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Diabetes Prevention

EmergencyDiabetes has become an epidemic in America

  • The number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled over the past 20 years.
  • Over 21 million Americans, 7% of our population, suffer from diabetes.
  • Over 40 million Americans, another 14% of our population, have Impaired Glucose Tolerance and are ‘at risk’ of contracting diabetes.

  • Children are being diagnosed with diabetes in alarming numbers.
  • The likelihood of children, born in 2000, contracting diabetes in their lifetime is staggering:
    • 33% of American men will be diabetic
    • 39% of American women will be diabetic
    • 50% of Hispanic women will be diabetic

Conventional Diabetes Treatment is Failing!

  • Diabetes has rapidly emerged as the leading cause of heart disease:
    • Approximately 70% of patients with Type 2 diabetes will die of heart disease
    • Last year 44% of patients admitted to the hospital with heart failure were diabetic
  • Compared to non-diabetics, diabetic women have four times the risk of developing heart disease
  • Compared to non-diabetics, diabetic men have two times the risk of developing heart disease
  • Diabetes is a leading cause of amputation and blindness among adults.

The Consequences of Uncontrolled Diabetes are Severe:

  • Blindness
  • Kidney Failure
  • Increased Risk of Heart Disease
  • Stroke
  • Painful peripheral nerve damage that can lead to amputation

Diabetes is Preventable!

  •  Lower your blood-sugar levels naturally
  • Cure Insulin Resistance
  • Loose Body Fat
  • Restore Your Energy
  • Avoid Life-long Health Consequences
  • Live a Normal Life Again
  • Improve your Cardiovascular Health
  • Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease

Diet

  • A life Style change might be necessary to overcome the effects of Diabetes
  • Eat a balanced diet that primarily consists of whole grains, fruit and vegetables:
    • 12% to 16% protein
    • 50% to 55% carbohydrates
    • Less than 30% (mostly unsaturated) fat
    • 25g to 50g per day fiber
  • Reduce your consumption of carbohydrates
  • Too much protein consumption is a problem for diabetics… It could cause kidney failure
  • Make sure that your carbohydrates are Low Glucose Glycemic: whole grains, dark green and brightly colored vegetables.
  • Make sure that you consume poly and mono unsaturated fats opposed to saturated or trans fats.  The more mono-unsaturated - the better.
  • A great source of fat is found in fish - Omega 3 with fatty acids
  • Saturated fats are not good for you.  They clog your arteries. Saturated fats are found in animal products such as whole milk, butter, cream, ice cream and cheese, and saturated fats are found in fatty meats and oils.
  • Trans fats are found in fried food, commercially baked goods, processed foods and trans fats are found in margarine.

What is Diabetes?

To better understand diabetes, we should become a bit familiar with how our bodies convert food into energy.

All food that we consume that is not protein, fat, oil or nuts breaks down into some amount of glucose. Glucose is a type of sugar that enters our bloodstream when we digest our food. Insulin, a hormone that our bodies produce, moves the glucose from our bloodstream to cells where it is absorbed and converted into to energy.

Diabetes is a disease where people have problems either making and/or using insulin. Glucose can not be effectively absorbed by our cells without the effective production and/or use of insulin. Glucose that is not absorbed by cells accumulates in our bloodstream where, over time, it can cause a lot of damage to organs and nerves. The consequences of diabetes can be sever. Diabetes can cause blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and painful nerve damage that can lead to amputation.

There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and type 2.

  • Type 1 diabetes is a condition that occurs when our bodies can not produce insulin. When this occurs, insulin replacement therapy is essential. 5% to 10% of all diabetics have type 1 diabetes.
  • Type 2 diabetes occurs when our bodies can no longer use insulin effectively and we gradually become resistant to the effects of insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a disease that progresses slowly - it goes through identifiable stages. In the early stages of diabetes, both insulin and glucose levels are elevated. In the later stages, insulin levels are reduced, and blood glucose levels increase. 90% to 95% of all diabetics have type 2 diabetes. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include aging, obesity, family history, physical inactivity, ethnicity, and impaired glucose metabolism.

 

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Common symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst and urination, unusual weight changes, irritability, fatigue, and blurry vision. Clinical abnormalities include hyperglycemia and glucose in the urine. The breath might smell sweet because of ketones in the blood (ketosis), which are naturally sweet smelling. Dark outgrowths of skin (skin tags) may also appear.

The most common test used to diagnose diabetes measures the amount of blood glucose. Pre-diabetes is diagnosed if the blood glucose level is between 100 and 125 mg/dL. Diabetes is diagnosed if the blood glucose level rises to 126 mg/dL or above.

Another way to diagnose diabetes is to measure glucose tolerance by measuring how insulin responds to high levels of glucose. Patients are given glucose and their blood glucose levels are measured. Pre-diabetes is diagnosed if the patient’s glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dL. Diabetes is diagnosed if patient’s glucose level is higher than 199 mg/dL.

Conventional Diabetes Treatment is Failing!

As I previously mentioned, type 2 diabetes goes through identifiable stages. Treatment for type 2 diabetes should be tailored to the stage of the disease because in the early stages both insulin and glucose levels are elevated whereas in the later stages, insulin levels decline and glucose levels continue to rise.

The logic behind conventional therapy for type 2 diabetes is flawed. Type 2 diabetics are routinely told that they need to boost their levels of insulin, which will help drive glucose into their cells and lower their blood glucose levels. Unfortunately, in the early stages of type 2 diabetes, insulin levels are already elevated! This treatment advice is like an auto mechanic telling you to put more gas into your gas tank because your fuel filter is clogged - this doesn’t make sense!

In the early stages of type 2 diabetes, the problem isn’t with insulin production, the problem is with our body’s ability to utilize insulin. In the early stages of type 2 diabetes, our cells are less responsive to insulin - they are not absorbing the glucose from the bloodstream and, as a result, our glucose levels slowly rise.

Unfortunately, many early-stage diabetics are prescribed drugs (such as sulfonylureas) that are designed to boost insulin levels. Considering that insulin levels are already high, this treatment may actually promote the progression of the disease.

Diabetes is Preventable

Early stages of diabetes - In the early stages of type 2 diabetes, people suffer from both hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Rather than take drugs that further increase their insulin levels, people with mild to moderate type 2 diabetes should pursue therapies that increase their insulin sensitivity.

Increased insulin sensitivity can be achieved through:

  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Medication
  • Nutritional supplementation

Diet            

One of the best defenses against mild to moderate type 2 diabetes and hyperinsulinemia is improved diet and exercise. Research (Sheard NF 2003) shows us that the incidence of diabetes among people at risk can be reduced by 58% with: 

  • 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity
  • 5 to 10 percent reduction in body weight

The high-carbohydrate, high-plant-fiber (HCF) diet popularized by James Anderson, MD, has substantial support and validation in the scientific literature as the diet of choice in the treatment of diabetes (Anderson JW et al 2004; Hodge AM et al 2004).

The HCF diet is high in cereal grains, legumes, and root vegetables and restricts simple sugar and fat intake. The daily caloric intake consists of:

  • 12% to 16% protein
  • 50% to 55% carbohydrates
  • Less than 30% (mostly unsaturated) fat
  • 25g to 50g per day fiber

The HCF diet produces many positive metabolic effects, including the following: lowered post-meal hyperglycemia and delayed hypoglycemia; increased tissue sensitivity to insulin; reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels; and progressive weight loss.

A healthy diet for diabetics is also rich in potassium. Potassium improves insulin sensitivity, responsiveness, and secretion. A high potassium intake also reduces the risk of heart disease, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Insulin administration induces potassium loss (Khaw KT et al 1984; Norbiato G et al 1984).

Exercise         

People who are obese have a far greater tendency to develop type 2 diabetes than those who are relatively slim. Therefore, weight loss accompanied by increase in exercise and a healthy diet is effective for diabetes prevention and treatment (Mensink M et al 2003; Sato Y 2000; Sato Y et al 2003).

Medication

In addition to diet and exercise, there are a few prescription drugs that increase insulin sensitivity in people with mild to moderate hyperglycemia:

  • Metformin
  • Pioglitazone
  • Actos®

Supplements   

In addition to these prescription drugs, many nutrients have been shown to increase insulin sensitivity, protect vulnerable cell membranes, and reduce the damaging effects of elevated glucose (see “Nutritional Supplements for Diabetics,” below). Ideally, a combination of improved diet, exercise, supplementation, and insulin-sensitizing prescription drugs can reverse mild to moderate hyperglycemia before stronger drugs are needed and permanent damage is done.

Drug Therapy for Advanced Diabetes - Unfortunately, some people’s diabetes will advance to a more dangerous stage. In severe hyperglycemia, the pancreas becomes burned out after producing high levels of insulin for a long time. Insulin levels drop as a result of decreased production, and blood glucose levels are allowed to rise dangerously high. Although diet and exercise, along with nutritional supplements, are still strongly recommended, a number of prescription drugs might also be necessary.

Medication  

Sulfonylurea drugs stimulate pancreatic secretion of insulin. Sulfonylurea drugs should really be considered a “last resort” for people with severe hyperglycemia.

Insulin replacement therapy is also a last resort for type 2 diabetics. While insulin therapy is universal-and essential-among type 1 diabetics, it is reserved for only severe, refractory (nonresponsive to treatment) type 2 diabetics. Proper dosing and monitoring of blood glucose are essential as too much insulin causes low blood sugar and coma, and too little insulin creates hyperglycemia.

Supplements

Type 1 diabetics will need to be on insulin therapy for life, although the supplements mentioned in this section may help offset some of the complications caused by diabetes (e.g., reduced antioxidant capacity and glycation) as well enhance glucose metabolism.

Type 2 diabetics can counteract the progression of their disease by improving insulin sensitivity, enhancing glucose metabolism, and attempting to mitigate the complications of diabetes.

An aggressive program of dietary supplementation should not be launched without the supervision of a qualified physician. Several of the nutrients suggested in this protocol may have adverse effects.

Diabetes prevention or living with diabetes begins with exercise, weight loss if necessary, and dietary modifications. A high-fiber, plant-based diet has been shown to improve type 2 diabetes and to encourage weight loss.

Under no circumstances should people suddenly stop taking diabetic drugs, especially insulin. A type 1 diabetic will never be able to stop taking insulin. However, it is possible to improve glucose metabolism, control, and tolerance with the following supplements:

Bilberry extract-100 mg daily

  • Studies show that bilberry decreases vascular permeability and significantly decreased blood glucose levels. More…

Carnitine - L-carnitine -500 to 1000 mg twice daily

  • Carnitine lowers blood glucose and HbA1c levels, increases insulin sensitivity and glucose storage, and optimizes fat and carbohydrate metabolism. More…

Carnosine-500 mg twice daily

  • Carnosine is a glycation inhibitor that has been shown to exhibit protective effects against diabetic nephropathy and reduce the formation of AGEs. More…

Chromium (preferably polynicotinate)-500 to 1000 mcg daily

  • Chromium is an essential trace mineral that plays a significant role in sugar metabolism. Chromium supplementation helps control blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes. More…

Cinnulin PF - Cinnamon extract-125 mg (Cinnamomum cassia) standardized to 0.95 percent trimeric and tetrameric A-type polymers (1.2 mg) three times daily

  • Cinnamon is one of the world’s most common spices it is used to flavor everything from oatmeal and apple cider to cappuccino. Recent research has revealed that regular use of cinnamon promotes healthy glucose metabolism. More…

Coffee berry extract -100 mg (Coffee arabica) extract (whole fruit) standardized to 50 percent total phenolic acids (50 mg) and 15,000 Micromoles per gram (µmole/g) ORAC- three times daily

  • Some of coffee berry’s most impressive effects can be seen in blood glucose management. Chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid are the two primary nutrients in coffee that benefit individuals with high blood sugar. More…

CoQ10 - 100 to 300 mg daily

  • Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) improves blood sugar control, lowers blood pressure, and prevents oxidative damage caused by disease. More…

DHEA -15 to 75 mg early in the day, followed by blood testing after three to six weeks to ensure optimal levels.

  • DHEA has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and obesity in human and animal models. More…

Omega-3 Fatty Acids EPA/DHA - 1400 mg EPA and 1000 mg DHA daily

  • In human experiments, omega-3 fatty acids lowered blood pressure and triglyceride levels, thereby relieving many of the complications associated with diabetes. More…

Fiber (guar, pectin, or oat bran)-20 to 30 grams (g) daily at least, up to 50 g daily

  • It is difficult to overstate the benefits from fiber in regard to blood glucose control. Eating a diet rich in high-fiber foods prevents and reduces the harm caused by chronically elevated blood glucose. More…

Garlic - 1200 mg daily

  • The active component in garlic, called allium, helps to reconstitute glutathione, a major internal antioxidant. Allium has a number of positive effects that may help reduce the risk of diabetic complications. More…

Ginkgo Biloba - 120 mg daily

  • Studies have demonstrated that ginkgo improves glucose metabolism in muscle fibers and prevents atrophy. Animal studies also show that Ginkgo biloba extracts significantly inhibit post-meal sugar levels and act as anti-hyperglycemic agents. More…

GLA - 900 to 1800 mg daily

  • Animal studies have suggested that lipoic acid, a powerful antioxidant that positively affects important aspects of diabetes, is more effective when taken with gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).

Green Tea Extract: 725 mg green tea extract (minimum 93 percent polyphenols)

  • Green tea contains powerful antioxidants. Studies have shown that these antioxidants may play a role in preventing diabetes. More…

Magnesium (preferably magnesium citrate)-160 mg up to three times daily

  • People with diabetes are often deficient in magnesium, which is depleted both by diabetes medications and by the disease process. More…

NAC - 500 to 1000 mg daily

  • N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a powerful antioxidant that has demonstrated (in animal tests) its ability to protect the heart against endothelial damage and oxidative stress that is associated with heart attacks among diabetics. More…

Quercetin - 500 mg daily (water-soluble form)

  • Quercetin, a potent flavonoid, an antioxidant that helps reduce damage associated with diabetes. Quercetin decreases levels of blood glucose and oxidants. More…

R-dihydro-lipoic acid - 150 to 300 milligrams (mg) daily

  • A powerful antioxidant, lipoic acid positively affects important aspects of diabetes, including blood sugar control and the development of long-term complications such as disease of the heart, kidneys, and small blood vessels. More…

Silymarin - containing 900 mg Silybum marianum standardized to 80 percent Silymarin, 30 percent Silibinin, and 4.5 percent Isosilybin B.

  • In animal studies, silymarin was shown to improve insulin levels among induced cases of diabetes. More…

Vitamin B-Complex - Contains the entire B family, including biotin and niacin

  • Niacin, found in vitamin B3 is required for the proper function of more than 50 enzymes. Without it, the body is not able to release energy or make fats from carbohydrates. More…

Vitamin C - at least 2000 mg daily

  • High vitamin C intake depresses glycation, which has important implications for slowing diabetes progression and aging. More…

Vitamin E - 400 international units (IU) daily (with 200 mg gamma tocopherol)

  • Vitamin E has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. More…

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Written by Doug Cobb · Filed Under Diabetes 

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