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DIABETES - A NATUROPATHIC APPROACH
Written by Andrew J. Kaufmann, ND |
| Diabetes Mellitus (DM), whether it be Type I (juvenile) or Type II (adult onset) is characterized by an intolerance to carbohydrates of varying degrees due to inadequate production of insulin by the beta cells of the pancreas or insulin insensitivity of the body cells. Insulin's role in the body is to facilitate uptake of glucose from the blood stream by the body's cells for energy utilization. Diabetes affects up to 5 percent of the population in the U.S. and is responsible for one in every eight deaths in the U.S. and one in every three cases of blindness. |
| Symptoms of diabetes include glucose in the urine, elevated blood glucose, excessive thirst, excessive urination, increased frequency of urination, excess hunger, muscle wasting, weight loss, weakness, electrolyte loss, dry skin, itching, rashes, numbness and tingling of hands and feet, severe pain due to neuropathy, vascular degneration, atherosclerosis, loss of sight, kidney disease, and gangrene in dependent limbs due to poor circulation. Ketosis, coma and premature death frequently occur. In general, Type II diabetics tend to be overweight, while Type I patients become thin and emaciated. The Type II diabetic may be at an earlier state of the disease only to become insulin-deficient later on with sudden weight loss. |
| Studies of various populations show that as consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates such as white bread and white rice increases, so does the incidence of diabetes. In groups where no refined sugars are consumed and the diet include unrefined whole grains, little or no diabetes can be found. Diabetes is a chronic degenerative disease causing vital organs and tissues to be destroyed because of the excesses of glucose. The possibility of cure by natural means depends on the severity of the disease and the length of insulin dependency or insensitivity. While some forms of diabetes such as Type I, or juvenile onset diabetes, can never be corrected through diet alone, and will always require insulin, even in in these cases diet does help moderate the problem along with various therapeutic agents. On the other hand, mild cases of adult-onset diabetes (Type II) are usually easy to correct even after insulin has been used. |
| Fundamental to the successful treatment of diabetes is dietary modification and treatment. Diets that are high in complex carbohydrates (cereal grains, legumes, root vegetables) and low in simple sugars and saturated fats have proven to be very beneficial. Caloric intake should consist of 70-75 per cent complex carbohydrates, 15-20 per cent protein and only 5-10 per cent fat. An appropriately designed exercise program adapted to the patient is vitally important for the Type I and Type II diabetic. Benefits of controlled exercise include enhanced insulin sensitivity, improved glucose tolerance, lower total serum cholesterol and triglycerides along with increasing HDL levels ("good" cholesterol). |
| There are several botanical medicines that have been proven to be effective in managing blood glucose levels and are non-toxic. These include Bitter Melon (lowers blood sugar), Onion and Garlic (lowers blood sugar) and Blueberry (lowers blood sugar, increases capillary strength, inhibits free radical damage, improves vascular tone). Gymnema sylvestre has been shown to enhance pancreas beta islet cell functioning increasing insluin levels. The following should also be considered in the treatment plan: Chromium with niacin, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B, Carnitine, Zinc, Inositol (modulates diabetic neuropathy), and Biotin. All of these provide supportive therapy for better glucose utilization and cell and organ system protection from excessive glucose levels. These therapies and others can be tailored by a naturopathic physician to fit the diabetic's condition reducing the morbidity and mortality from this devastating disease. |
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| © Scottsdale Natural Medicine &
Healing Clinic, LLC latest revision 10.28.2004 |
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