efficiently. Type 2 diabetes develops most often in middle-aged and older adults but can appear in young people.

Gestational Diabetes is a third type of diabetes, sometimes considered a special kind of Type 2 diabetes. This is a condition that may develop in pregnant women and results in high blood sugar levels.
Treatment is through diet, exercise, and possibly Insulin. Oral medications are not advised due to possible fetal damage.
As defined in the NIDDK's The Diabetes Dictionary:
gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM):
a type of diabetes mellitus that develops only during pregnancy and usually disappears upon delivery, but increases the risk that the mother will develop diabetes later. GDM is managed with meal planning, activity, and, in some cases, insulin.

Type 2 Diabetes is the focus of this web page.

Diabetes is a symptom of several conditions, all of which result in increased blood glucose levels. The body may not produce adequate amounts of insulin, or it may produce insulin but not be able to use it properly.

Insulin is required to transport glucose from the blood to various parts of the body, which convert the glucose to energy.

A diabetic person typically has low energy levels because glucose cannot be absorbed and thus is not converted to energy.

The unused glucose accumulates in the blood until it reaches such a high level that the kidneys begin to remove it and the excess glucose is expelled in the urine. (Possibly changing its color or smell, and increasing fungus growth in the toilet bowl.)

Elevated blood glucose levels have many negative effects on the body. In addition to overworking the kidneys, the high glucose levels also damage the small blood vessels resulting in poor circulation to the extremities, sexual dysfunction, and poor eyesight from retinal degradation. Diabetics are at a greater risk of cardio vascular disease than the general population.

There is no known cure for diabetes, but several ways to manage the disease.

Natural Methods
Diet - Reduction in calorie intake essential if overweight.
Exercise - Any increase in activity can help
A walking program, such as the 10,000 Step program, can have many substantial benefits, however increase walking distance gradually, don't over do it and burn out
Reduce insulin resistance
Reduce weight
Improve cardio-vascular health
Improve mental health and outlook
Increased muscle mass - muscle is more efficient in transferring glucose
Herbs - Decrease Insulin Resistance
Help prevent secondary diseases
Circulatory Support
Kidney support
General improved health
Supplements - Chromium is essential to glucose transport.
Pharmaceuticals
Several classes of medications exist and have different primary modes of action.
Sulfonylureas - first type of diabetes drugs to be developed, cause the pancreas to continually produce more insulin, strict meal schedules are essential or hypoglycemia may occur.
Meglitinide & D-phenylalanine derivatives - both of these classes also cause more insulin to be produced, but work for short durations, reducing the chance of hypoglycemia.
Biguanides - reduces the amount of glucose generated by the liver. Has very little chance of causing hypoglycemia.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors - prevents carbohydrates (starches) from being broken down into simple sugars in the intestines, thus preventing glucose production and absorption. With a balanced diet, they cause slower and lower rises in blood sugar concentration and have little chance of causing hypoglycemia, but do cause intestinal gas production.
Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) - reduce insulin resistance. If other problems don't exist, they have minimal chance of causing hypoglycemia, but possible liver damage is a major concern.
Insulin
Always required in Type 1 diabetes and may be necessary in the management of blood glucose levels in Type 2 diabetes. Some people prefer using insulin to oral medications because it is "natural" and is less likely to have some of the damaging effects associated with the pharmaceuticals. Additionally, it may be less expensive.

Watch for interactions.

Combining insulin, herbs and pharmaceuticals, or even diet, may lower blood glucose levels too much, cause hypoglycemia, and require immediate medical attention.

Some key diabetes related definitions from the NIDDK's The Diabetes Dictionary:
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA):
an emergency condition in which extremely high blood glucose levels, along with a severe lack of insulin, result in the breakdown of body fat for energy and an accumulation of ketones in the blood and urine. Signs of DKA are nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, fruity breath odor, and rapid breathing. Untreated DKA can lead to coma and death.

diabetic retinopathy :
diabetic eye disease; damage to the small blood vessels in the retina. Loss of vision may result.

hypoglycemia:
a condition that occurs when one's blood glucose is lower than normal, usually less than 70 mg/dL. Signs include hunger, nervousness, shakiness, perspiration, dizziness or light-headedness, sleepiness, and confusion. If left untreated, hypoglycemia may lead to unconsciousness. Hypoglycemia is treated by consuming a carbohydrate-rich food such as a glucose tablet or juice. It may also be treated with an injection of glucagon if the person is unconscious or unable to swallow. Also called an insulin reaction.

References

1. The Green Pharmacy, James A. Duke, Ph.D., Rodale Press Inc., Emmaus, PA, 1997, pp. 161-166.
2. The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook, James A. Duke, Ph.D., Rodale Reach, 2000.
3. Nature's Best Herbal Remedies, James A. Duke, Ph.D., Rodale Press, Inc., Emmaus, PA, pp. 24-25.
4. Dr. Duke's Essential Herbs, James A. Duke, Ph.D., Rodale Reach, 1999.
5. The American Medical Association Family Medical Guide, Third Edition, Charles B. Clayman, M.D., Random House, New York, NY, 1994, pp. 558-562, + various.
6. Natural Medicines and Cures Your Doctor Never Tells You About, Frank W. Cawood, FC&A Publishing, Peachtree City, GA, 1995, pp. 224-241.
7. The First Year - Type 2 Diabetes, Gretchen Becker, Marlowe & Company, New York, NY, 2001, publisher's web page , or buy at Amazon .
8. Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 2nd Edition, David E. Larson, M.D., Willam Morrow and Company, Inc., New York, NY, 1996, pp. 925-936.
9. National Diabetes Fact Sheet, American Diabetes Association, http://www.diabetes.org/main/info/facts/facts_natl.jsp, December 2002.
10. Diabetes Overview, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/diabetes/pubs/dmover/dmover.htm, December, 2002.
11. The Merck Manual of Medical Information Home Edition, Robert Berkow, M.D., Pocket Books, New York, NY, 1997, pp. 717-723, 724-726.
12. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy 15th Edition, Robert Berkow, M.D., Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 1987, pp. 1069-1088.
13. The Glucose Revolution Life Plan, Jennie Brand-Miller, Ph.D., Marlowe & Company, New York, NY, 2000.
14. The Diabetes Dictionary, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/diabetes/pubs/dmdict/dmdict.htm, December 2002, (NIH Publication No. 02-3016 - June 2002)


"The natural way is the only way."
-Hippocrates




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Last Revision 1/1/06

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