Take Control of Your Blood
Sugar
*If you have diabetes, a healthy diet and lifestyle plus supplements and
herbs can make significant changes in your health.
*A diet high in complex carbohydrates and fiber has been show to promote blood
sugar control.
*Be sure to supplement with key nutrients such as vitamin C, flavonoids and
chromium.
*Botanical agents such as green tea and other botanicals may improve your
health.
Take Control of Your Blood Sugar
Diabetes - technically diabetes mellitus -- is a chronic disease characterized
by varying degrees of impairment in the body’s ability to move glucose (sugar)
out of the blood into the cells, where it is needed as fuel. Nearly 16 million
people -- one of every 17 people -- in the United States have diabetes, and
approximately 2,150 new cases are diagnosed each day.
Diabetes defined:
Type 1 diabetes, also called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM),
develops when the beta cells of the pancreas (the cells that produce insulin)
are destroyed, usually in childhood. Although the exact cause of this
destruction is unknown, current theory suggests a hereditary susceptibility to
beta cell injury from free radicals, viral infection and/or autoimmune reactions
(for example, to bovine albumin peptide, a protein in cow’s milk that can
trigger the autoimmune process). Since insulin is the hormone that ushers
glucose from the blood into the cells, type 1 diabetics, who can no longer
produce insulin, must rely on insulin injections both to prevent a buildup of
excess glucose in the bloodstream and to provide needed fuel for cellular
activities. Only 10 percent of diabetics are type 1.
In type 2 diabetes, also called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM),
the pancreas produces plenty of insulin, but the cells of the body ignore it, so
blood levels of both insulin and glucose are abnormally elevated. Obesity -
weighing 20 percent or more above the recommended weight for your height and
build -- is the single most important cause of insulin resistance, which, if
uncorrected, progresses to NIDDM. Approximately 90 percent of individuals with
type 2 diabetes are obese. In most cases, a diet and exercise program that
restores ideal body weight while increasing muscle mass also restores normal
sensitivity to insulin and blood sugar control to
type 2 diabetics.
The HCB diet
Although debate continues about the best diet for diabetics, clinical trials
using the HCB (high- complex-carbohydrate, high-fiber) diet have consistently
demonstrated significantly better outcomes. HCB has proven better than oral
hypoglycemic agents, insulin (when dose needed is less than 30 units per day),
and other diets (carbohydrate restriction, high protein and the American
Diabetes Association diet, which is high protein, cholesterol and fat).
Developed by James Anderson, M.D., the HCB diet is high in unrefined cereal
grains, legumes and root vegetables, and low in simple sugars and fats. Soluble
fiber promotes blood sugar control by slowing down digestion and absorption of
carbohydrates, increasing sensitivity to insulin and improving glucose uptake.
About 60 percent of type 2 diabetics on the HCB diet no longer need any insulin,
and the other 40 percent can significantly reduce their dosage. In addition, the
HCB diet is protective against both cardiovascular and kidney disease, the two
most common causes of death in diabetics. (More information on the HCB Diet:
Anderson's HCB Diet: The New High-Fiber Low-Cholesterol Way
to Keep Slim and Healthy, Anderson, J. Available from HCB Diabetes Foundation,
Box 22124, Lexington, KY 40522)
Nutritional supplements for diabetics:
Diabetics, who typically excrete excessive amounts of water-soluble nutrients in
their urine, have a greatly increased need for many nutrients. In numerous
clinical trials of diabetics, supplementation with key nutrients has been shown
to improve blood sugar control and to prevent or ameliorate many diabetic
complications.
Chromium
GTF decreases fasting blood glucose levels, improves glucose tolerance,
lowers insulin levels, decreases total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and
increases good HDL cholesterol levels. Refined sugar, white flour and lack of
exercise deplete chromium. Dosage: 200 mcg. daily of chromium. Start with lower
dosages if you are taking insulin; chromium can cause a sudden drop in blood
sugar levels.
Vitamin
B-3 (niacinamide) is an essential component of glucose tolerance
factor. In recently diagnosed IDDM, niacinamide inhibits further beta cell
damage, improves beta cell function and lowers or eliminates insulin
requirements. Daily dose is based on body weight: 25 mg. per kg.
Vitamin C
is transported into cells by insulin, so many diabetics lack adequate
intracellular vitamin C. This deficiency causes an increased tendency to bleed,
poor wound healing, vascular disease, elevated cholesterol and depressed immune
function. Vitamin C supplementation at 2,000 mg. per day.
Flavonoids promote insulin secretion, inhibit sorbitol accumulation and increase
intracellular vitamin C levels. Dosage: 1-2 g. daily mixed flavonoids or a
flavonoid-rich extract such as
Bilberry or
Grapine.
Biotin [Available in
B-Complex
] enhances insulin sensitivity and increases the activity of glucokinase, a
liver enzyme responsible for the first step in glucose utilization. In studies
of both type 1 and 2 diabetics, fasting blood sugar levels and glucose control
has been significantly improved at doses ranging from 9 to 16 mg. of biotin per
day. If using more than 8 mg. per day, diabetics must work with their physician
to adjust insulin requirements as needed.
Vitamin
B-6 (pyridoxine) inhibits glycosylation of proteins and offers
significant protection against one of diabetes most frequent complications,
neuropathies, including loss of peripheral nerve function, tingling sensations,
numbness, muscle weakness, impaired heart function, impaired bowel and bladder
function, and impotence. Dosage: 50 mg. three times daily.
Vitamin E
in high doses (800-1200 IU daily) inhibits glycosylation and
reduces oxidative stress, thus optimizing cell membrane function. Insulin
action, glucose tolerance, transport and metabolism are all significantly
improved.
Magnesium
deficiency is common in diabetics and is associated with retinopathy and
heart disease. Dosage: 250 mg. two to three times daily.
Manganese [Herbs rich in manganese are:
Alfalfa,
Burdock,
Catnip,
Chamomile,
Chickweed,
Dandelion,
Eyebright,
Eleuthero,
Hops,
Horsetail,
Mullein,
Parsley,
Peppermint,
Raspberry,
Red clover,
Rose hips,
Wild yam,
Yarrow and
Yellow dock],
a cofactor in many blood sugar control enzyme systems, is also commonly
deficient in diabetics.
Copper deficiency causes impaired glucose tolerance and increased glycosylation.
The typical American diet contains only half the RDA of 2 mg. daily for copper.
Found in Liquid Chlorophyll
(not capsules).
Zinc is
involved in insulin synthesis, secretion and utilization, protects against beta
cell destruction and improves wound healing. Dosage: 30 mg. daily.
Essential fatty acids help prevent diabetic complications.
Super Omega-3
and Flaxseed oil protect against hardening of the arteries and enhance
insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes. Gamma-linolenic acid found in
Super GLA
offers significant protection against diabetic neuropathy. Take 1 tbs. of
Flaxseed oil
and 480 mg. of GLA daily.
Botanical agents for diabetics:
Golden Seal
has been found to potentiate insulin and have a hypoglycemic
effect which is beneficial for diabetics.
Sugar-Reg contains Fenugreek Seed: Insulin-dependent diabetics given a 50 g. dose
of defatted fenugreek seed powder twice daily experienced significant reduction
in fasting blood sugar levels and improved glucose tolerance test results. In
addition to marked reductions in cholesterol and triglyceride levels, their
24-hour glucose excretion dropped 54 percent. In non-insulin-dependent
diabetics, an after-meal dose of 15 g. powdered fenugreek seed soaked in water
significantly reduced after-meal glucose levels.
Green tea:
Epicatechin, a flavonoid highly concentrated in green tea, has been shown to not
only prevent beta cell damage in rats but also to regenerate functional beta
cells in diabetic animals. Dosage: 2 cups green tea or 300 mg. green tea extract
daily.
Garcinia
Combination: When an extract of the leaves of this Indian herb was given
to type I diabetics, insulin requirements and fasting blood sugar levels dropped
and blood sugar control improved. In type 2 diabetics given gymnema extract
along with their oral hypoglycemic agents, blood sugar control improved
significantly in all subjects. One-quarter of the study participants were able
to discontinue their medication and maintain blood sugar control with gymnema
extract alone. Dosage: 400 mg. gymnema extract per day.
[NSP has combinations beneficial to diabetics:
Pro Pancreas
is an herbal combination which improves the functioning of the pancreas, and
lowers blood sugar.
Normal Blood
Sugar Formula , helps strengthen pancreatic function, improves glucose
metabolism and increases insulin sensitivity.]
Go to my personal
NATURE'S SUNSHINE site for your Personal "Health Analysis".
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Contact: Karen Olerich, Herb Specialist and Natural Health Consultant
Phone: (719) 495-4930
E-mail:
Karen
