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DISORDERS
(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,
causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)
Disorder: DIABETES
Description: There are two different types of diabetes. Type I diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes, results from a lack of insulin, the hormone that allows cells to take up glucose circulating in the bloodstream. Glucose is the simple sugar that the body uses for fuel. Type I diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The lack of insulin is caused by damage to insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas. The damage may be caused by a virus or by an auto-immune reaction, in which the body’s immune system attacks cells in the body.
Type II diabetes, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (formerly called adult-onset diabetes), is by far the most prevalent form, accounting for 85 to 90 percent of cases, and is most likely to occur in people with a family history of diabetes. In Type II diabetes, the pancreas does produce insulin, but the cells don’t respond to it properly, and the insulin is ineffective.
Symptoms: Symptoms of Type I diabetes include irritability, frequent urination, abnormal thirst, nausea or vomiting, weakness, fatigue, weight loss despite a normal (or even increased) intake of food, and unusual hunger. In children, frequent bedwetting – especially by a child who did not previously wet the bed – is another common sign. People with type I diabetes are subject to episodes in which blood glucose levels are very high (hyperglycemia) and very low (hypoglycemia). Either of these conditions can lead to a serious medical emergency. Hypoglycemia can be caused by a missed meal, too much exercise, or a reaction to too much insulin. The initial signs are hunger, dizziness, sweating, confusion, palpitations, and numbness or tingling of the lips. If not treated, the individual may experience double vision, trembling, and disorientation; and may eventually lapse into a coma. In contrast, a hyperglycemic episode is greatest during illness, when insulin requirements rise; blood sugar can creep up, ultimately resulting in coma. One of the warning signs of developing hyperglycemia is inability to keep down fluids. Possible long-term complications include stroke, blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, gangrene, and nerve damage.
Symptoms of Type II diabetes mellitus include blurred vision, itching, unusual thirst, drowsiness, fatigue, skin infections, slow wound healing, and tingling or numbness in the feet. Other signs that may be associated with diabetes include lingering flu-like symptoms, loss of hair on the legs, increased facial hair, and small yellow bumps known as xanthomas anywhere on the body. Inflammation of the penile glands and foreskin is often the first sign of diabetes and is usually associated with frequent urination day and night.
Incidence: An estimated 5.5 million Americans are being treated for diabetes. Studies indicate that there are 5 million adults with undetected type II diabetes, and another 20 million have impaired glucose tolerance that may lead to full-blown diabetes. Complications of diabetes are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Urinalysis can often detect unsuspected diabetes.
Causes: Diabetes mellitus results from a defect in the production of insulin by the pancreas. Without insulin, the body cannot utilize glucose (blood sugar), its principal energy source. As a result, the level of glucose absorbed by the body tissues is low. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism that over time increases the risk of kidney disease, atherosclerosis, blindness, and neuropathy (loss of nerve function); creates a predisposition to infections, and can complicate pregnancy. Although genetics may make a person susceptible to diabetes, a diet high in refined, processed foods and low in fiber and complex carbohydrates is believed to be behind most cases of the disease. Those who are overweight are at greater risk of developing diabetes.
Treatments: Type II diabetes can usually be controlled by dietary modification and exercise. Since obesity is often a factor, a weight reduction program is often required. Insulin treatment is not usually required.
Nutrients:
Supplement Dosage Comments
|
Chromium picolinate |
400-600 mcg. daily |
Improves insulin’s efficiency, which lowers blood sugar levels. (Caution: Consult with your physician before taking any supplement containing chromium.) |
|
L-Carnitine
plus L-glutamine plus taurine |
500 mg. twice daily, on an empty stomach. Take with water. Do not take with milk. Take with 50 mg. vitamin B6 and 100 mg. vitamin C for better absorption. 500 mg. twice daily, on an empty stomach. 500 mg. twice daily, on an empty stomach. |
Mobilizes fat.
Reduces the cravings for sugar. Aids in the release of insulin. |
|
Vitamin B complex plus extra biotin and inositol |
50 mg. 3 times daily. Do not exceed 300 mg. daily from all supplements. 50 mg. daily. 50 mg. daily. |
B vitamins work best when taken together. Improves the metabolism of glucose. Important for circulation and for prevention of atherosclerosis. |
|
Vitamin B12 |
As prescribed by physician or directed on label. |
Needed to prevent diabetic neuropathy. |
|
Zinc |
50-80 mg. daily. Do not exceed a total of 100 mg. daily from all supplements. |
Deficiency has been associated with diabetes. |
|
Coenzyme Q10 |
80 mg. daily. |
Improves circulation and stabilizes blood sugar. |
|
Magnesium |
750 mg. daily. |
Important for enzyme systems and pH balance. Protects against coronary artery spasm in arteriosclerosis. |
|
Vitamin A |
15,000 IU daily. (If you are pregnant, do not exceed 10,000 IU daily.) |
An important antioxidant needed to maintain the health of the eyes. |
|
Vitamin C |
3000-6000 mg. daily |
Deficiency may lead to vascular problems in people with diabetes. |
|
Vitamin E |
400 IU and up daily. |
Improves circulation and prevents complications through its antioxidant properties. |
|
Calcium |
1500 mg. daily. |
Important for pH balance. |
|
Garlic |
2 capsules each morning and evening. |
Stabilizes blood sugar, enhances immunity, and improves circulation. |
Herbs:
 | Cedar berries are excellent nourishment for the pancreas. |
| Ginseng tea is believed to lower the blood sugar level. (Caution: Do not use this herb if you have high blood pressure. |
| Huckleberry helps to promote insulin production. |
| Other herbs that may be beneficial for diabetes include bilberry, buchu, dandelion root, goldenseal, and uva ursi. (Caution: Do not take goldenseal on a daily basis for more than one week at a time, and do not use it during pregnancy. If you have a history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or glaucoma, use it only under a doctor’s supervision.) |
Recommendations:
| Anyone interested in using Chromium Picolinate for the treatment of diabetes should first seek the advice of a qualified health care professional, preferably a physician with experience in this area. Because the affects of chromium picolinate on insulin levels are very real, blood sugar levels must be monitored carefully and the appropriate dosages of insulin and/or other drugs adjusted as needed. Research shows that most people with diabetes experience a decline in blood glucose levels after they start taking daily chromium picolinate supplements. As a result, it is believed that chromium picolinate may be able to help many people with diabetes (especially type II diabetes) to control their blood sugar levels. |
| If symptoms of hyperglycemia develop, go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. This is a potentially dangerous situation. Intravenous administration of proper fluids, electrolytes, and insulin may be required. |
| If symptoms of hypoglycemia develop, immediately consume fruit juice, soda, or anything else that contains sugar. If that fails to help within twenty minutes, repeat this regimen. If the second treatment fails, or if you cannot ingest food, seek immediately medical attention and/or administer a glucagon injection. Anyone who has insulin-dependent diabetes should always carry a glucagon kit and know how to use it. |
| Keep your feet clean, dry, and warm, and wear only white cotton socks and well-fitting shoes. Lack of oxygen (because of poor circulation) and peripheral nerve damage (with loss of pain sensation) are major factors in the development of diabetic foot ulcers. Try to avoid injury, and take measures to improve the circulation in the feet and legs. |
Include the following in your diet:
| A high-complex-carbohydrate, low-fat, high-fiber diet including plenty of raw fruits and vegetables as well as fresh vegetable juices. Legumes, root vegetables, and whole grains are also good. |
| Foods that help to stabilize blood sugar levels including berries, brewer’s yeast, dairy products (especially cheese), egg yolks, fish, garlic, sauerkraut, kelp, soybeans, and vegetables. |
| For snacks, eat oat or rice bran crackers with nut butter and cheeses. |
| Protein from vegetable sources, such as grains and legumes. Fish and low-fat dairy products are also acceptable sources of protein. |
Avoid the following:
| Saturated fats and simple sugars (except when necessary to balance an insulin reaction). |
| Fish oil capsules or supplements containing large amounts of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). |
| Salt and white flour products. |
| Supplements that contain the amino acid cysteine. It has the ability to break down the bonds of the hormone insulin and interferes with absorption of insulin by the cells. |
| Large doses of Vitamin B1 (thiamine) and Vitamin C. Excessive amounts may inactivate insulin. These vitamins may, however, be taken in normal amounts. Consult the Nutrients table above for recommendations. |
| Large amounts of Vitamin B3 (niacin). Small amounts (50 to 100 mg. daily), may be beneficial. |
| Tobacco in any form; it constricts the blood vessels and inhibits circulation. |
Considerations:
| People with type II diabetes are less able than most people to perceive sweet tastes, and this may make it more difficult for them to lose weight. Choosing foods carefully and reading food product labels should help to control this problem and avoid the need for treatment with drugs or insulin. |
| Type II diabetes can usually be controlled by dietary modification and exercise; insulin treatment is not usually required. Obesity is a major factor in type II diabetes, and a weight reduction program is often all that is required to control it. |
| Research indicates that supplementation with the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may help prevent diabetes. |
| Hypothyroidism may be a leading cause of diabetes. Well-known researcher and author Stephen Langer, M.D., has noticed that neuropathies, together with other diabetic complications, disappear when thyroid hormone is administered. Many complications of diabetes and hypothyroidism are a result of clogged arteries, which prevent the blood from delivering nutrients and oxygen and carrying off waste and debris. |
| A women with diabetes who wants to become pregnant should watch her blood sugar levels long before she plans to conceive. The fetus has the greatest chance of developing birth defects during the first five to eight weeks of pregnancy, before most women know they are pregnant. It usually takes a few months to get the blood sugar under proper control. If a woman begins to monitor her blood sugar level the day she conceives, damage may already be done by the time it is under control. |
| Damage to the retina from diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Persons with diabetes should get annual retinal examinations to check on their condition. |
| Diabetic nephropathy – damage to the kidneys from diabetes – is common and a leading cause of death among people with diabetes. It is important to monitor kidney function periodically. Controlling blood sugar levels reduces the risks of these complications. A low-protein diet containing less than 40 grams of protein each day is recommended for prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy. |
| Diabetic neuropathy (damage to the nerves caused by diabetes) usually affects the peripheral nerves, such as those in the feet, hands, and legs. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and pain. |
| Diabetes and high blood pressure often go hand in hand, and both can lead to kidney disease. In one recent study, hypertensive diabetics who took drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, cut their risk of developing serious kidney disease in half. |
| Research indicates that diabetics who smoke are two to three times more likely than nonsmoking diabetics to develop kidney damage, often leading to the need for dialysis or a transplant. Smoking constricts blood vessels. In people with diabetes, this helps to push large protein molecules out of the vessels and into the kidneys. That can eventually lead to kidney failure. |
Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:
|
Product No. 59618- |
Description |
Comments |
Cost |
|
943-12 |
Chromium Picolinate 200 mcg. Caps. |
Take under doctor’s supervision. |
$5.50/60 |
|
OP00005 |
L-Carnitine 500 mg. |
1 tablet twice daily. |
$27.95/100 |
|
NS00037 |
L-Glutamine 500mg. Caps. |
1 tablet twice daily, on empty stomach. |
$15.20/100 |
|
891-15 |
B Complex 50 mg. Tabs. |
1 tab. 3 times daily. |
$6.95/100 |
|
898-15 |
Biotin 300 mcg. Tabs. |
1 tablet daily. |
$2.95/100 |
|
895-15 |
Vitamin B12 500 mcg. Tabs. (Cyanocobalamin) |
1 tablet daily. |
$3.95/100 |
|
923-15 |
Zinc Gluconate (Chelated) 50 mg. Tabs. |
1 tablet daily. |
$3.64/100 |
|
949-11 |
Coenzyme Q10 100 mg. Capsules |
1 tablet daily. |
$19.95/30 |
|
232-15 |
Magnesium 200 mg. Caps. |
1 tablet three times daily. |
$4.95/100 |
|
958-15 |
Vitamin A 10,000 IU Softgels |
1 softgel daily. |
$3.95/100 |
|
970-12 |
Vitamin C 1000 mg. w/Rose Hips Tabs. |
1 tablet 3 times daily. |
$5.75/100 |
|
234-15 |
Vitamin E 400 IU (D-Alpha Tocopheryl) |
1 tablet daily. |
$7.99/100 |
|
145-151 |
Calcium 600 w/D |
2 tablets daily. |
$5.99/120 |
|
978-25 |
Garlic 400 mg. Odor Free Tabs. |
2 capsules each morning and evening. |
$5.50/200 |
Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd Edition,
by James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Prevention’s Healing with Vitamins, by the Editors of
Prevention Magazine Health Books.
