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Diabetes
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Diabetes
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1. Nutrition
Type II (non-insulin dependent) diabetes can often be effectively treated with dietary measures, making insulin administration unnecessary. Obesity exacerbates insulin sensitivity and must be reduced. The optimal diet for treating diabetes in free of simple sugar, which have an adverse effect on glucose tolerance, and high in complex carbohydrates and fibers, which improve insulin sensitivity and reverse blood-sugar level elevation.
The diet should consist largely of whole grains, especially oats, fruits and vegetables. Watercress and horseradish have a healing effect on the pancreas. Use regularly in meals, adding horseradish in small quantities only. Include plenty of legumes such as peas and beans, which contain water soluble fiber. Eating two apples or drinking a milkshake of skim milk, vanilla and apple pectin before a meal significantly reduces the amount of insulin needed to return blood-sugar levels to normal after eating.
Use nutritional yeast liberally, since it contains chromium, an essential component of GTF (glucose tolerance factor). Chromium deficiency is associated with diabetes. Onions and garlic are helpful in lowering blood sugar because of their active ingredients allyl propyl disulphide (APDS) and daillyl disulphide oxide (allicin). The tropical vegetable bitter melon contains several blood-sugar-lowering compounds without producing the side effects of insulin. The raw juice of raw Jerusalem attichokes is a palatable, well-tolerated drink for diabetics because it contains the starch-like substance inulin and the enzyme inulase. Yeast and yeast extracts have a stimulating effect on the pancreas if it does not secrete sufficient amounts of insulin. Use for seasoning and as a sandwich spread in small but frequent quantities.
In reversing diabetes naturally, learn about the glycemic index of foods. Foods with a high glycemic index of foods. Foods with a high glycemic index are rapid inducers of insulin, make blood sugar control worse, increase a craving for sweets and lead to great weight gain, higher triglycerides and higher cholesterol.
2. Nutritional Supplements
Supplementation will help stabilize sugar levels and increase insulin production. Vitamin and mineral supplementation also help prevent the many additional conditions that are commonly associated with diabetes - including poor circulation of capillaries that leads to kidney, eye and nerve damage-as long as the diet is sound and regular physical activity is performed.
The gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) available in flax seed oil, salmon oil and evening primrose oil is needed to regulate insulin and assist in recovery. It also protects the capillaries from food supplements are also highly recommended, as these contain many essential nutrients and chlorophyll for cell renewal in the pancreas.
A number of the B vitamins stimulate insulin secretion when taken in frequent, small meals. The B vitamins are also essential in the prevention of neuropathy, a common problem associated with diabetes. They can be taken in the form of a B complex. Chromium GTF is also recommended, as it stabilizes blood-sugar levels and is often lacking when sugar is eaten. Low levels of vitamin E in the blood have been linked to high blood-sugar levels and often reduce insulin requirements. Start with a low dosage if taking insulin. Vitamin E also improves circulation, which tends to be poor in diabetics, and combats free radical damage to the capillary walls.
To prevent retinal problems associated with diabetes, both vitamin A and magnesium are recommended.
The doses of the following suggested supplements are dependent on biochemical tests and individual needs. As improvement occurs, doses are reduced and many of the supplements can be reduced: Beta-carotene, inositol, vitamin C (if ferritin or blood iron levels are high, vitamin C should not be supplemented until levels return to normal because vitamin C increase iron absorption and may make iron toxicity problems worse), selenium, magnesium, potassium citrate, manganese, zinc picolinate, copper citrate, bioflavonoids (pycnogenol, rutin, hesperidin and quercetin), coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine.
3. Daily dosages:
Most Important:
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Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg capsules three times daily
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Vitamin B complex, 100 mg
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Vitamin C, with bioflavonoid , 1000 mg
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Chromium, 200 mcg twice daily
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Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU
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Magnesium, 500 mg
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Vitamin A, 10000 IU (avoid during pregnancy) or beta-carotene, 25000 IU
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Inositol, 500 mg twice daily.
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Selenium, 70 mcg
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Zinc picolinate, 15 mg
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Coenzyme Q10, 100 mg
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L-carnitine, 500 mg
(Ref: Siegfried Gursche, MH. Medical Editor-Zoltan Rona, MD, MSc. Encyclopedia of Natural Healing. Natural life publishing, Inc. WA, USA. Alive Publishing, Inc. BC, Canada)
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Posted on February 09, 2005
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NATURAL HEALING - ARCHIVES |
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