Tips for Diabetics

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Tips for Diabetics JoAnn Guest

Jul 05, 2004 18:35 PDT

 

Tips for Diabetics

 

by Alan Tillotson, Ph.D., D.Ay., AHG

http://www.oneearthherbs.com/TipsForDiabetics.htm

 

From Dr. Tillotson's upcoming book, The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook,

due out from Kensington Publishers.

 

Diabetes is a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by

inadequate production or utilization of insulin, the hormone

secreted by beta cells in the pancreas. Type I diabetes (Insulin-

dependent diabetes mellitus or

IDDM) is also called juvenile diabetes, as it appears most often in

children under the age of 15. It is an autoimmune disease that

affects about 10% of the diabetic population.

 

The more prevalent Type II diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes

mellitus or NIDDM), is also called adult-onset diabetes, as it

appears most frequently in adults over the age of 20. The age-

related terms are becoming outdated, however, because NIDDM is now

showing up in increasing numbers in children, and IDDM is appearing

more frequently in adults.

It is very important to differentiate between the two types,

partly because the dietary and nutrient requirements vary in some

important ways.

 

Major symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, fatigue and

frequent urination. The long-term health problems that can result

from diabetes are mostly vascular.

 

Fluctuations in blood sugar shock the mural cells in tiny

capillaries, gradually weakening and narrowing them.

 

 

Most diabetic problems result from this breakdown in the vascular

system. The resultant damage is usually much more severe in patients

with poor blood sugar control and/or poor " nutritional status " .

 

Through a process called glycosylation, excess sugar attaches to the

hemoglobin in your red blood cells and makes it more difficult for

them to deliver necessary oxygen to your tissues.

 

When there is a lack of insulin, the body burns fat instead of

sugar, causing an " increase " in " toxic acids " called " ketones " .

 

Diabetics who do not have the necessary discipline to take proper

care of their health risk blindness, kidney failure, burning nerve

pain and early death.

 

Because of the horrific cost of poorly managed diabetes, and because

it is so easy to avoid or slow the onset of problems with simple

lifestyle and diet changes, specific programs designed to increase

patient

awareness and compliance are now rapidly being developed by the

insurance health care industry.

 

It is possible to live a long and healthy life with diabetes. As I

mentioned in our introduction, I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes

(IDDM) in 1961 at the age of 11.

 

Now, almost 40 years later, I have not suffered any major

diabetes-related health problems. I have been able to accomplish

this through strict discipline, by adhering pretty much to every

guideline explained in the following chapters.

 

The herbs I take vary according to signs and symptoms.

 

I would like to emphasize here the importance of listening to your

body.

As a child, when I found out I was diabetic I went to the library

and read everything I could.

 

The books available at that time told me I had no options, and that

gradual deterioration would inevitably lead to severe complications.

I was terrified. I decided to do everything I could to stay healthy.

 

I began by cutting out all dietary sugars except fruit. I spent the

next ten years learning, through trial and error, how to manage my

disease.

 

For example, I figured out by 1965 that eating blueberries made me

feel good, as did exercising daily.

 

When my early doctors gave me insulin, I followed their

instructions to the letter and assumed I couldn't change

the dose. I remember one particular day when my sugar level was very

high. I called my doctor, who told me I could change my dose by two

units. I did just that, and immediately felt better. From that

moment on, I took on the responsibility of adjusting my own insulin

as needed.

 

Back when the early blood sugar monitors first came out, before they

were available in drug stores, I stood in line to get one at a

medical supply outlet. I began to adjust my medicines and foods to

keep my sugars on an even keel.

 

Remember, this all occurred decades before researchers demonstrated

the importance of exercise and good blood sugar control, and the

benefits of flavonoids in blueberries.

 

I did these things because instinctively, I " knew " they made me feel

better. I listened to my body.

 

You can do the same.

 

In spite of my efforts, by the time I reached my early 20's, I began

to exhibit early signs of diabetic problems. My skin tone was pale

and I had some stiffness in my joints. My sugar levels would

sometimes fluctuate way too much.

 

When I was 26 I met Dr. Mana, my Ayurvedic teacher, in Kathmandu,

Nepal. He started me on herbal medications, and this put me on the

road to " true control " of my disease.

 

The following steps are crucial to gaining complete control of your

disease:

 

Thoroughly understand the disease and its relationship to your whole

person.

Learn how to manage the disease properly, which will help you detect

and treat any problems that may arise while they are still small

 

Adopt the necessary nutrition and lifestyle habits, and incorporate

herbal supplements that can prevent or repair problems

 

Understanding Your Type

 

Type I

 

The pancreas contains groups of beta cells called islets that

secrete insulin. Type I diabetes (IDDM) mellitus results from a

progressive destruction of these insulin-secreting beta cells by T

lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.

This destruction may be triggered by errors in the production of the

insulin molecule, or perhaps by viral invasion.

 

These errors stimulate the white blood cells (T cells and

macrophages) to attack and destroy the beta cells producing the

insulin. Type I diabetics always need insulin, and must maintain

excellent control of their insulin levels to avoid serious health

problems.

 

Type I diabetics often require a diet higher in protein, vegetables

and healthy fats, which restricts sugars and grain carbohydrates

like wheat and corn.

 

This type of diet alone will lower blood sugar, reduce craving

for sweets, and lower levels of glycosylated hemoglobin.

 

However, each patient's nutritional requirements are unique due to

our biochemical individuality.

 

Some do better on the HCF (high carbohydrate and fiber) diet usually

recommended for Type II diabetics. The HCF diet is high in

cereal grains, legumes and root vegetables, and restricts intake of

fats and simple sugars.

 

Because many studies do not " distinguish " between " high and

low " 'quality' fats, it is difficult to interpret the scientific

data.

 

This diet will not work if the fats consumed are of " low quality " or

" excessive " in amount.

 

Type II

 

Type II diabetes, the more common form, is characterized by onset at

a later age, and is often associated with obesity and poor diet.

 

The average American consumes nine percent of his or her daily diet

in the form of simple sugars, resulting in a significant reduction

in nutrient and mineral intake.

This nutritional decline is exacerbated by a modern trend of

decreased nutritional value in ordinary foods.

 

The high levels of dietary sugar stresses the pancreas and the liver

and overall sugar regulation.

 

This may result in depletion of insulin supplies, or cells may

become resistant to the insulin.

 

The incidence of Type II diabetes is much

" higher " in countries where the general population follows

the " standard American diet " (the " SAD diet " ).

 

Native populations such as American Indians and aborigines who

abandon their traditional diets develop the disease much more

frequently than populations that maintain their native diets

(reported by Bergner,

1997).

 

Insulin resistance is a major concern for Type II diabetics. The

body produces enough insulin, but for some reason the cells resist

using it.

 

Blood sugar control worsens as abnormal fat stores increase and

obesity increases insulin resistance. Therefore, weight loss is

often all that is needed for Type II diabetics to reduce their

medicine requirements.

 

Some successful patients can even come off their prescription

medications altogether.

--

Essential fatty acids are also good for this problem.

 

Prescriptions are not a substitute for healthy living.

 

Various prescription pills for NIDDM can " wear off " and stop working

after a few years as the body builds a tolerance.

 

This phenomenon has been known to occur in up to 40% of patients.

You must learn to identify and utilize lifestyle alternatives.

 

For example, it appears that garlic bulb (2 cloves per day) and

onion (1 medium bulb per day) can lower blood sugar by about the

same amount as prescription medicines in some patients

(Tjokroprawiro et al., 1983,

Sheela et al., 1995, reported in Duke, 1997).

 

Type II diabetics sometimes do well on the HCF diet, which is high

in cereal grains, legumes and root vegetables, with restrictions on

fats and simple sugars. Conversely, some patients do better on the

higher protein diet usually recommended for Type I diabetics.

 

As I stated earlier, each person's nutritional requirements are

unique, so it is necessary to listen to your body to manage your

diet and your disease successfully.

---

-

Ayurvedic Understanding of Diabetes

 

Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine (TAM) doctors were perhaps the first

to classify diabetes as a separate disease,

calling it " madhumeha " , which means " honey-like urine. "

 

They noticed that patients with this malady had ants attracted to

their urine.

 

There were two distinct types of diabetes in Ayurveda since

ancient times.

We discussed earlier the Ayurvedic body types, and in this disease,

the Vata or nerve-natured person is more likely to get type 1

diabetes.

The obese person with strong appetite (Pitta-Kapha type) is more

likely to get type 2 diabetes.

 

Although Ayurveda had no idea of insulin, it is certainly clear they

understood long ago that the thin and wasting physical condition of

typical of young diabetics was related to digestive problems and

presence of sugar in the urine.

 

As they described it, the nerve-natured person is by nature thinner,

restless and had a weaker digestive system, which accounted for

their generally low weight.

 

At the same time, the highly restless nature often displayed a

craving for sweets.

 

Putting high levels of sugars into a weak digestive system

created dryness and heat, and favored promotion of toxic gasses

(Vata dosha).

 

This in turn " weakened " the major digestive organ

called " agnyasaya " ,

Sanskrit for " pancreas " (Bajracharya, 1988).

 

As Ayurvedic physicians began to have access to modern physiological

teachings, theybegan to relate these ideas to type one diabetes and

hypoglycemia.

 

They discribed another scenario with regards to type two diabetes.

When someone is obese and has strong digestive energy (Pitta-Kapha

personality), constantly eating heavy and/or sugary foods, the

pancreas can become over-active.

 

There is an increase in bile flow to the intestine to digest the

fats, and weight gain ensues.

 

In this condition, secretions are increased, and the mucous

membranes and arteries are " working overtime. " These increased

secretions cause blockages in the vessels and ducts, as well as

obesity.

 

The secretions and blockages irritate the nervous system and change

the physical properties of the blood.

 

The altered sugars (called " greaseless sugar " ) cannot be absorbed,

so they exit through the urinary system as honey-urine (Bajracharya,

1988).

 

 

Although Ayurveda has no concept of " insulin resistance, " it is

obvious they were describing type two diabetes in another way.

Because we now know the duct and membrane blockages tends to slow

blood flow and metabolism, that " excess fats " change " cell receptor "

sites, and high levels of sugars

stimulate insulin release, it is easy to speculate that the physical

conditions described in the traditional literature could by

causative of insulin resistance.

 

This would also make it more clear why Type 2 diabetes often recedes

or disappears when patients lose weight.

 

Adding their understanding to modern understanding, we see that type

two diabetes is a disease of obesity and insulin resistance (Western

understanding) and poor fat digestion and resultant excess mucus

exudation and duct blockage (Eastern understanding). This broadens

our therapeutic options.

 

Management - Lifestyle Rules for Both Diabetic Types

 

Regular daily exercise is essential for diabetics. A sedentary

period will elevate your blood sugars within half a day. A few hours

of exercise will bring sugars down.

 

Regular (and frequent) exercise is helpful for burning fat and

improving cardiovascular health.

 

This consequently improves circulation and metabolism, which will

help your body fight off other diabetes-related symptoms.

 

In one study that followed a group of nurses for eight years, the

ones who exercised the most had a 54% lower incidence of diabetes

than the sedentary subjects (Christensen, 1999). Diabetics must keep

moving.

 

One of the Ayurvedic treatments for diabetes is to walk 2-3 hours

per day while taking " shilajatu " and " garlic " pills, and following a

careful diet.

 

The appropriate amount of insulin is the one that causes the least

fluctuation in your blood sugar levels, and keeps you at a healthy

weight.

 

 

Check your blood sugars several times per day, and act accordingly.

If your sugars are above 150, it is a good idea to delay meals.

Otherwise, food will cause them to rise above 200, leading to the

production of " toxic ketones " .

 

Other strategies that will help

stabilize sugar levels include increasing exercise on the spot, or

reducing food intake on your next meal. Consciously figure out how

to keep your levels from getting too high.

 

Relaxation and stress reduction techniques have also been shown to

reduce insulin needs in some patients. Learn T'ai Chi, meditation or

Yoga.

 

Studies have shown that such stress reduction tactics can reduce

medication need and reduce sugar levels (McGrady and Horner, 1999,

Jain et al., 1993).

 

Check your glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbA1c) every 3-4 months, to

find out how well you are controlling your blood sugars. This test

requires a doctor's prescription.

 

Get a yearly eye examination by a good ophthalmologist. Diabetics

are more prone to retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. The earlier

treatment is initiated, the greater the success. If you develop

retinopathy, there are herbs that can resolve the problem even in

cases where bleeding has started (refer to our discussion of all

three diseases in Chapter 16 for more information).

 

Avoid artificial sweeteners.

 

There is concern they are toxic to nerves, and diabetics are more

susceptible to this reaction.

 

Try " stevia leaf " available in most health food stores. These

natural sweeteners will " not increase " your blood sugar.

 

Eat more beans.

 

Your body metabolizes beans slowly, which slows down the absorption

of sugars from the intestinal tract, aiding your body's

regulation of sugar levels. A diet high in " fiber " is very helpful

for

diabetics due to this beneficial action.

 

Eat lots of berries, especially blueberries. Blueberries (or

bilberries)

contain " anthocyanins " , plant chemicals that help repair tiny blood

vessels especially in the eyes. Consume about one quart of fresh or

one

bag of frozen blueberries per week. Blueberries, blackberries and

raspberries are also low in sugar.

 

Take your vitamins. Diabetics can benefit greatly from vitamin

supplements (Kahler et al., 1993), and I recommend taking a

multivitamin twice each day, as well as the following:

 

Vitamin C (2000 mg), which makes collagen and keeps capillaries

strong.

 

The B vitamins, including niacin, zinc and other minerals, which are

important for sugar metabolism.

 

Vitamin E and essential fatty acids (EFAs), which are important for

cell

membrane stability.

 

Alpha-lipoic acid, which protects nerves, decreases insulin

resistance

and can reverse neuropathy (Reljanovic et al., 1999).

 

Quercetin (1,000 mg per day), one of the most powerful bioflavonoids

that prevents capillary leakage.

 

Always take a multi-mineral if you have diabetes.

 

Three minerals that are known to lower blood sugars are:

GTF chromium (200 mcg per day), manganese (5-15 mg per day) and

vanadium

(20 mg per day for two weeks, and then 2 mg per day).

 

Interestingly, one study showed that herbs traditionally used to

treat diabetes contained higher-than-normal levels of chromium

(Castro 1998).

 

Barley also contains high levels of chromium.

 

Herbal Treatments for Both Diabetic Types

 

Numerous herbs can affect blood sugar levels and overall diabetic

status.

 

For a complete list of the herbs that can affect blood sugar, refer

to Appendix A. However, be aware that there have been reports of

other herbs in many parts of the world that act on blood sugar

levels, so this is a fertile field for continued research.

 

Recommendations and research highlights:

 

Turmeric root, black atractylodes rhizome,

fenugreek seeds,

bitter melon (which contains an insulin-like molecule),

prickly pear cactus (Opuntia fuliginosa- used by Native Americans),

ganoderma mushroom,

gymnema,

Malabar kino (Pterocarpus marsupium),

green tea, maitake

mushroom,

devil's club root bark (Oplopanax horridum), jambul seed (Syzygium

jambolanum),

fig leaf (Ficus carica),

and bay leaves can help regulate and lower

elevated blood sugars.

 

Pterocarpus marsupium may help beta-cells to regenerate (reported in

Murray and Pizzorno, 2000).

 

Ayurvedic doctors use a complex mineral formula called " trivanga

bhasma " to lower blood sugars, not available in Western world due to

its heavy metal content, albeit purified.

 

This is prescribed side-by-side with digestive medicines such as

garlic

and trikatu for both by types of diabetes until the urine is free of

sugar, and then discontinued in favor of the medicines listed below.

 

Long-term use of shilajatu and triphala is excellent for improving

energy in Type I diabetics and reducing long-term complications.

 

This is the combination Dr. Mana gave me in 1976, and I still take

these herbs frequently.

 

Herbs that promote digestion, such as garlic or trikatu are

also important, as well as high quality oils to maintain membrane

moisture and health.

 

If the patient is emaciated, ashwaghanda root is used. For Type Two

diabetes, in addition to trivanga bhasma and

digestive medicine, weight-loss medicines and those that open

blockage are useful, especially shilajatu mixed with agnimantha root

& bark (Premna integrifolia).

 

Some studies indicate that the use of niacinamide (a form of niacin,

also called nicotinamide) very early in the disease process can

sometimes prevent the destruction of beta cells.

 

Some patients have had

complete reversal (Cleary, 1990). The reason it works is that it

inhibits monocyte/macrophage function in the peripheral blood

preventing

production of the beta-cell destructive cytokines interleukin-12 and

tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Kretowski et. al., 2000).

 

Herbs from the vessel-strengthening group, especially tien chi root,

act directly on capillary vessel weakness, thus preventing diabetic

complications.

 

Tien chi root is one of my herbal mainstays. I take it

several months each year to prevent vessel and eye damage.

Diabetics suffering from neuropathy may benefit from acupuncture,

alpha-lipoic acid supplements, and ginkgo leaf (Reljanovic et al.,

1999, Chung et al., 1999).

 

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can help with heart problems and blood sugar

control in diabetics. In one study as many as 59% of patients

responded to supplementation (reported in Murray, 1996).

 

Evening primrose oil was shown in a double-blind clinical trial of

22 diabetics with neuropathy to reduce pain and improve motor

function

after six months of supplementation (Jamal, 1987).

 

Chinese research shows that herbs from the moving blood group help

prevent diabetic complications (Huang et al., 1997). I use herbs

from this group several months per year for preventive purposes—I

recommend you do the same.

 

References

 

Bajracharya, MB. Diabetes: How, Why and What to Do About It.,

Kathmandu:

Piyusavarsi Ausadhalaya publishers, 1988. (Pamphlet).

 

Bergner P. The Healing Power of Minerals, Rocklin: Prima Publishing,

1997.

 

Castro VR Chromium in a series of Portuguese plants used in the

herbal

treatment of diabetes. Biol Trace Elem Res 1998 Apr-May;62(1-2):101-

6

Escola Superior Agraria (IPCB), Castelo Branco, Portugal.

 

Christensen D, Brisk steps can reduce diabetes risk Science News vol

156, October 23, 1000 p. 260, 1999.

 

Chung HS, Harris A, Kristinsson JK, Ciulla TA, Kagemann C, Ritch R.

Ginkgo biloba extract increases ocular blood flow velocity. J Ocul

Pharmacol Ther. 1999 Jun;15(3):233-40.

 

Cleary JP. Vitamin B-3 in the treatment of diabetes mellitus: Case

reports and review of the literature. J Nutr Med 1:217-225, 1990.

 

Duke, J. The Green Pharmacy, Emmaus: Rodale press, 1997.

 

Huang SM, Liao XY, Wu LF. [Clinical report of 60 cases of diabetic

cardio-vascular autonomous neuropathy by stasis removing treatment

of

combined traditional and Western medicine]. Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I

Chieh

Ho Tsa Chih. 1997 Oct;17(10):594-6. Chinese.

 

Jain SC, Uppal A, Bhatnagar SO, Talukdar B. A study of response

pattern

of non-insulin dependent diabetics to yoga therapy. Diabetes Res

Clin

Pract. 1993 Jan;19(1):69-74.

 

Jamal GA. et al., Treatment of diabetic neuropathy with famma-

linolenic

acid (GLA) as evening primrose oil (Efamol). J Am Coll Nutr 6:86,

1987.

 

Jamal GA. et al., Treatment of diabetic neuropathy with famma-

linolenic

acid (GLA) as evening primrose oil (Efamol). J Am Coll Nutr 6:86,

1987.

 

McGrady A, Horner J. Role of mood in outcome of biofeedback assisted

relaxation therapy in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Appl

Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 1999 Mar;24(1):79-88.

 

Murray, MT. , An Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. Rocklin:

Prima

Publishing, 1996.

 

Murray, MT and Pizzorno J. , Textbook of Natural Medicine. London:

Prima

Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

 

Reljanovic M, Reichel G, Rett K, Lobisch M, Schuette K, Moller W,

Tritschler HJ, Mehnert H. Treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy with

the

antioxidant thioctic acid (alpha-lipoic acid): a two year

multicenter

randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (ALADIN II). Alpha

Lipoic Acid in Diabetic Neuropathy. Free Radic Res. 1999

Sep;31(3):171-9.

 

Resnick HE, Valsania P, Phillips CL. Diabetes mellitus and

nontraumatic

lower extremity amputation in black and white Americans: the

National

Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up

Study,

1971-1992. Arch Intern Med. 1999 Nov 8;159(20):2470-5.

 

Sheela CG, Kumud K, Augusti KT. Anti-diabetic effects of onion and

garlic sulfoxide amino acids in rats. Planta Med. 1995 Aug;61(4):356-

7.

 

Tjokroprawiro A, Pikir BS, Budhiarta AA, Pranawa, Soewondo H,

Donosepoetro M, Budhianto FX, Wibowo JA, Tanuwidjaja SJ, Pangemanan

M,

et al. Metabolic effects of onion and green beans on diabetic

patients.

Tohoku J Exp Med. 1983 Dec;141 Suppl:671-6.

 

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