Diabetes

a naturopathic prescription for the signs and symptoms

• Diabetes can be a serious and life threatening condition, and you are advised to always work with your professional health practitioner when taking decisions to supplement your health. Am I at risk?
• If there was one medicine to cure diabetes - then there would be no diabetes! So please accept that people who suffer from this condition have there own unique circumstances, and needs, and almost certainly need customised prescriptions. Nevertheless, there are some general guidelines you might consider. Remember, before embarking on any of these suggestions, please talk with your professional health practitioner.
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common genetic disease in the western world today.
• The characteristic symptoms of diabetes are: polydypsia, polyphagia, polyuria (which is a fancy medical way of saying: an frequent thirst, frequent hunger, and frequent urine output). If this applies to you, make an appointment with your doctor quick smart!
• The two most important factors within the control of the patient for type 2 diabetes mellitus are: obesity and inadequate physical activity. This means that if you are a borderline diabetic, you CAN regain your health simply by exercising regularly and losing weight. Even if you are not overweight, your can reduce your risk of diabetes through appropriate exercise and weight control.
• Any effective dietary regime aims to decrease fatty tissue while preserving muscle mass; ie a diet high in complex carbohydrates (including soluble fiber - up to 40g/day), and low in total fat and cholesterol (although relatively rich in mono-unsaturated fats). See the Health Eating checklist. Focus on whole fresh foods - fruit, vegetables and cereals. Beans and avocados are good nutrient sources.
• The complex carbohydrates should have a low glycemic index - the sugars in these whole foods are absorbed more slowly and produce a "drip effect" of blood glucose levels, rather than a rush of glucose into the blood stream after eating. Avoid simple carbohydrates - which essentially is any food containing sugar!
• Low magnesium levels are associated with insulin resistance, so magnesium supplementation may be useful.
• If you have Type-1 diabetes you should consider routine Vitamin E supplementation.
• If you are borderline diabetic (prediabetic) 1g/day of nicotinamide over a long term may be considered.
• Control can be assisted with supplementation of chromium and 100g niacin /day.
• Select a supplement from the following recommendations for your country (clicking the hyperlink refers you to a suitable supplier. Look for products with the following ingredients: chromium, co-enzyme Q10, linoleic acid, biotin, carnitine, dandelion, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, pyridoxine, calcium, magnesium, zinc, brewers yeast, ginseng, aloe vera juice.

Rarely is one product suitable for every body, so you will need to search for those that suit you. Professional practitioners may well prescribe "practitioner only products" after a consultation.

Resource: Diabetes Australia Information Line 1300 136 588
www.dontignorediabetes.com.au

If you at risk, am I at risk? you need to make an appointment to consult a professional health practitioner, if you haven't already done so. Naturopaths consider WHY a person is a diabetic and treats accordingly.

David Wilson, Naturopath

See also Weight Gain

Keep me informed about any news concerning diabetes.