Diabetes is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism characterised by elevations of blood sugar (glucose) levels and a greatly increased risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and loss of nerve function. Diabetes can occur when the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin or if the cells of the body become resistant to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that promotes the uptake of blood sugar by the cells of the body. When there is not enough insulin or when there is a lack sensitivity to insulin by the cells, the blood sugar cannot be absorbed by the body's cells. The can lead to serious complications. 

Type 1 or Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) occurs most often in children and adolescents. It is associated with complete destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas, which manufacture the hormone insulin. These individuals will require lifelong insulin for the control of blood sugar levels. The Type 1 diabetic must learn how to manage his or her blood sugar levels on a day-to-day basis, modifying insulin types and dosage schedules as necessary, according to the results of regular blood sugar testing. About 10 percent of all diabetics are Type 1. 

Type II or Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetics Mellitus (NIDDM) usually has an onset after an individual is forty years of age. Up to 90 percent of all diabetics are Type II. Insulin levels may be low, normal, or elevated. Of greater importance in Type II diabetes is a lack of sensitivity to insulin by the cells of the body. Obesity is a major contributing factor to the loss of insulin sensitivity. Approximately 90 percent of individuals with Type II are obese.

In Type II diabetes, diet is of primary importance and must be tried diligently before a drug is used. Over 75 percent of Type II diabetes can be controlled by diet alone. Despite this high success rate, drugs or insulin are often used. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF IDEAL BODY WEIGHT

Body weight is a significant factor in blood sugar control. Even in non-diabetic individuals, significant weight gain results in carbohydrate intolerance, higher insulin levels, and insulin insensitivity in fat and muscle tissue. The progressive development of insulin insensitivity is believed to be the underlying factor in the development of Type II diabetes. Weight loss corrects all of these abnormalities and significantly improves the metabolic disturbances of diabetes. In other words, since 90 percent of people with Type II diabetes are obese, the majority of people with diabetes could cure themselves by simply achieving their ideal body weight. 

NATURAL ALTERNATIVES TO DIABETES MEDICATIONS

(Please consult your doctor before starting any new diet or medication) 

Proper treatment of diabetes requires much more than insulin, a drug, or a bottle of nutritional supplements. Foremost in the treatment of diabetes is diet. However, diet alone is not enough. Diabetics, especially Type I diabetics, have an increased need for many nutrients. For example, since the transport of Vitamin C into cells is facilitated by insulin, many diabetics do not have enough Vitamin C inside the cells of the body. As a result, Vitamin C deficiency exists in many diabetics despite an adequate dietary amount of Vitamin C. The diabetic simply needs more Vitamin C. A chronic, latent vitamin deficiency will lead to a number of problems for the diabetic, including an increased tendency to bleed (increased capillary permeability) ; poor wound healing; elevations in cholesterol levels; and a depressed immune system. Furthermore, Vitamin C at high doses (for example, 2gms per day) has been shown to reduce the accumulation of sorbitol within cells. Sorbitol is a sugar that is linked to many complications of diabetes, especially eye and nerve diseases. Other nutrients the diabetic needs more of include vitamins E and B, chromium, zinc, manganese and magnesium. Supplementation is required to meet this increased demand. 

CHROMIUM

As a key constituent of the 'glucose tolerance factor', chromium is a critical nutrient in diabetes. Supplementing the diet with chromium has been shown to decrease fasting glucose levels, improve glucose tolerance, lower insulin levels, and decrease total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while increasing HDL- cholesterol levels. 

The diabetic should supplement his or her diet with 200 to 400 micrograms of chromium daily. In addition, it is important to exercise and to limit the intake of refined sugars and white flour products. Exercise increases tissue chromium concentrations, while the consumption of sugar increases chromium excretion from the body. 

MANGANESE

Manganese is an important cofactor in the key enzymes of glucose metabolism. In guinea pigs, a deficiency of manganese results in diabetes and the frequent birth of offspring that develop pancreatic abnormalities or have no pancreas at all. Diabetics have been shown to have only one half the manganese of healthy individuals. A good daily dose of manganese for a diabetic is 30 milligrams. 

MAGNESIUM

Like Manganese, magnesium is also involved in glucose metabolism. There is considerable evidence that diabetics should take supplemental magnesium. The reasons: magnesium deficiency is common in diabetics, and magnesium may prevent some of the complications of diabetics such as retinopathy and heart disease. Magnesium levels are usually low in diabetics and lowest in those with severe retinopathy. 

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for magnesium is 350 milligrams for adult males and 300 milligrams for adult females. The diabetic may need twice the amount. Most of the magnesium should be derived from the diet. The average intake of magnesium by healthy adults ranges from 143-266 milligrams per day, far below the RDA. Food choices are the main reason. While magnesium occurs abundantly in whole foods, food processing refines out a very large portion of magnesium. The best dietary sources of magnesium are tofu, legumes, seeds, nuts, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables. Fish, meat, milk and most commonly eaten fruit are quite low in magnesium. 

The diabetic individual must be monitored carefully, particularly if he or she is on insulin or has some relatively uncontrolled diabetes. Careful attention to symptoms, home glucose monitoring, and other blood tests are essential in monitoring the condition of the diabetic individual. As diabetics have an above average need for many nutrients. Supplementation is required to meet this increased demand. In a nutshell, here are the key recommendations for daily supplementation: 

Vitamin C, 3 to 8grams

Vitamin E, 400 to 600 International Units 

Vitamin B6, 50 milligrams

Vitamin B12, 1000 micrograms

Biotin, 1000 micrograms

Chromium, 200 to 400 micrograms

Magnesium, 30 milligrams

Selenium, 200 micrograms

Zinc, 30 milligrams

A good multiple vitamin and mineral formula may provide adequate levels of most of these nutrients. 

PLEASE NOTE 

Dosages may need to be altered or avoided based on individual requirements. A good working relationship with the prescribed doctor is recommended.