Type II Diabetes

[Negin]

Sharing lots and lots of info here, because someone asked. Please share any info you may have also. She PM'd me mainly about supplements, but I'll include all my info here. She also asked about "anything that benefits the nerves" and is "especially concerned about the rate of amputation due to nerve damage."

Not sure if I have much info on that. I would think that:

• taking care of diabetes
  
• dry body brushing
  
• exercise
  
• rebounding
  
• massage
  

 

all these things would boost circulation.

I do know that walking barefoot is not recommended for those with diabetes.

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A healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight loss can reduce the incidence for Type 2 diabetes by over 50 percent. Simple lifestyle changes have been found more effective than the diabetes drug metformin—without adverse effects like diarrhea, gas, headaches, indigestion, nausea or vomiting.

 

NUTRITION

In general, the more a food is processed, the worse its effect on blood sugar and insulin!

 

FIBER, FIBER, FIBER!

Think fiber for every meal and preferably, every snack.

A diet that’s highly plant-based, high-fiber, and low in the glycemic index

30 - 50 grams of fiber a day

The average person gets about 12 grams of fiber a day—equivalent to a bowl of high-fiber cereal and two slices of whole-grain bread—but the recommended daily intake is 30 to 50 grams. And even that amount strikes some as too conservative. Some studies have shown that people with diabetes can benefit by eating up to 70 grams a day.

Just a Few Ways to Increase Fiber Intake

• Top breakfast cereal with fresh raspberries or blueberries (dried are great, too), or make a berry-based smoothie.

• Slice an avocado onto your lunchtime sandwich or whip up some guacamole and use as a spread or dip.

• Eat burritos, tostadas, and other bean-heavy Latin American dishes.

• When it’s too time-consuming to cook fresh artichokes, add artichoke hearts to salads or pasta dishes.

• Mix several kinds of cereal together to vary flavors and textures.

• Cut up cauliflower, broccoli, peppers, and other vegetables and keep them in the fridge, along with a healthy dip like hummus.

• Add half a cup of chickpeas to a pot of soup.

• Sprinkle toasted wheat germ over cereal or yogurt.

• Toss some ground flaxseed into oatmeal or fruit; it’s a good source of omega-3s, too.

Have oatmeal for breakfast. A diet rich in whole grains may lower your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and stroke. Other good sources include whole grain bread, high-fiber cereals, and brown rice. One of the best diets to delay the onset of age-related diseases is one that’s high in whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.

 

CINNAMON

One 40-day study of 60 people with type-2 diabetes found that consuming half a teaspoon of cinnamon twice daily significantly lowered subjects' blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Sprinkle it over your oatmeal or drink cinnamon tea. Most recommend one full gram of cinnamon per day.

Preliminary research has shown that taking at least one gram of cinnamon a day may help you maintain normal serum glucose (blood sugar) levels.

 

Consume less sugar. High-glycemic diets – those high in sugar or processed and refined foods – such as bagels and pasta, which convert to sugar almost instantly – raise triglyceride and increase metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and heart disease

 

Broccoli has a compound sulforaphone, which helps the body produce enzymes that protect blood vessels, which lessens the risk of cardiovascular disease for diabetics. This is especially important, as diabetics are 5 times more likely to develop heart disease than others.

 

Figs and Fig Leaf Tea

Fig leaf tea helps support proper insulin response

Researchers here have shown that fig leaf (ficus carica) tea can help maintain proper insulin levels.

It can easily be made using 2 teaspoons of dried cut leaves. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the leaves, cover, and let the brew sit for 10 to 15 minutes before drinking. Drink 1 cup each morning at breakfast. Dried fig leaves can usually be purchased at your local health food store.

 

Guava fruit supports proper blood sugar levels

Guava juice has been shown to lower blood sugar levels significantly. As little as 3 ounces of juice lowered the average fasting blood sugar from 214 to 165 mL/dL, and the effect lasted for up to 3 hours.

Be aware that your insulin intake may have to be monitored more carefully, and possibly even reduced, with the intake of guava fruit or juice.

 

Walnuts

 

Cherries—when tart—and their juice are rich in melatonin, the antioxidant hormone that regulates circadian rhythms and helps promote sound sleep—without which we’re more likely to pack on pounds and develop diabetes and heart disease. Anti-inflammatory, low-glycemic, and radioprotective, tart cherries and their juice contain more melatonin than is found in human blood, finds Russel Reiter, PhD, at the University of Texas Health Science Center. Eat them fresh or dried, and mix a bit of tart cherry juice with water, particularly when you’re working out—to lessen joint inflammation from exercise.

 

Eating more leafy green vegetables, not fruits or any other vegetables, has been found to reduce the risk for getting type-2 diabetes, by 14%.

Leafy greens are very high in magnesium – a mineral that most of us are deficient in. Magnesium has so many benefits, including reducing blood pressure, eliminating PMS, and being helpful for diabetes. Diabetics are usually magnesium-deficient. Researchers have found that the lower your magnesium intake, the higher your risk for diabetes.

Most of us need a good magnesium supplement, but that should not be your only resort. Always start with improving your diet and getting your minerals from food. Increase your magnesium intake by eating more broccoli, chard, kale, spinach, and dark green lettuces. These foods also contain co-factors that may be responsible for magnesium’s ability to support blood sugar control. The amount of greens that it takes to reduce a person’s risk for diabetes in these studies is only 1.5 extra servings a day – equal to one salad.

Those who eat a little more than 1 1/4 cups raw leafy greens daily have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

 

Coconut oil is effective in staving off diabetes. It’s a medium-chain fatty acid, while most other fats are long-chain fats. This means that coconut oil burns faster than other fats so your body doesn’t store it in your tissues.

If you substitute coconut oil for olive oil, butter, or other fats, you’ll lose weight because it burns fats fast.

If you just add coconut oil to a high-fat diet, you’ll gain weight. The idea is to eat a low-fat diet that includes coconut oil.

[Negin]

SUPPLEMENTS AND HERB TEAS

I like vitacost.com and amazon - great prices and reviews

I'm not saying to take them all. I still believe that diet is first and foremost. As far as supplements go, most of this list is in order of importance. Most of it. Haven't had time to fully organize it.

 

Omega-3s: Essential fatty acids reduce triglyceride levels, a build up of which raises blood sugar levels. Take 4000 to 5000 mg daily. Carlson’s Fish Oil is my personal favorite.

 

In one study, those with the highest vitamin D levels had the lowest risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Low levels of vitamin D in the body have been linked to impaired glucose tolerance. Because researchers have found that sunlight helps convert a compound called squalene, which is naturally present in your skin, into vitamin D3, many recommend making a point to either walk, garden, or just sit in full sunlight for 20 or 30 minutes at least 3 times a week. You don't need to stay in direct sun or lie on the beach for hours, but you do need to be outside, since exposure to sunlight through windows will not activate the formation of vitamin D.

If you're under 60, take at least 2,000 IU Vitamin D3 per day.

If you're 60 or over, take at least 5,000 IU per day of vitamin D3.

Most people need to take a D3 supplement.

Taking supplemental D3 is especially important if you:

• spend most of your time indoors

• have a history of low sunlight exposure

• are elderly

• have dark skin

• take certain medications, including some anti-seizure drugs (check with pharmacist)

• Most significantly, sunscreen blocks vitamin D synthesis in the skin, and in northern latitudes (above that of Atlanta, Georgia) the sun is at too low an angle for half the year to provide sufficient UV radiation.

Try to take your vitamin D with a fat-containing meal to ensure absorption.

Don't be concerned that 2,000 IU will give you too much. With exposure to sunlight in the summer, the body can generate between 10,000 IU and 20,000 IU of vitamin D per hour with no ill effects. In addition, no adverse effects have been seen with supplemental vitamin D intakes up to 10,000 IU daily.

D3 in pill form is very poorly absorbed.

Be sure to take the oil-filled gelatin capsules, and take them with a meal that contains fat to help with absorption.

If you have your D3 levels tested and you’re low, you can go up to 10,000 IU per day for a couple of months, and then re-test to see if there's improvement.

If you get your D3 levels tested, I think the ideal is to get them to levels of at least 60-70.

 

Milk Thistle lowers blood sugar - can get in capsules, drop form, or as a tea

 

Chromium and Biotin deliver glucose from the bloodstream to tissues and muscle. This combo lowers diabetics’ blood sugar levels. Take 600 to 1000 mg daily.

A good one may be Enzymatic Therapy Alpha Betic Cinnamon Plus Chromium and Biotin available at Vitacost and maybe amazon

Chromium improves blood sugar control, prevents glucose intolerance, fatigue, and belly fat (linked to heart disease).

Diet beverages and sugar substitutes like aspartame rob the body of chromium, increasing insulin resistance.

If taking chromium alone, take 400 mcg per day.

Chromium is naturally available in brewer’s yeast, brown rice, prunes, nuts, unprocessed whole grains, and even black pepper - yet those with blood sugar imbalances and diabetes should take a supplement.

As many as 9 out of 10 Americans are low in chromium

The artificial sweetener aspartame (found in over 3,000 processed foods) can also deplete chromium, as do refining grains. Chromium makes insulin more effective in regulating blood sugar and helps fight Type 2 diabetes.

 

Vanadyl sulfate supports healthy blood glucose levels

Researchers at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, have shown that oral administration of vanadyl sulfate helps support healthy triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and proper blood glucose levels.

Recommended dosage: 30 to 45 mg daily with meals

 

Gymnema Sylvestre helps balance blood sugar

This herb has been safely used for hundreds of years in India by Ayurvedic practitioners. It helps balance blood sugar levels and support the function of insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The usual recommended dose is 300 mg daily taken 15 minutes before a meal.

 

Ginseng can help reduce blood sugar levels

Research indicates that taking ginseng (particularly 200 mg) can help elevate mood, improve psychophysical performance, and reduce fasting blood sugar levels.

Take 25 mg of Siberian ginseng extract, 20 mg of Panax ginseng extract, and 20 mg of Panax ginseng root daily.

 

Mulberry Leaf Extract lessens the body’s absorption of carbohydrates

Take 1 gram of mulberry-leaf extract 15 minutes to 1 hour before lunch and dinner to reduce post-meal blood-sugar spikes.

 

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) may reverse kidney damage. Take 300 mg daily.

 

Manganese (10 to 30 mg a day) supports mitochrondria (the energy supply in each cell) and balances mineral levels in the body

 

L-glutamine (500 mg 3 times a day) reduces sugar cravings, metabolizes fat, and assist in the production of insulin.

 

B complex vitamins (50 mg a day) to effectively convert starches to sugar

 

Pantothenic acid (500 mg a day) for carbohydrate and fat metabolism

 

Vitamin C (3,000 mg) to prevent cell death and speed wound healing, a serious concern for anyone with insulin problems like diabetes

 

Zinc (up to 50 mg once per day) to fight dangerous free radicals, infections, and speed wound healing

Zinc is essential to liver function and immunity.

It also helps the beta cells in the pancreas store and release insulin. Pancreatic tissue of people with diabetes has only one-third of the zinc found in healthy individuals.

Do your pancreas a favor and eat small portions of zinc-rich, sugar-free high-protein foods - eggs, grass-fed meats, and poultry.

 

Pinnitol balances blood sugar levels and decreases insulin resistance.

 

Fenugreek seeds improve blood sugar control and decrease insulin resistance in people with mild type-2 diabetes. You can take it in tea form and maybe in capsules.

 

Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant

Can protect you from insulin-resistance and from getting type-2 diabetes – can also stop blood vessel damage caused by high blood sugar if you’re already diabetic

Take at least 100 mg of trans-reseveratrol daily

Resveratrol is nontoxic and there is essentially no known toxic dose – in other words, it’s not easy to overdose on it

But for general prevention, stick to the recommended dosage on the label

There are two forms of reseveratrol available: cis- and trans-.

Trans is much better absorbed than cis, which is less expensive also.

 

Chamomile Tea may help prevent complications from diabetes – nerve and kidney damage, as well as vision loss.

 

Pine Bark (pycnogenol) - 150 mg daily can reduce blood sugar levels in type-2 diabetics. Also helps patients lower their blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Pycnogenol works by preventing blood clots, especially important for diabetics who often suffer from atherosclerosis and poor circulation. If you take it, let your doctor know. He may need to lower you dosage of Rx meds.

 

Some studies say that CoQ10 is not very effective as a treatment for diabetes symptoms; others show effectiveness in treating some, but not all, symptoms. Doses range from 5 to 300 mg per day. It’s worth a try.

[Negin]

EXERCISE

Exercise regularly and daily. Aim to burn 300 calories a day through exercise. You may need to workout twice a day.

You can lower your diabetes risk by 60% simply by walking at least 30 minutes a day.

For 18 to 24 hours after you exercise, your body becomes more sensitive to the insulin it produces, keeping your sugar levels efficiently in check and reducing your risk of diabetes. If everybody exercised a few hours a week, Type II diabetes would be virtually non-existent.

Moderate Aerobic Exercise 3 days a week, combined with weight lifting 3 days a week, may slash levels of fat in the liver by up to 40 percent in people with type-2 diabetes. Higher liver-fat levels, a common side effect of diabetes, may increase the risk of heart disease.

 

INFLAMMATION

One of the main determinants of “silent†inflammations in our bodies that promote the development of Type-2 Diabetes - as well as many other symptoms - is the balance between omega-6 fatty acids (which favor inflammation) and omega-3 fatty acids (which reduce it).

Since World War II, the farm animals that give us meat, butter, milk, cheese, cream and eggs are no longer nourished with grass and leaves; they are fed soy and maize instead. Grass is very rich in omega-3s, but maize contains none at all, and soy products contain very little. The animal products that we eat now are thus highly unbalanced, with far too many omega-6s and very few omega-3s.

On average, people in the West have 10 to 15 times more omega-6s in our bodies than omega-3s. This is one of the reasons why all the diseases that are nourished by inflammation are in constant progression in Western countries.

 

The omega-6s and omega-3s in our bodies come exclusively from our diet. They thus reflect exactly what we eat and drink.

EAT MORE

Olive oil

Rapeseed oil

Oily fish twice a week (sardines, anchovies, mackerel, salmon)

Omega-3 eggs

Nuts

Lambs’-ear salad

Green vegetables

Linseed or flaxseed oil

Flax seeds

Omega-3 supplements (roughly 1g or 0.03 oz of the EPA-DHA combination – Carlson’s Fish Oil – for a more severe condition, take up to 3 grams daily and wait at least 8-12 weeks to see if you notice a difference.)

Chia Seeds

Ginger

Fresh fruits and veggies – make sure you’re getting some of every color

Turmeric

 

Evening Primrose Oil (GLA) or from black currant seed and borage oils

Take it on a full stomach in 2 divided doses, equally spaced during the day.

Take up to 500 mg EPO 2-3 times daily or 2000 mg total daily

Don’t use GLA if you take an antiseizure Rx.

GLA supplements provide anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. These good fats also lower cholesterol and triglycerides, ease depression, reduce the risk of autoimmune disorders, and combat allergies.

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an omega-6 fatty acid that is found mostly in plant-based oils. Omega-6 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids: They are necessary for human health but the body can' t make them -- you have to get them through food. Along with omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development. Also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), they help stimulate skin and hair growth, maintain bone health, regulate metabolism, and maintain the reproductive system.

There are several different types of omega-6 fatty acids. Most omega-6 fatty acids in the diet come from vegetable oils in the form of linoleic acid (LA). The body converts linoleic acid to GLA and then to arachidonic acid (AA). GLA can be gotten from several plant-based oils including evening primrose oil, borage oil, and black currant seed oil. Most of these oils also contain some linoleic acid.

A healthy diet contains a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation, and some omega-6 fatty acids tend to promote inflammation. The typical American diet tends to contain 14 - 25 times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids.

Not all omega-6 fatty acids behave the same. Linoleic acid and arachidonic acid (AA) tend to be unhealthy because they promote inflammation. GLA, on the other hand, may actually reduce inflammation.

Much of the GLA taken as a supplement is converted to a substance called DGLA that fights inflammation. Having enough of certain nutrients in the body (including magnesium, zinc, and vitamins C, B3, and B6) helps promote the conversion of GLA to DGLA.

Some preliminary clinical research suggests that GLA may be useful for the following conditions:

Diabetic neuropathy

Some studies show that taking gamma linolenic acid (GLA) for 6 months or more may reduce symptoms of nerve pain in people with diabetic neuropathy. People who have good blood sugar control may find GLA more effective than those with poor blood sugar control.

For diabetes: Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), 480 mg daily, divided into several smaller doses throughout the day.

 

New Chapter’s Zyflamend is said to be a great supplement

 

Probiotics help fight inflammation and bacteria in the gut

Any probiotic you take should contain at least 1-5 billion colony-forming units (CFUs).

Nature’s Way Primadoophilus Optima delivers more than 35-billion CFUs.

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics 12 PLUS

Culturelle

Nature’s Way Probifia Pearls

Enzymatic Therapy Acidophilus Pearls

Jarrow

[Negin]

LIMIT

Reduce dietary sources of inflammation-promoting omega-6s:

Red meat, especially if it is produced by industrial farming techniques and if it does not carry an “omega-3†label

Dairy products

Eggs not marked “omega-3â€

Sunflower oil

Corn oil

Safflower oil

Soybean oil

Sugar

Processed and fast foods

Dairy and gluten may trigger inflammation, so consider eliminating them for a few weeks

 

Harvard researchers also link sugary drinks—everything from soft drinks, sweetened teas and lemonade, fruitades, energy drinks, and even vitamin waters—to inflammation, insulin resistance, belly fat, and hypertension.

Sugar is the underlying cause of so many disorders.

In the early 1900s when people consumed a modest 60 pounds of sugar a year, the rates of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease were much lower than they are today. Obesity was rare. Today, Americans eat about 180 pounds of sugar—found in everything from aspirin and catsup to soft drinks and toothpaste—much of it in the form of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) that carries risks far beyond overweight.

HFCS contains the cumulative neurotoxin, mercury, but it also contributes to the loss of zinc – an important mineral, particularly for those with diabetes.

 

Glutathione could be among the most important antioxidants your body produces.

But keeping glutathione levels high takes work, because the antioxidant depletes rapidly as it defends against inflammation, and your glutathione blood levels decrease about 17 percent between ages 40 and 60. Turmeric, green tea extract, and sulforaphane (an extract of broccoli), turn on the genes that make glutathione.

Try: Source Naturals Broccoli Sprouts Extract. 2 tablets deliver the sulforaphane benefits of 1 pound of fresh broccoli. A daily dose (up to 60 mg of sulforaphane) boosts glutathione production for up to 24 hours.

 

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Drinking caffeinated coffee before breakfast can increase your risk of type-2 diabetes. Have your cup after a bite or two. Having some food in your stomach before drinking coffee can lessen the blood-sugar raising effects.

 

Eat every 3-4 hours throughout the day. Strive for 3 fiber-filled meals plus 3 healthy snacks of 100 calories or less a day.

 

Women with diabetes are 1 ½ times more likely to develop colorectal cancer. Elevated insulin levels may promote cancer growth. To protect yourself, make sure you get screenings and live a healthy lifestyle.

 

Diabetes can impact cognitive function and significantly reduce brain weight, basically shrinking the brain itself.

Recent research has shown that poorly controlled insulin (as in diabetes) not only increases the risk for cognitive impairment and dementia—but also speeds up the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). And Chinese research finds that the higher the BMI (body mass index), the greater the impairment to the brain. Diabetics have up to 65% greater risk for Alzheimer’s than healthy individuals. [i have tips for that.]

[Negin]

Triglycerides

One-third of American adults have triglycerides that are too high or borderline.

If you have a roll of fat above your waistline, you probably have high triglycerides. Get a blood test to see.

Fast for at least 12 hours prior to blood testing for triglycerides. And be aware that taking vitamin C and certain medications—even before that 12-hour fast—can throw off your triglyceride level, resulting in an inaccurate reading.

Lower than 150 is desirable, and under 100 is ideal.

Even more important is the triglyceride/HDL (â€goodâ€) cholesterol ratio, which should be below 2 (triglycerides divided by your HDL number).

Triglycerides are the most common fat in the body. They can be an independent and compounding cause of heart disease. Even if your cholesterol numbers are normal, you may still be in danger of developing cardiovascular disease if your triglycerides are high. What’s more statin drugs aren’t very effective at lowering them.

High triglyceride levels are commonly linked to metabolic syndrome (or prediabetes) and Type 2 diabetes, not to mention inflammation of the pancreas. High levels of these fats may also signal liver problems, in which fatty acids are poorly broken down and utilized, or even thyroid dysfunction.

Triglycerides are relatively easy to control.

Triglycerides and HDL cholesterol are the “lifestyle lipids†because they are so responsive to everyday health habits. One cardiologist said how he’s seen patients’ triglyceride levels fall from 400 to less than 100 and their HDL levels rise significantly, simply by eating fewer starchy and sugary carbohydrates, avoiding saturated and trans fats, exercising more often and intensely, and losing weight.

Don’t overindulge. If you’re prone to high triglycerides, there’s a sign that your body isn’t very efficient at clearing fat from your blood. Limit high-fat meals and don’t drink too much alcohol –which slows down metabolism.

Fish Oil as well as other sources of omega-3 fatty acids – salmon and sardines – are natural and effective triglyceride fighters.

Cinnamon is too. Sprinkle it on appropriate foods.

Eat as few processed foods as possible

Limit simple carbohydrates and sugars like fruit juice, white potatoes, candy, and white pasta – your body converts empty calories it doesn’t need into triglycerides

If all else fails, a class of drugs called fibrates, as well as prescription niacin, can bring triglycerides down.

Eating too many sweets, drinking too much alcohol, being overweight, and not getting enough exercise can raise triglycerides.

Cut down on refined foods, fried foods, and especially sweets. Even too much fruit or juice can raise triglycerides in some people.

Could it be a coincidence that triglyceride levels started going through the roof just when manufacturers began slipping high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) into our food supply? The human body doesn’t recognize HFCS, so foods sweetened with it slip right past our natural appetite-suppressing mechanisms, packing on the pounds.

[Negin]

Some books that look good:

 

http://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Doctor-About-Diabetes/dp/B0043GXYHI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327485265&sr=8-1

 

http://www.amazon.com/Diabetes-Without-Drugs-Naturally-Complications/dp/1605296759/ref=pd_sim_b_1

 

http://www.amazon.com/30-Day-Diabetes-Miracle-Overcoming-Rebuilding/dp/0399534768/ref=pd_sim_b_3

 

I always like to look at Table of Contents, Sample Pages, and Reviews.

[dsmith]

Thanks for the information. I'm going to print this out for my fil. :001_smile:

[KayT]

I was just coming here to search the hive for type-2 diabetes this morning and I find this wonderful wealth of information just waiting for me. Going to print this off and start reading.

 

 

Thanks you so much for being so willing to share with us!

[Shawneinfl]

Thanks Negin - very informative.

[Negin]

I love articles by this doctor and here's a recent one.

[SweetMissMagnolia]

just started taking cinnamon capsules and I've seen a little better readings--am going to continue and see if things get better....

[Cinder]

Dh is prediabetic. He found this book helpful.

 

Dh has stayed off meds by limiting simple carbs (eliminating at first) and increasing his exercise. He's always been a jogger, but when he increased the length of his run he saw better overall results on his bloodwork. He does take fish oil; he tried cinnamon but didn't notice any changes from that so he quit. Over the years he's decided that lots of exercise has been the key for him.

[Sandra in FL]

Negin, the only thing I would add is to consider benfotiamine instead of regular vitamin b1 - it's a special form of thiamine that is particularly helpful with diabetic neuropathy.

[CalicoKat]

Have you found sucralose to affect your blood sugar?