Huntingdon Pennsylvania Yoga Massage Health Wellness

Natural Help for Diabetes

by Ann Marie Wishard

Herbalist, Sweet Annie Herbs

Millions of people in the United States are afflicted with diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus.  It is a chronic metabolic disorder that results in a surplus of sugar in the blood, which then shows up in your urine.  Your cells need sugar in the form of glucose to produce energy. Insulin is a pancreatic hormone that controls the amount of glucose in the blood by influencing the rate at which glucose is absorbed into the cells.  Too much glucose in the bloodstream can cause heart disease, eye disease, nerve damage, damage to blood vessels, and kidney disease.

There are two common types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is also known as

insulin-dependent diabetes and results from an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.  Type 1 symptoms include frequent urination, nausea, fatigue, irritability, and unusual hunger and thirst.  Type 1 diabetes affects as much as ten per cent of the population and usually starts at an early age.  Insulin must be administered to make up for the lack of insulin from the pancreas. A person with type 1 diabetes can seem quite normal one moment and be unconscious the next.  Blood sugar levels can swing wildly. If glucose levels get too low from the administration of too much insulin or because the person has not eaten in awhile, an insulin reaction can result, causing symptoms like confusion, dizziness, and sweating.  A piece of candy or anything with sugar will bring blood sugar levels back to normal. It is challenging to maintain a normal blood sugar level.

Type 2 diabetes, also known as insulin-independent diabetes, is much more common. Of the 20.8 million Americans with diabetes, 90 percent to 95 percent have the type 2 form. People with type 2 diabetes often develop the disease after age 45, but many are not aware they have diabetes until severe symptoms occur and they need to be treated for one of its serious complications. Type 2 diabetes is due to insulin resistance or reduced insulin sensitivity, combined with reduced insulin secretion from the pancreas.  People of color are particularly at risk.  Additional risk factors include age, lack of exercise, heredity, and poor diet. Although type 2 diabetes usually develops in adulthood, the prevalence of obesity in children is causing alarming increases in type 2 diabetes in this population as well. It is possible for people with this kind of diabetes to minimize or avoid medication with adequate exercise and a healthy diet. A vegan diet, consisting exclusively of plant materials (no eggs or dairy) has been shown to be particularly effective in controlling blood sugar levels in people with both type 1 and 2 diabetes.

Herbs can also be very helpful. Some herbs that help control blood sugar are blueberry leaves, dandelion root, fenugreek and cinnamon.  Cinnamon actually mimics insulin in the blood stream.  Ginseng helps to regulate blood sugar when taken before meals.  These can be taken individually or in an herbal formula.  An herb with essential fatty acids that can help repair the peripheral nerve damage that often accompanies diabetes is Evening of Primrose. Two other supplements I recommend are alpha-lipoic acid and chromium. Alpha lipoic acid helps convert glucose into energy, and chromium helps your pancreas produce the right amount of insulin and aids in maintaining a healthy body weight.  And finally, Super Citramax is a patented form of a south Asian fruit that contains a substance that 12 years of research has shown to be very safe and effective for helping with blood sugar regulation and weight loss. All these herbs and supplements can be taken safely with virtually all medications.

Remember to talk to your health care provider about any changes you wish to make.  Ask lots of questions and don’t be afraid to think outside the box! With natural herbs and supplements, good nutrition, and exercise, you may be able to cut down or even eliminate the need for supplemental insulin in the management of your diabetes. Be informed, be proactive, and be well.