Diabetes is becoming more and more common in North America every year. Diabetes usually requires medication after diagnosis. Natural diabetes management strategies can also help manage blood sugar and reduce diabetes risk.
Diabetes occurs when there is too much sugar in the blood. The most prevalent form of the disease is TYPE II diabetes. In this type, the person’s pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to metabolize the amount of sugar that they are ingesting.
Refined carbohydrates and nutrient deficiencies increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Excess body weight, inactivity, and genetics also contribute.
Understanding Diabetes
What is Diabetes?
Insulin is essential for the proper metabolism of glucose. Glucose is one of the most essential fuels in the body, required for nearly all bodily functions. The pancreas releases insulin when blood sugar rises. Insulin moves glucose into the liver, muscles, and fat for storage. Diabetes develops when the body lacks insulin (Type 1) or resists its effects (Type 2).
Diabetes is often diagnosed based on symptomology, the classic triad including polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia (increased urination, increased thirst and increased hunger). There is usually some unexplained or unintentional weight loss observed in Type I diabetes, whereas Type II diabetics are often overweight. Lab work essential for the diagnosis of diabetes includes a marked elevation in blood glucose, both post prandial and fasting. Fasting blood glucose below 6.1 mmol/L is generally considered normal. Two-hour post-meal levels below 7.8 mmol/L are also considered normal. Healthcare providers use hemoglobin A1c to monitor long-term blood sugar control and treatment effectiveness. It is a long-term assessment of overall patterns of blood sugar regulation.
Who's At Risk of Developing Diabetes?
There is a genetic influence involved in the development of both Type I and II diabetes. In the case of Type I, many believe that a microbial infection may also play a part in the activation of the autoimmune reaction. Some infections may contribute to type 1 diabetes development. Thes inlcude:
- Pertussis
- Hepatitis
- Rubella
- Coxsackievirus
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Cytomegalovirus
- Human herpesvirus 6
What Causes Diabetes?
The World Health Organization has declared an apparent epidemic of diabetes throughout the world. There is a significant correlation between the development of Type II diabetes and obesity. An estimated 80-90% of individuals who develop Type II diabetes are overweight at the time of diagnosis. A poor diet, high in processed foods, is at the root of the problem. Prevention and often cure can be directly attributed to natural diabetes management tips like diet and exercise interventions.
There is significant research to suggest that food sensitivities may play a role in the development of Type I diabetes, as well as the diabetic reaction of Type II diabetics. However, more research is needed.
In Type II diabetics, one theory suggests that specific food intolerances over time lead to inflammation that again destroys the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. Foods often at the root of these problems include corn, dairy, wheat and chocolate. Some studies have shown that eliminating the offending food(s) has resulted in decreased, if not total elimination, of diabetic reactions. People with prediabetes or diabetes may benefit from a hypoallergenic diet as part of natural diabetes management. First, get an assessment and eliminate the offending foods. This may be all that is needed to regulate blood sugar levels and prevent any need for medication or further dietary restrictions.
Complications of Diabetes
Long-term diabetes complications often cause greater concern than the initial symptoms. Poor blood sugar control increases these risks. Most of these complications are due to a dysfunction of the circulatory system, causing damage to the blood vessels that supply various organs and areas within the body.
Diabetic neuropathy most often affects the feet and legs. It can cause pain, numbness, foot ulcers, and gangrene. The nerve and oxygen supply to the feet become so compromised that sometimes amputation is the only treatment option. Diabetics must be diligent about keeping their feet clean, dry and warm, as well as avoiding situations in which trauma to the foot can go unnoticed (due to nerve compromise), once again predisposing them to ulcers. Diabetic nephropathy results from damage to the small vessels supplying the kidney, eventually causing damage and kidney failure. Even a small amount of kidney damage can then have detrimental effects on blood pressure. Diabetics are more prone to stroke and heart attack due to damage to the vessels leading to the brain and heart, respectively.
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by the formation of fragile new blood vessels in the retina as a means to increase a deficient blood supply to that area. These new vessels are prone to breakage and often hemorrhage into the eye, causing damage if not treated.
More complications include the fluctuation between too much sugar in the blood and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Hypoglycemia often creates seemingly uncontrollable and powerful cravings for sweet foods, which, when satisfied, cause low blood sugar to swing back to excess sugar. This yo-yo effect can create many serious secondary complications for the diabetic person. Often, these secondary health problems are of a more serious nature than the actual diabetes itself.
What Are The Typical Symptoms of Diabetes?
The symptoms of diabetes often sneak up on people over time, usually beginning mildly, then progressively becoming more severe. They include:
- Fatigue or brain fog
- Thirst
- Constant hunger
- Excessive urination
- Weight gain
- General malaise
Natural Ways To Manage Diabetes
Diabetes is a controllable disease despite the challenges that it can pose. The first step is the diet, which is why diabetes can be supported through natural management in the early stages. Practitioners normally recommend the following dietary changes:
- Do not overeat; eat meals of equal size.
- Limit the intake of sugars.
- Eat more protein and healthy fats.
- Eat more fibre, as it helps to stabilize blood sugar fluctuations.
- Avoid coffee; caffeine speeds up the rate at which the body uses sugars, & hampers circulation.
These days, most diabetics have glucometers that help them to test their blood sugar throughout the day and to regulate their dosage of insulin accordingly. There are nutritional supplements and natural herbs that can help those with diabetes with blood sugar management in different ways by potentizing insulin, stabilizing fluctuations, slowing or blocking the release of sugars or reducing the ill effects of excess sugar in the system, as well as any secondary symptoms.
Diet & Natural Supplements For Diabetes Management
Dietary Tips For Diabetes Management
Following a fairly simple but strict diet is key to effective management of blood sugar levels for any diabetic. First and foremost, refined sugar needs to be avoided. Processed foods, cookies, pastries and sugar laden fruit juices cause major spikes in blood sugar. The goal of any diabetic is to regulate blood sugar levels, keeping them at a steady level throughout the day.
Increasing fibre and lean protein, as well as making sure to eat smaller portions more often throughout the day, can go a long way in maintaining balanced blood sugar levels. Some medical professionals promote a diet consisting of 40-50 grams of fibre/day. The typical North American diet contains an average of 10-23 g/day. If you are starting low, make sure to increase your fibre gradually, all the while increasing water intake at an equal pace. Psyllium, ground flax seed, oat bran and konjac root (glucommanan) have all been studied and shown benefits for diabetics. Fibre also promotes healthy cholesterol levels, a concern for many diabetics on their way to metabolic syndrome. Vegetables and fruits can also be high in fibre, but beware of too much fruit, which can also be high in sugar. Limit your intake to 2 (max 3) servings/day. Focus on low glycemic vegetables, including sweet potatoes, yams, and green leafy vegetables. Diabetics do not need to cut out carbohydrates altogether, but simply focus on complex carbohydrates, which are digested more slowly. High fibre, low glycemic grain options include brown rice, oats, whole wheat and spelt, among others.
Protein helps to slow carbohydrate digestion and, once again, prevent unhealthy highs (or lows) in blood sugar. Limit red meat, which is high in saturated fat, and focus on lean poultry and fish, as well as quinoa, nuts and legumes.
Supplements
As far as supplements go, there are so many to choose from, making natural diabetes management possible. For the most part, most of these products are aimed at regulating blood sugar and, therefore, also preventing complications associated with poor glucose control.
- B-complex supplements are a good place to start. Vitamin B6, specifically, drops significantly after the age of 50, when Type II diabetes is most likely to occur. 50 – 100 mg/day is recommended to support healthy blood sugar levels. A form of B1 called Benfotiamine, biotin, niacin (B3) and B12 can also support the regulation of blood sugar and prevent diabetic neuropathy by supporting nerve health.
- Don't forget about your vitamin D. More and more research is supporting the use of vitamin D for the prevention and management of both type I and Type II diabetes.
- Chromium is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in sugar metabolism. Look for the picolinate form, as it is the most widely studied.
- Gymnema is an herb that may stimulate insulin release from the pancreas. It may also help support pancreatic cell function in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
- Magnesium deficiency is common in individuals suffering from Type II diabetes and has been associated with insulin resistance. Supplementing with magnesium is also helpful in supporting healthy nerve function.
- Essential fatty acids, particularly omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil, have been shown to help improve glucose tolerance, reduce triglycerides and cholesterol levels and by supporting the overall health of the cardiovascular system, including the vessels to the eyes and kidneys, which can help to prevent retinopathy and nephropathy complications.
- The last supplement worth mentioning is Alpha Lipoic acid (ALA). ALA is a powerful antioxidant that helps to support healthy glucose metabolism, as well as prevent complications.
