:: DIABETES ::

Diabetes mellitus results from the production of insufficient amounts of insulin by the pancreas. Without insulin the body cannot utilize glucose, this creating a high level of glucose in the blood and a low level of glucose absorption by the tissues. Diabetes mellitus is generally divided into two categories: type I, called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes, and type II in which the onset of the diabetes occurs during adulthood.

The symptoms of the type I diabetic include irritability, frequent urination, abnormal thirst, nausea or vomiting, weakness, fatigue, and unusual hunger. This type of diabetes occurs mostly in children or young adults. The type I diabetic may have an insulin reaction in an instant, seeming perfectly normal one second and becoming unconscious the next. The early warning signs of this type of reaction are hunger, dizziness, sweating, confusion, palpitation, and numbness or tingling of the lips. If left untreated, the insulin-dependent diabetic may also experience double vision, trembling, and disorientation, may perform strange actions, and may eventually lose consciousness. While experiencing any one of these symptoms, quick consumption of a piece of candy, some soda pop, or anything else that contains sugar will bring blood sugar levels back to normal.

Recovery is more difficult for the diabetic whose insulin reaction is left untreated for a long period of time. An insulin reaction producing low blood sugar can be life threatening. Therefore, it is safer to "spill" small amounts of urine sugar when taking insulin. The second type of diabetes, often referred to as maturity-onset diabetes, is likely to occur in those with a family history of diabetes and is characterized by blurred vision, itching, unusual thirst, drowsiness, obesity, fatigue, skin infections, slow healing, and tingling or numbness in the feet. Onset of symptoms is usually later in life.

Diet often controls this type and insulin is not usually required. Obesity is a major factor in type II diabetes.

An estimated 5.5 million Americans are being treated for diabetes. Studies indicate that there are 5 million adults with undetected type II diabetes, and another 20 million have impaired glucose tolerance that may lead to full-blown diabetes. The National Institutes of Health report that undiagnosed diabetes is the reason behind millions losing their vision. Those who are overweight face the greatest risk of developing diabetes. It is the third leading cause of death in the United States.

Other signs of diabetes include lingering flu-like symptoms, loss of hair on legs, increased facial hair, small yellow bumps anywhere on the body (known as xanthomas-cholesterol), and inflammation of the penile skin. Diabetes is associated with arteriosclerosis.

Diabetes Self-Tests

Type I Diabetes
(Insulin-Dependent or Juvenile Diabetes)

To test for type I diabetes:

1. Purchase chemically treated plastic strips at the drugstore.
2. Prick your finger and apply a drop of blood to the tip of the strip.
3. Wait one minute and compare the color on the strip to a color chart, which list various glucose levels. (There are various electronic devices available that can analyze the test strip for you and give you a numerical read-out of the glucose level.)

There is a new device called Glucometer 2 (Miles Laboratories, Elkhart, Indiana) that can be used at home at your convenience. You simply prick your finger with the spring-loaded needle, apply a drop of your blood to the test strip, and place it into the machine for analysis. This test will give you immediate feedback on your condition.

Type II Diabetes (Maturity-Onset Diabetes)

Those who do not have an onset of diabetes until adulthood (type II diabetes) are not able to perceive sweet tastes. While addressing the American Diabetic Association, Dr. J. Shan said, "This abnormality may play an important role in how food is perceived by patients and their compliance with diet therapy."

Obesity is common among type II diabetics (those who became diabetic during adulthood). A weight reduction is usually all that is required to control this type of diabetes without the use of drugs. However, the inability of these patients to perceive sweet tastes makes it more difficult for them to lose weight. Because they do not recognize the sweet taste of substances, they often consume sugary products that they so not appreciate as sweet. If the type II diabetic attains a better understanding of his food and exercises greater care in his food choices and carefully reads food labels, he will be able to control the problem and avoid drugs or insulin.

The following test can detect this impaired ability to taste sweets.

1. Do not consume stimulants (coffee, tea, soda) or sweets for one hour before the test.
2. Label seven identical glasses as having no sugar, ¼ teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon sugar 1½ teaspoon sugar, 2 teaspoon sugar, or 3 teaspoon sugar. Fill each glass with eight ounces of water and add the appropriate amount of sugar. Have someone place the glasses out of order and hide the labels.
3. Take a straw and sip from each glass, marking which amount you think it is. Between each test rinse your mouth with water.

According to Dr. Shan, "Most normal people perceive a sweet taste with only one teaspoon or less of sugar in the eight ounces of water. Those with adult-onset diabetes will not perceive sweetness until they have tasted the equivalent of 1½ to 2 teaspoons of the sugar water."

NUTRIENTS

Supplement	Suggestged Dosage	Comments
Essential
Chromium (GTG)	200 mcg daily	Helps to stabilize blood sugar and increase energy.
L-Carnitine & L-glutamine	2500 mg twice daily on an empty stomach	Fat mobilizers. Avoid L-cysteine---it interferes with absorption of insulin by the cells.
Very Important
Glucomannan or guar gum	Take with a large glass of water and drink down quickly before it thickens.	Good fiber source and fat mobilizer.
Magnesium	750 mg daily.	Important for the enzyme system and pH balance.
Raw pancreas Concentrate	As directed on label.	See GLANDULAR THERAPY in Part Three.
Important
Vitamin A (emulsion or capsule form)	15,000 IU daily.	Avoid beta-carotene; diabetics cannot convert it to vitamin A.
Vitamin B complex plub biotin & inositol	50 mg 3 times daily.	Avoid large amounts of vitamin B. It interferes with the absorption of insulin by the cells.
Helpful
Calcium	1,500 mg daily.	Important for pH balance.
Copper complex (Athrinol form American Biologics)	As directed on label.	Aids in protein metabolism and in many enzyme systems.
Enzyme compound plus proteolytic.	Take with meals; Take between meals.	Proper digestion is essential in management of diabetes.

Enzymes

Herbs

ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

For more information on diabetes, contact the following organizations:

American Diabetes Association
1660 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 549-1500

International Diabetes Center
5000 W. 39th Street
Minneapolis, MI 55416
(612) 927-3393

Joslin Diabetes Foundation
One Joslin Place
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 732-2415

Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
60 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10010-1550
(212) 889-7575