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DIABETES MELLITUS
Reprinted with permission from the book/program HEALTH REFERENCE
DEFINITION: Diabetes mellitus is a small artery disease and disease of the pancreas, which is characterized by frequent urination and insufficient insulin secretion. The results are a decrease in the ability of the body to use carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Sometimes it can strike the kidneys and cause them to fail. A symptom which cannot be ignored is when protein leaks into the urine. Strict adherence to diet (blood sugar levels) can arrest the situation. High blood pressure also contributes to the problems which diabetes brings to the kidneys and must be controlled. Diabetics are at high risk for eye problems because it attacks blood vessels that provide nourishment to the retina. Blindness, cataracts, glaucoma can all develop. (JKL Health Reference Guide)
CAUSE: Diabetes Mellitus is generally caused by a "malfunction" of the pancreas. The pancreas manufactures a hormone (Insulin) which controls blood sugar (glucose). Due to this "malfunction" the body cannot use it's primary source of energy (glucose) causing the levels in the blood to become very high. At the same time the amount of glucose in body tissues is very low.
It has been found that hypothyroidism may also be a primary cause of diabetes and that neuropathies and other complications often disappear when thyroid hormone is taken.
RISK FACTORS: Diabetes is typically associated with a diet that is high in processed foods and low in natural plant products / fiber. As time progresses there is an increase in the risk of atherosclerosis, kidney disease, loss of nerve functioning and blindness … it also makes the sufferer susceptible to infections.
Type II (maturity onset) diabetes often occurs in people with a family history of the disease. The pancreas usually manufactures Insulin which is not effective.
SYMPTOMS: Some of the symptoms for diabetes mellitus may be include: Increased facial hair, itching, flu like symptoms, blurred vision, increased thirst, loss of leg hair, skin infections, drowsiness, numbness or tingling in the feet, small yellow bumps on the body, inflammation of the penis.
DETERMINING TYPE II DIABETES: People with type II diabetes often have an abnormal increase in their perception of taste to sweets. The following test may be used to identify if a person is diabetic … 1) Do not eat or drink any stimulants like sugar, tea, coffee, etcetera for one hour. 2) Pour into seven glasses, eight ounces of water and put the following labels on the glasses … 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1 1/2 teaspoon, 2 teaspoons and 3 teaspoons. 3) Add the amounts of sugar labeled to each glass and obscure the labels. 4) Using a straw, take a taste from every glass and note on a piece of paper the amount of sugar you think is in the glass. Note, between each sample wash your mouth out with unsweetened water. RESULTS: Diabetics generally do not notice a sweet taste until 1.5 - 2 teaspoons have been added to the water.
DIET: To reduce the need for Insulin, a diet should be initiated which is high in vegetables, fruits and vegetable juices. Foods which tend to stabilize the blood glucose levels include: berries, cheese, egg yolks, fish, garlic, kelp, sauerkraut , soybeans and spirulina.
Avoid consuming salt or white flour items because they tend to elevate blood glucose levels. Also, stay away from anything that may limit blood flow (especially to hands and feet) because poor circulation typically causes diabetic foot ulcers to develop (do not wear tight fitting shoes or stockings).
Avoid eating salt because it contributes to high blood sugar levels.
A low protein diet is recommended to prevent diabetic nephropathy which is common in diabetics and is a typical cause for death is diabetics.
SUPPLEMENTS:
1) Coenzyme Q10 should be considered due to the fact that plays an important role in the production of cellular energy and is a first class antioxidant.
2) Ginseng is beneficial because it decreases the level of cortisol in the blood (cortisol is a hormone which interferes with the function of insulin).
3) Aspirin: Diabetes is often described as a "vascular disease" and aspirin has been proven to circumvent cardiovascular complications. Remember that aspirin can cause stomach irritation and bleeding … speak to your doctor about the use of enteric coated or buffered aspirin and remember that you must not treat yourself.
4) Chromium Picolinate: Helps to increase the effectiveness of Insulin at controlling blood sugar levels. Chromium must be combined with picolinate for the body to use it. Note that most people with diabetes will have a decrease in blood sugar levels following the taking of these supplements on a daily basis. As an added bonus, chromium picolinate is useful in the fight against obesity due to the increased insulin usage allows the body to use fat as fuel. For those interested in using chromium picolinate, check with a health care provider who is oriented towards nutrition and make sure to consistently monitor your blood sugar levels.
TOBACCO: Avoid tobacco products because they are known to constrict blood vessels.
EYES: People with diabetes are recommended to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist yearly for examinations of the retina because one out of 15 sufferers develop retinopathy. In fact, diabetes is a major cause of blindness in America.
EXERCISE: Those with diabetes should exercise due to the insulin like effect that it has on the body.
GLUCOWATCH: A wrist watch like device used to monitor blood sugar levels. It is designed to supplement but not totally replace finger-prick tests. The device works by sending electical impulses through the skin and trigger an alarm if the blood sugar levels reach dangerous levels ... one of a diabetics major fears is that (s)he will fall into a diabetic coma during sleep from decreasing sugar levels.