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Diabetes
An article
in the June 2001 issue of U.S. News & World Report is entitled, "The
Diabetes Epidemic." According to the article, about 16 million people
in this country have been diagnosed with Diabetes, an increase of nearly
40% in the past decade. But it does not stop there. When blood sugar goes
out of control (Diabetes) it begins to consume other vital body organs
and eventually can lead to blindness, heart, kidney and liver disease
and death. A simple infection in another person can lead to gangrene and
amputations in the Diabetic. It is the seventh leading cause of death
and the future looks even worse. The American Diabetes Association predicts
that 1 million new sufferers will be diagnosed every year.
What causes Diabetes is a mystery and so far no cure has been discovered,
but there is hope. The symptoms can be managed with lifestyle changes
in diet and exercise.
Supplements,
a form of dietary change, have also produced promising results.
There are two types of Diabetes. Juvenile Diabetes, or Type 1 Diabetes,
refers to a person who cannot produce insulin. This may occur at birth,
hence the name Juvenile Diabetes, but it can be contracted later in life
as well. The second kind, Type 2 Diabetes, does not require the use of
insulin and results when the body is not producing enough insulin or the
insulin is not working properly. Type 2 Diabetes usually occurs in those
with a family history of the disease.
When too much sugar is present in the blood, the body will produce insulin
which brings the blood sugar back to normal. If sugar, or simple carbohydrates
are eaten continuously the body can produce too much insulin and this
brings the blood sugar down to a dangerous level. This condition is known
as hypoglycemia. If this continues, eventually the ability of the pancreas
to produce insulin will become impaired, resulting in Diabetes.
Symptoms
of Type 1 (Insulin dependent) Diabetes include irritability, frequent
ion, abnormal thirst, nausea or vomiting, weakness, fatigue, and
unusual hunger.
Type 2 Diabetes
is characterized by blurred vision, itching, unusual thirst, drowsiness,
obesity, fatigue, skin infections, slow healing, and tingling or numbness
in the feet.
One of the
minerals that is often found to be lacking in those with blood sugar abnormalities
is Chromium. It's importance was first noticed in the 1950s and years
of testing on both humans and animals have verified the value of Chromium
in treating both Hypoglycemia and Diabetes. Chromium will probably be
used more and more in the treatment of glucose intolerance in the years
to come.
Magnesium
and Zinc are two of the minerals that are necessary for proper glucose
metabolism. Most people do not get enough of these minerals in their diet.
If these elements should happen to be present at all in the food supply
in the first place, they are usually stripped from the foods during digestion.
At the present
time, certain prescription drugs seem to be necessary to manage even type
2 Diabetes. However, research into the effects of certain foods, including
herbs, minerals, and trace minerals combined with lifestyle changes in
diet and exercise are offering hope that people can live full and normal
lives even in the presence of this dreaded disease.
Sugar Busters.
H. Leighton Steward, Morrison C. Bethea, M.D., Sam S. Andrews, M.D., Luis
A. Balart, M.D. Ballantine Publishing. © 1995.
Dr. Whitaker's
Guide to Natural Healing. Julian Whitaker, M.D. Prima Publishing. ©
1996.
The Doctor's
Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia. Sheldon Saul Hendler, M.D., Ph.D. Fireside
Books, Simon and Schuster. © 1990.
Lick The
Sugar Habit. Nancy Appleton, Ph.D. Avery Publishing. © 1996.
U.S. News
and World Report. July 25, 2001.
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To
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click here now.
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