Diabetes mellitus Type I, also called insulin dependent diabetes, is a metabolic disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin.
The condition, which used to be called juvenile diabetes, generally begins before the age of 30. With diabetes mephitus Type II, also called non insulin dependent, the body can make insulin, but the body cells become resistant to the insulin due to obesity, age, pregnancy, certain drugs (such as contraceptives or cortisone) and other factors.
The most common symptoms of diabetes are extreme thirst and urination, fatigue and overeating coupled with weight loss. The patient may suffer from an increased tendency toward infections, especially of the urinary tract.
Diabetic women may suffer from more yeast infections of the vagina. Long term complications include ulcers and gangrene of the feet (possibly leading to amputation) and an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and other problems.
The standard medical treatment for diabetes Type I is a life long series of self administered insulin shots, careful adherence to a special diet, exercise and very strict medical control.
For Type II treatment, diet, weight loss, exercise and possibly oral medicines lower the blood sugar. In advanced Type II cases, insulin “pushes” the sugar into the cells. Diabetics must give special care to their feet, because they are at risk of ulceration, gangrene and amputation.
Alternative therapies for diabetes include:
- Aromatherapy. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), juniper (Juniperus communis).
- Ayurvecla. Diabetes is believed to be caused by an imbalance in the body’s water system. In the early stages, it may be a Kapha (water) disorder, related to obesity. Excess Pitta (fire) can also prompt diabetes by disturbing the functions of the liver and pancreas. Chronic diabetes is often a Vata (air) disturbance in which excess Vata has damaged the pancreas.
- The general treatment for diabetes includes diet, herbs, spices, exercise and meditation, as well as wearing rings made from stones such a yellow sapphire or yellow topaz.
- Nutrition. Pectin, niacin, thiamin, vitamin B6, vitamin C, calcium, chromium, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, bioflavonoids, biotin, co enzyme Q1O and inositol. Also, remain at ideal weight and eat a low-fat, high-plant fiber diet.
A few food sources for these nutrients are:
– Pectin apples and grapefruit;
– Niacin, almonds, chicken, fish and whole grains;
– Vitamin B6, bananas, cantaloupe, beans and sweet potatoes;
– Vitamin C, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, grapefruit and parsley;
– Calcium, cantaloupe, carrots, garlic and green beans;
– Chromium, apples, oranges and spinach;
– Copper, beans and peas;
– Magnesium, barley, carrots and onions;
– Manganese, blueberries, pineapples and whole-grain rice;
– Phosphorus, fish, nuts and seeds;
– Potassium, bananas, carrots, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables;
– Zinc, oysters, cinnamon and milk;
– Bioflavonoids, oranges, grapefruit and tangerines;
– Biotin, beans, corn and peas;
– Coenzyme Q1O, sardines and mackerel;
– Inositol, bananas, corn, peas and peanuts.
I believe that antioxidants are helpful for both types of the disease in order to prevent the breakdown of body tissue that occurs as a result of high blood sugar. Alpha lipoic acid is one of the most powerful of the antioxidants.
It helps to normalize blood sugar and protects the body against the damage caused by high blood sugar Alpha-lipoic acid “quenches” the free radicals that cause the oxidative stress that, in diabetics, can damage the pancreas (which makes insulin), eyes and other parts of the body.
One of alpha lipoic’s great benefits for diabetes is its ability to reduce glycation (the combination of sugar with proteins of the ar-teries that damages the tiny blood vessels of the heart, eyes, kidneys and other parts of the body) Alpha lipoic acid increases sugar transport, “moving” it so that it doesn’t “stick” and cause damage.
It also improves the nerve function caused by diabetic neuropathy. In addition, I often put my diabetic patients on a low fat, low sugar diet based on fresh vegetables and whole grains, and I recommend beta carotene, vitamins C and E, selenium and other supplements. I suggest that they exercise often and learn how to recognize and defuse stress.
