Natural therapies for Diabetes

  Email this article to a friend

Diabetes is a disorder which disrupts the mechanism by which the body controls blood sugar. The build-up of sugar in the blood, characterized by diabetes, can cause the cells of our bodies to be starved for glucose and can, if left unchecked, lead to damage of the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart. In recent years it has been discovered that high amounts of insulin in the blood cause the circulatory system to weaken and the walls of the vessels to be injured and collect fatty deposits.

Types of Diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes, is often referred to as juvenile or childhood-onset diabetes. In this situation, the pancreas does not produce insulin, a hormone which delivers the glucose to the cell. Without insulin the cell cannot use or burn the blood sugar as energy.  While natural therapies may help the body be more receptive to insulin, they require regular injections of insulin.

• Type 2 or adult-onset diabetes produce varying amounts of insulin, but the cells have too few chemical receptors and the cells starve because of the inability of their body’s' cells to absorb sugar is diminished.

Glucose, a form of simple sugar, is the basic fuel the body uses for energy. In order for our bodies to utilize this sugar however, it must be transported across the cell membrane where it can be used to nourish and fuel our cells.

Insulin comes from the Latin, meaning “island,” because the cells are scattered like islands around the pancreatic gland. It is a hormone manufactured in response to a rising blood sugar level which transports the sugar in the blood across the cell membrane, automatically lowering the sugar content of the blood. Without enough calcium in the blood, the insulin mechanism does not respond to the rise in blood sugar.  Chromium is also needed to lower blood sugar level by improving the efficiency of insulin.  It has also been discovered that a small amount of selenium, must be present to prevent degeneration of the pancreas itself.

When we eat, our bodies break down the proteins, carbohydrates and fats we consume to be used as the building blocks of our bodies. After carbohydrates, such as bread, cereals, pasta, potatoes and rice are digested; they are converted into simple sugars.

 LIFESTYLE CHANGES THAT MAY BE HELPFUL:

Start an exercise program! Research has shown that moderate exercise normalizes a high blood sugar position.  Take a long walk, especially after each meal. This will help lower your blood sugar and elevate “good mood” hormones.

In most cases, weight reduction can help those with type 2 diabetes. In addition to decreasing body fat, regular exercise has been show to improve insulin sensitivity.

DIETARY CHANGES THAT MAY BE HELPFUL:

Even though tendencies toward diabetes may be inherited, more important factors are diet and stress.  A bad diet or parasites is the most probable cause of the pancreas wearing out. Diabetics must not overeat; four or five small meals a day will be the most beneficial.

“WE BECOME WHAT WE EAT”. The diet then, needs to involve a variety of vegetables, nuts, whole grains and tree ripened fruits. We include fruits because they provide fructose to our system, which does not need insulin for its metabolism and can be tolerated by diabetics. The diet will be the most nourishing if mostly raw; however, vegetables lightly steamed are acceptable and necessary in some cases. Raw foods stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin and digestive enzymes.

Reduce your consumption of starchy foods, especially sugar, white flour and salt, that are high in carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes, processed cereals, rice or that have a high glycemic index rating. The Glycemic Food Index is a system that ranks foods based on how they affect your levels of blood sugar.

A good protein source is critical. Yogurt, kefir and cottage cheese are good especially. Fish and poultry (raised without chemicals), in small amounts, if baked (not fried in oil.) Avocados are a good protein source, too.

 Diabetics need to flush the system with enough fluids. Six, 6 ounce glasses of liquids should be a minimum. The single best drink is chlorophyll.

 Raw bulk or natural fiber of whole foods can help to govern how fast simple sugars enter the blood simply by slowing the sugar down.  Certain foods seem especially important to diabetics: Jerusalem artichokes, green beans, grapefruit, bananas, buckwheat, millet, oats, cucumbers, string beans and garlic. Fresh foods, raw if possible, like cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, dried beans, grains, garlic, onions, horseradish, dry mustard, nuts, peas, Swiss chard and watercress are all rich in much needed sulfur. All green, leafy vegetables contain myrtillin, a sugar lowering substance. Dietary fiber, such as psyllium has been show to improve glucose tolerance in some studies.

Stevia, a naturally sweet plant makes an excellent sugar substitute without the drawbacks of sugar. Stevia can be used in cooking as well.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS THAT MAY BE HELPFUL:

Vitawave is a complete vitamin and mineral supplement that contains calcium, B-complex (required for proper glucose metabolism), chromium (lowers blood sugar levels), selenium, zinc (essential for normal insulin production) and other elements that is essential proper pancreatic function.

Alpha Lipoic Acid has also been show to improve insulin sensitivity.

HERBS THAT MAY BE HELPFUL:

Now, through modern science, we can see that 73% of the historical herbs used help Type II, as well as Type I.

 Goldenseal has an insulin-like effect in the body, meaning it lowers blood sugar levels. If you are on insulin and start using goldenseal, it is important to monitor your sugar level carefully, because if goldenseal begins to take effect, your need for insulin should diminish.

Licorice Root has the opposite effect from goldenseal. It tends to raise blood sugar levels or at least to help stabilize them because it aids the adrenal glands.

 With blood sugar problems, the adrenals are often called upon to produce adrenaline to cause the liver to release sugar in the case of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). You can take licorice to raise blood sugar and when necessary goldenseal to lower it.

The herb Nopal (prickly pear cactus) can help to strengthen the liver and the pancreas thereby improving our body’s ability to utilize insulin.

There are several combinations specifically designed for pancreatic problems.
Pro-Pancreas  contains fourteen herbs which have been used to rebuild the pancreas. Its chief ingredient is goldenseal, but it also contains juniper, uva ursi, cedar berries, dandelion and licorice root.

Target P-14 contains these same herbs combined with zinc and chromium which have been chelated to amino acids which direct them to the pancreas where they aid in the production of insulin.

Another pancreatic formula is PBS. The chief ingredient in this formula is cedar berries, which Dr. John Christopher found would help rebuild pancreatic function. This formula also contains goldenseal, burdock and other herbs which aid liver, pancreatic and adrenal function.

For hypoglycemia, HY-A is very a useful and popular combination. It is usually taken with licorice root.

Artemisia Combination, Black Walnut, Garlic, Pumpkin Seed are herbs used to get rid of parasites in the pancreas which is the primary cause of Type I.

Candida Albicans, can be an important contribution and cause of diabetes. This fungus is natural to all humans and lives in the digestive tract unless disrupted by antibiotics, chemicals, stress, coffee or a junk food diet. This would affect a diabetic's pre-deposition thus:

• The digestion becomes less effective and the body can become obese causing diabetes Type II.
• The Candida will invade the body cells causing lesser diseases such as a yeast infection and allergies. Once Candida invades the pancreas, the production of hormones, ie. Insulin will decrease and we have Type I. Eventually Candida penetrates all body cells causing an inflammation of water retention like Type II, as well as a pancreas dysfunction.

Pau D'Arco has historical been use for Candida.  If you prefer, you can use a natural homeopathic medicine for Candida. 

Constipation is a real danger. A fresh diet will tend to keep you moving, but if your colon is lazy, use a herb like Cascara Sagrada to support gastrointestinal health.

email zherbalist@naturalviewpoint.com with questions or comments

Copyright © 2007 naturalviewpoint