Diabetes

Summary

Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is a chronic, degenerative illness caused by blood insulin deficiencies which result from the body becoming incapable of generating normal levels of insulin, or blood insulin resistance, a condition in which the cells of the body resist insulin’s attempts at regulating blood sugar levels. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas to metabolize glucose, a type of sugar which is one of the primary sources of cells’ energy supply. Whether diabetic issues are brought on by insulin opposition or deficiencies in insulin, the end result in the exact same; the body is not able to transport sufficient glucose from the bloodstream into the cells, particularly after foods, when blood sugar levels rise as a natural consequence of digestion.

Normally, glucose levels in the body are maintained through the body’s self-regulating mechanisms, referred to as homeostasis. A rise in blood sugar after eating is supposed to stimulate production of the hormone insulin in the pancreas, and also the insulin released into the blood stream should keep blood sugar levels within a safe and functional range. However, when the insulin-generating cells of the pancreas aren’t functioning normally, glucose levels remain high. If the situation becomes chronic, the stage is set for diabetic issues to occur.

Diabetic issues affect an incredible number of Americans, and it is estimated that many of those who have diabetes are not aware of their situation. Diabetes makes up about nearly 10% of all U.S. deaths for people 25 and older. It is also the primary cause of new cases of blindness among adults 20-74 and is the leading reason for end-stage kidney disease. In addition, diabetic issues are the main reason for amputations of the arm or leg, and also is the number one cause of heart disease.

Testing for Diabetes

Diabetic issues are generally tested by measuring the amount of glucose within the bloodstream. There are three kinds of tests that can be used for this purpose. The first is a direct test of the dimension of blood glucose levels after an overnight fast, and the second is a measurement of the body’s ability to handle excess sugar after drinking liquid glucose. A third test method, the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) check, measures the number of glucose molecules attached to hemoglobin over a period of 2-3 months.

The conventional standard test for diagnosis of diabetes is a recurring elevated blood sugar level test taken immediately after a fast. Having a fasting blood sugar value over 126 milligrams/dl on at least two individual occasions is said to be indicative of diabetes (while normal values are between 64 as well as 110 mg/dl). However, neither glucose metabolic process problems, neither the early phases of Type II diabetic issues can be easily identified without a 4-5 hour Glucose Tolerance Test which checks both glucose and insulin levels.

Types of Diabetes

There are two main types of diabetes: Insulin-dependent juvenile diabetes, commonly known as Type ll diabetes, and non-insulin reliant diabetes, more commonly known as Type II diabetes. Both types of diabetes are characterized by chronic high blood sugar levels, as well as other disturbances in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolic process. Type ll diabetes is actually by far the most prevalent form of diabetes, accounting for 90-95% of all diabetes cases in the United States.

People with Type I diabetes do not create enough blood insulin, or do not produce any kind of insulin whatsoever in their pancreatic islet cells due to beta cell failure or damage. In Type I diabetes, blood sugar rises because little or no insulin enters the blood stream. Because blood insulin is needed to metabolize the sugars, the body’s tissues cannot get the nourishment they need from glucose and the excess glucose simply builds up within the bloodstream. Some glucose might be converted into fat, but many are excreted through the urine.

Type I diabetes usually begins in early childhood, but it may also occur later in life if the pancreas is damaged because of disease or injury. It is conventionally regarded as a degenerative condition and is treated (but not cured) by conventional physicians by administering insulin injections with every meal to regulate blood sugar.

Type II diabetes is much more common than Type I diabetes and is known as “insulin resistant diabetes.” In cases of Type II diabetes, your body still creates insulin, however the insulin it produces cannot correctly connect with body fat and muscles to allow sugar inside the cells to produce energy. According to the Globe Health Organization (GHO) an epidemic of adult-onset Type II diabetes is occurring all over the world. Cases associated with Type ll diabetes tend to be increasing due to factors such as poor diet plan, obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and longer life spans.

Gestational diabetes is yet a third kind of diabetes. It’s hormonally-triggered and usually a temporary condition occurring in pregnant women. Gestational diabetes is generally a mild condition, and more often than not is manageable via proper dieting and exercise. Rarely does this type of diabetes ever need insulin injections. Despite its typically temporary nature, gestational diabetes should be carefully managed because high blood sugar levels can be damaging to the fetus and can impair the baby’s immune performance.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Classic symptoms of Type I diabetes are excessive thirst, urination and hunger, unhealthy weight loss, dehydration, and fatigue. Additional complications that may result from unmanaged Type ll diabetes are ketoacidosis as well as hyperosmolar coma. Ketoacidosis is a dangerous state of persistent acidity in your body, which means a high acidic pH level. It occurs when the body breaks down fats for energy because it can’t get enough glucose. Acidosis results from the presence of ketones, the toxic byproducts of this reaction. Extreme caution: Ketoacidosis can be life-threatening and should be handled as a healthcare emergency.

Hyperosmolar coma is a life-threatening healthcare emergency that’s fatal in approximately 50% of all cases and always requires hospitalization. This occurs as a result of severe dehydration caused by low fluid intake, high glucose levels, and/or physical stress such as surgery or infection.

Overall, the symptoms of Type II diabetic issues are the same as Type I, with the exception of unhealthy weight loss. It is important to note that with Type II diabetes, sufferers will frequently experience excessive weight gain.

The persistent high levels of blood glucose which cause diabetes can result in a variety of serious health conditions. Extra glucose in the bloodstream alters normal metabolic and natural functions. For example, it reduces the effectiveness of important nutrients such as hemoglobin, the molecule that carries oxygen in red blood cells. Research also shows diabetes can result in increased quantities of low-density -lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol. This occurs because excess glucose in the bloodstream becomes transformed into fats, which can result in small arterial blood vessels becoming hardened by oral plaque buildup. The end result, in the event that left untreated, is often high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. People with diabetic issues are 3-4 times more likely to die of heart attacks compared to those without diabetic issues who have the same number of other contributing factors.

Over the long-term, elevated blood glucose levels may also cause damage to the kidneys (nephropathy, chronic kidney failure); inadequate blood supply to the eyes (cataracts, retinopathy, glaucoma); gastroparesis (loss of peristaltic action in the gastrointestinal tract); high-risk of an infection; and even death. In addition, bad circulation, which is commonly associated with diabetes, can result in loss of sensation, neuropathy, foot ulcers, and potentially foot or leg amputation because of gangrenous bacterial infections.

Causes of Diabetic Issues

Type ll

Type ll diabetes occurs because the pancreatic islet tissues do not produce enough insulin, or absolutely no insulin at all, due to cell failure or destruction. In many cases, this is due to hereditary predisposition, because Type ll diabetes happens more frequently among individuals who have inherited the tendency from their parents.

Many cases associated with Type ll diabetes, nevertheless, are due to an autoimmune disease, as proven by the fact that 75% of Type I diabetics have antibodies to their own pancreatic cells, while only 2-5% of non-diabetics display these antibodies. Among the elements that can initiate the harmful pancreatic autoimmune process are bacterial infections, especially pertussis (whooping coughing), and infections such as Epstein-Barr (EBV), Coxsackie, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes simplex virus, as well as infections that cause rubella and liver disease.

Bovine protein albumin, a substance found in cow’s milk, can also trigger insulin-dependent diabetes by invoking an autoimmune response. Albumin antibodies present in some Type I diabetics can hinder the insulin-generating pancreatic cells.

Type II

Poor diet, obesity, chronic food allergies, viral infections, persistent stress and genetic factors can all trigger or contribute to Type ll diabetes, which is primarily seen as an insulin resistance. The more blood insulin-proof a person becomes, the more insulin the person`s body produces, yet, with time, the body becomes unable to create enough blood insulin to make up for the resistance. Sometimes the Type II diabetic’s body will attempt to compensate, at least initially, by over-producing insulin. But over-manufacture of insulin (a condition known as hyperinsulinemia) can damage blood vessels and can also cause the liver to increase its output of LDL cholesterol, which is linked to increased risk of heart disease.

Recently, obesity has become one of the most significant causes of Type II diabetes. Today, approximately 85% of people identified as having Type ll diabetes are also excessively obese. In fact, researchers now say it is basically inevitable that a person who is 30% overweight for 30+ years will develop Type II diabetes.

Other factors that may cause or contribute to the onset of Type II diabetic issues include infections, parasites, meals allergies, as well as hormonal imbalances, including increased levels of adrenaline and cortisol caused by persistent stress. Particular allergies and viral infections may also cause irritation or autoimmune damage to the insulin-producing pancreatic cells. Higher levels of stress on the body’s hormonal system increases the chance of diabetes by stimulating raised levels of sugars in the bloodstream. Excessive amounts of the hormone estrogen can also increase insulin resistance.

Be aware: According to Daniel Dunphy, PAC, a holistic physician at the Clear Clinic in Mill Valley, California who has achieved great success in treating diabetic issues, both Type I as well as Type II diabetes can often be caused by numerous harmful organisms and/or energetic imbalances that remain undiscovered by traditional medical testing.

Natural Cures

Because Type I diabetic issues are so frequently caused by genes, it is difficult to consider preventive measures, yet there is much that can be done to prevent Type II diabetes, which is by far the most typical form of diabetes. Adults who have a high-risk of Type II diabetes can prevent or delay its onset via lifestyle changes that include proper diet, top quality nutritional supplementation, stress reduction, and physical exercise. Once a person’s diet becomes improved, cleaning and detoxing techniques can be utilized to further improve health.

If you have been identified as having diabetes, determining your glucose levels is of primary importance within preventing or delaying complications. You must also control high blood pressure and lower high cholesterol as well as triglyceride amounts. In addition, you should seek alternative professional care for detecting problems in eyes, heart, lymphatic system, and feet. Laser eye therapy can reduce the development of serious vision problems by more than 50%. Proper foot care can reduce amputation rates by 44-85%. In addition, the early detection and treatment of kidney disease can reduce the likelihood of kidney failure from 30-70%. The following homeopathic methods are essential for maintaining proper health.

Aromatherapy: The essential natural oils of cedar, olive or juniper can help relieve symptoms when massaged into the lower left part of the body, where the spleen and pancreas are located.

Ayurveda Medicine: The Ayurveda approach to managing diabetes includes diet modification, including the removal of sugar, simple carbohydrates, along with a reduction of fats and general protein intake. This helps one to avoid renal system damage. Exercise, herbal medicine, and cleansing programs are the key factors used in the Ayurveda approach. One Ayurveda method is called pancha karma, which involves herbal massages and herbal vapor saunas followed by fasting in order to cleanse your body. Sometimes herbal enemas or colonics are also employed. Cleaning programs are especially helpful whenever diabetes is available because of an autoimmune disease, which produces auto-antibodies which attack the pancreas.

The herb Gymnema sylvestre is widely used by Ayurveda physicians to encourage the pancreas to produce insulin and to also block sugar absorption in the stomach. Other useful Ayurveda herbs include bitter melons and neem, both of which reduce blood sugar, stimulate the pancreas, and behave as a liver tonic that can help prevent the development of gall stones, a common symptom of many Type II diabetic patients.

Chelation Therapy: Chelation therapy is often very helpful for stopping complications brought on by diabetes. According to Garry F. Gordon, M.D., D.O., co-creator of the United States College of Advancement in Medicine and developer of the modern-day chelation protocol, the advantages of EDTA chelation therapy include fewer instances of blindness and renal system dialysis, along with a smaller quantity of amputations and other complications. Deferoxamine chelation therapy has also been proven effective with regard to reducing adult diabetes. Deferoxamine is a chelation agent which effectively removes excess iron out of the bloodstream. Recent studies have shown that women with high levels of iron triple their risk of diabetes.

Diet: Proper diet is critical for preventing and treating diabetes, especially Type II diabetic issues. One of the most important dietary safeguards you can consider is to eliminate all processed sugars and sugar products from your diet plan. Such items include processed sugar, corn syrup, cornstarch, dextrose, dextrin, fructose, juice concentrates, glucose, lactose, malt, maltodextrin, maltose, mannitol, sorbitol, sorghum, sucrose, and xylitol. honey, maple syrup, agaves or chicory syrup must also be removed if you are pre-diabetic or diabetic. Also reduce or eliminate your intake of alcohol as well as caffeine. Remove fast food, processed foods, prepared “junk” foods, soda, fried foods, and all items containing white flour. Select quality protein snacks in between meals, or soaked nut products, and more vegetables and fruit juices as snack choices.

To help the body better control blood glucose amounts, lower your overall carbohydrate intake, replacing simple carbs with complicated carbohydrate meals. This means use whole flours and whole grains, beans, dried beans, and fresh fiber-rich veggies, rather than selecting processed foods. Eating five to six little meals each day, instead of the traditional three larger meals, can also help balance blood sugar levels and prevent excessively high insulin spikes after eating. In addition, a vegetarian diet plan high in natural vegetables and complex whole grains, along with small intakes of whole fruit that contains seeds or pits, rather than fruit juice, has also been discovered to be helpful for many people suffering from Type II diabetic issues. Jerusalem artichoke is another food that can help diabetics control blood sugar levels. A diet full of healthy fats, such as avocados, nuts, seed products, extra virgin olive oil, uncooked virgin coconut butter as well as high lignin flax seed essential oil also aids in maintaining level and steady blood sugar levels.

Many Type II diabetes sufferers do well on a diet that contain 55-60% complex carbohydrates, 15-20% protein (with a minimum of 45 gr of protein per day), and 20-25% healthy fats. Additionally, you should increase your fiber consumption to a daily level of 40-50grams of fiber, with 10-15 gr of soluble fiber. High-fiber meals like coffee beans and whole grain products can be added slowly, perhaps at a rate of one serving per week, along with a rise in your consumption of pure, strained water.

Consume According to the Glycemic Index: Eating foods that have an appropriate impact on insulin levels can be especially important for people with diabetes. The scientific program of dimension known as the glycemic index, created by researchers at the College of Greater Toronto, is specifically for this purpose. Foods that have a high glycemic rating create the highest spikes in insulin levels, while meals with a low glycemic index are more appropriate for diabetics because they do not create significant effect on insulin levels. By consuming meals that contain an abundance of reduced-glycemic foods, you are able to significant improve your body’s ability to maintain reduced insulin and blood sugar levels.

Low-glycemic foods include raw, organic leafy vegetables, fruits which contain seeds or pits, sweet potatoes, yams, organic whole grains and whole grain breads, the majority of legumes and nuts, natural yogurt, buttermilk, chicken, many types of fish, and lean cuts of beef, bison, or lamb. In general, cooked foods possess a higher glycemic rating than raw foods.

Foods with a high-glycemic rating include white breads, bagels, English muffins, commercially packed cereals, cookies, pastries, most desserts, raisins, dried fruits, white potatoes, whole milk and cheeses (both of which are high in lactose, a type of sugar), peanuts, peanut butter, and all prepared flesh foods such as hotdogs and luncheon meats. Such foods should be avoided completely.

Avoid Meals You Are Allergic To: Food allergies and sensitivities can exacerbate diabetic issues by causing inflammation. They can additionally destroy insulin-producing cells within the pancreas due to autoimmune reactions. The most common foods that bring about allergies for diabetics are wheat, chocolate, corn, whole milk and milk products. Any food you are allergic to has the potential to aggravate a diabetic condition. In addition, it is important to note that any foods can be an allergen. Therefore, if you are experiencing the warning signs of diabetic issues you should be tested for food allergies. Reliable allergy screening options include NAET, Kinesiology, Live Blood Cell Analysis, and Electrodermal Testing using computer-based technology provided by the Bio Meridian, Computron and others. They are all excellent, non-invasive options that offer direct accurate assessment and can be repeated at the appropriate interval without having to do traditional blood testing.

Leading allergy professional William H. Philpott, M.D., of Choctaw, Oklahoma, has observed firsthand the effects of food allergies on Type ll diabetes sufferers by studying blood sugar responses before and after eating test foods. One of the most common responses of Type II diabetes sufferers when they ate offending meals was inflammation of the cells. Dr. Philpott found that, when the offending meal was removed from a person`s diet, the diabetic reaction vanished. Treatment involves a four-day rotation diet that avoids the offending food for 3 months. The food is then gradually reintroduced into the diet. If further negative responses occur, nevertheless, the offending food should be eliminated from your diet altogether.

Energy Medicine: Dan Dunphy, PAC, has achieved positive results in reversing both Type I and Type 2 diabetes in many cases by using electro dermal screening, which allows him to detect hidden microorganisms and interfering power blockages which other types of diagnostic assessments are not capable of finding. As soon as these hidden, underlying causes are detected, other natural therapies can be employed to help sufferers recover.

Physical exercise and Stress Reduction: Regular exercise should be a part of every diabetic’s daily regimen. Exercise in conjunction with a weight loss program has been proven by the National Institutes of Health to reduce chances of building diabetes by 58% among people who are at risk for the condition. That is almost double the rate of risk reduction achieved by people who take oral medications for their diabetic symptoms.

Exercise is extremely ideal for diabetes because it mimics the proper function of blood insulin to open muscle cells to allow glucose to go in. Light exercise may include walking, swimming, riding a bicycle, or any other of your favorite daily activities which increase the heart rate, and encourage sweating, not only to help control weight, but also to help provide oxygen for the tissues and to lower and stabilize blood sugar levels.

Caution: Should you require blood insulin injections to handle your diabetic issues, be aware that working out too strenuously can cause blood sugar to quickly drop to dangerously lower levels, resulting in hypoglycemia. To prevent or even counteract this type of reaction, eat a fast-absorbing carbohydrate snack or drink a glass of orange juice.

Herbal Medicine: Many herbs have blood sugar regulating qualities and are consequently helpful in the management of glucose levels as well as non-insulin-dependent diabetic issues. Herbs which have been traditionally used include the Ayurveda herb gymnesyl (Gymnema sylvestre), fenugreek seeds, huereque (based on the root of a Mexican prickly pear), bilberry, bitter melon, garlic, Jerusalem artichoke, mulberry leaves, olive leaves, and ginseng. Heart as well as vascular herbal medications made from hawthorn berry as well as ginkgo biloba can also be useful. Note: When taking herbal treatments that lower blood sugar, you should monitor blood sugar and urine closely. Seek advice from a skilled specialist who can guide you in using herbs in addition to a comprehensive diabetic management strategy.

According to Dan Dunphy, the huerque cactus can significantly help to lower blood sugar levels. So much so, that the majority of their insulin-dependent Type II diabetes patients were eventually able to discontinue taking insulin after they started supplementing with huerque. Dunphy factors out, however, that after six months most patients` start to develop a tolerance to huerque, which decreases its usefulness. He recommends that sufferers stop utilizing huerque for a month so the tolerance can wear off, and then start taking huerque again, repeating the month off procedure every 4-6 months from that point on. For better results, he recommends during the 30 days off period, patients substitute their huerque use with nopal, another cactus-derived plant that also effectively decreases blood sugar levels. Both huerque and nopal prickly pear in health supplement form can be ordered from the internet.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the process of using water, ice, steam and alternating between cold and hot temperatures to maintain and recover health. Remedies include full body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation as well as the application of warm and/or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating an array of conditions and can easily be utilized in the home as part of a self-treatment program. Numerous Naturopathic Physicians, Physical Therapists as well as day spas use Hydrotherapy as part of their treatment. We recommend several at-home hydrotherapy treatments. Please seek the advice of an alternative healthcare practitioner before undergoing these types of procedures to make sure they are appropriate for you.

-Purified water is essential for any hydrotherapy treatment. Remedies involving purifying water offer clear recommendations and instructions.

Liquid Therapy: Helpful juice combinations for stabilizing blood sugar levels include a wide variety of vegetables. The combination of celery, cucumber, parsley, and watercress is excellent. Try the following: celery, parsley and spinach; romaine lettuce, spinach and two carrots; cucumber, celery as well as chard. Drink a cup of any of the above combinations once or twice each day. Enjoy as a mid-day snack or with a handful of almonds. (See the recipe area for additional fresh juice and snack suggestions.)

Supplements: Important supplements for managing glucose and insulin levels include vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, and vitamin E, along with the minerals magnesium, chromium, and zinc. Also useful is vitamin B6, biotin, potassium, essential fatty acids, flaxseed oil, vanadium, and vanadyl sulfate, an essential trace element with properties which mimic insulin. Other helpful supplements include alpha-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), amino acid complex, digestive enzymes such as protease, amylase, and lipase, as well as pancreatic nutrients.

Stabilized grain is yet another supplement that has recently demonstrated an ability to provide significant benefits for managing diabetes because of its ability to reduce and control blood sugar levels.

Note: While you should increase your dietary sources of nutrients, it is not always possible to do so. Older diabetes sufferers and diabetics who have problems with assimilation of nutrients should consult a physician about taking minerals and trace components by intravenous infusion or transdermal (absorbed by the skin) delivery.

Oxygen Therapy: The red blood cells in a diabetics blood have a decreased capacity to release oxygen because the vital delivery molecule diphosphoglycerate is in short supply. The diphosphoglycerate particle plays a vital role in stimulating red blood tissue so that they correctly deliver oxygen to the body`s cells, organs, and tissues. Insufficient amounts inhibit the body`s capability to deliver enough oxygen to the areas where it’s needed. Because many diabetic health problems, especially gangrene and other infections, result from oxygen depletion in body tissues, it is advisable to deliver air to those exhausted tissues. Professionals using air therapy along with ozone (a far more reactive type of oxygen) have experienced remarkable enhancements, including rise in diphosphoglycerate, in both main and secondary problems related to Type 2 diabetes.

Peroxide therapy may also be helpful for Type II diabetics. The late Charles Farr, M.D., a leading expert in the use of peroxide therapy, achieved many positive outcomes with Type II diabetes sufferers by administering intravenous solutions of peroxide. Dr. Farr reported his best results were accomplished with patients who had never been treated with insulin therapy or any form of diabetes drug, in which case he was frequently able to completely reverse their condition.

Another benefit of oxygen therapy is the enhanced quantity of energy transport molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which maintains cell membrane integrity and is essential for creating energy at the cellular level.

Stress Reduction: Because the effects of persistent stress result in elevated glucose levels, you need to incorporate relaxation and rejuvenation methods into your everyday routine. Some of the mind/body methods that are helpful for diabetics are yoga, deep breathing, guided imagery, and psychophysiological feedback training. Receiving massages and/or bodywork can also be helpful. Attempt different methods, evaluate the final results with professionals, and pick the approaches that work best for you.

Topical Ointment Treatment: To enhance your body`s circulation perform a dry clean massage every day. Doing so might help glucose move from your blood stream into the cells, where it is used as an energy source.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Facets of TCM which have been found useful when treating diabetes include and a mix of herbs. The actual TCM strategy is most effective for intermediate Type II diabetes and Type I diabetes. TCM is also effective for slowing down the process of neuropathy as well as improving blood circulation problems. Acupuncture treatments centered on the spleen/pancreas can reduce the autoimmune response, as well. In addition, acupuncture can also help to enhance overall performance of the endocrine system, therefore helping to avoid or change symptoms of diabetes that are irritated by hormone imbalances.

Chinese herbs can also help ease diabetic symptoms. Among the most helpful herbs for this purpose are astragals, rehmannia, as well as wild yam.

Alternative Professional Care

The following therapies can also be useful for testing or treating diabetes: Biofeedback Training, Neurotherapy, Bio-Energetic testing, Detoxification Therapy, Led Imagery, Permanent Magnetic Field Therapy, Massage Therapy, Mind/Body Therapies, Osteopathic Medicine, Reflexology, Qigong, Tai Chi, and Yoga. (See Resources for additional information regarding these and other Alternative Treatments)