How do we deal with type II diabetes without all the medication? I am appalled at the lists of side effects from my prescribed meds. I am obese and know that losing weight would help with the disease, but what else?
Type II diabetes is the end-stage of insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance is caused by the excessive intake of sugar and carbohydrates over several years or decades. The cell membranes of the body become ‘resistant’ to the flood of glucose available, so the glucose level and insulin level rise in the blood.
High glucose levels combine with protein in the body which we call glycation. If the protein glycated is nervous tissue, it causes tingling, pain, numbness which is called neuropathy. If the protein is kidney tissue the kidney starts to function less well until it goes into kidney failure. If the protein is red blood cells they become sticky and tend to clump, causing clotting and obstruction to the flow of blood. This is measured as Hemoglobin A1C. Platelets, blood vessel walls, retina tissue-all become glycated with glucose and cause problems. Insulin is one of the most inflammatory substances the body makes.
As the insulin levels rise, more inflammation is present in the body-headaches, joint aches, muscle aches, swelling, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, constipation, arrhythmias-all manifestations of inflammation.
So, the first step in the treatment of insulin resistance and type II diabetes is to stop the intake of all sugar and reduce the major carbohydrate load-bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, fruit.
Focus on the ingestion of vegetables, legumes, healthy fats (avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil), and meats sparingly.
Supplements are very important, starting with a potent multivitamin and essential fatty acids. To help with insulin resistance, add chromium, vanadium and possibly biotin. DHEA and testosterone levels need to be well within the normal range to reduce insulin resistance. Glucophage (Metformin) also reduces insulin resistance, and also blocks the absorption of glucose from the intestinal tract. Because of the strong inflammation component, anti-oxidants need to be added-vitamins C and E, alpha-lipoic acid, perhaps even glutathione. Magnesium tends to be low in all diabetics so it also needs to be added.
Diabetes type II is both preventable and treatable. Start with the diet, which was the cause in the first place, then add the additional support.
My doctor says I can get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food. What is your opinion on this?
I used to say the same thing to my patients, back in the days before I studied healthy alternatives. It is the party line of allopathic medicine, although that is starting to change. Here's the bottom line, and I'll follow up with some info on what allopaths are now doing:
5 responses so far ↓
1 droundy // Apr 16, 2010 at 6:42 am
When my doctor said I was diabetic I decided I would not accept his diagnosis. I refused to take the “little white pills.” My doctor said I couldn’t do it, I would need the pills. I asked for 6 months. In 6 months I had lowered my fasting am levels to 130 with just a bit more exercise and taking a bit of care with my diet. I lost a bit of weight. I brought my blood sugar levels down to very nice levels (100-120 fasting am) by making wiser food choices, getting a pedometer and putting in 5 miles a day, and consulting with a neurolinquistic coach/counselor to find the neurological and emotional imprints in my life that were creating the dis-ease.
I could do it, I did do it and I feel so much better and empowered.
My last A1C was 6.1. I am getting there. The neurolinquistics porgrams have helped me keep my life style changes b learning how to make well formed outcomes and then keep my focus on those outcomes. It is good to feel good.
2 D Bryant // Apr 16, 2010 at 11:52 am
Don’t forget that caffeine increases cortisol, which increases the amount of sugar excreted from the liver (glucogenisis), resulting in a higher blood glucose. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but for anyone struggling with blood sugar, you gotta stop the caffeine.
3 Evelyn Adamson // Apr 30, 2010 at 10:10 pm
I need help in getting over the carving of sugar. Help with any thing for diabetis. I have fatgue and depression
4 Dr. Stan Gardner // May 4, 2010 at 4:11 pm
droundy, Keep up the good work. See if you can get a fasting insulin level the next time you get a glucose level. If it is above 5, you still have insulin resistance and may want to add chromium and vanadium to your regimen. Also, decrease your carbohydrate intake to 60 to 100 grams per day by focusing on complex carbohydrate intake.
D Bryant, Great point. Thanks for you insight.
Evelyn, We are just finishing our Sweet Freedom from Sugar program which has been very successful for many people. It takes knowledge (which most of us already have), a commitment to stop, and often a plan and ideas that have helped others. Food addicts anonymous has been most helpful, also. Diabetes understanding and treatment is lengthy and comprehensive, depending where you are on the scale. See in the archives on this website a number articles about diabetes. Getting of sugar will help diabetes, fatigue and depression. Start there.
5 Darius Anable // Jun 3, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Hi I think that the miracle fruit trees (synsepalum dulcificum) is an interesting fruit for diabetics. It can change sour food to sweet, therefor remove the urge for sugar. I have some plants site Miracle Berries its my blog on this Magicalfruit.
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