The following information is for educational purposes only and is meant to complement any medical treatment, not to prescribe or diagnose any condition. Please consult with your doctor before starting any medical or nutritional program.

With the invention of all our modern and refined processing for foods we have seen an increase in diabetes in our world. Some of the races that have diabetes in large numbers are the Hawaiians and the Native American Indians. Their bodies have a hard time adapting to the modern foods. More than any other disease, diabetes can be managed quite well with nutrition.

There are two types of diabetes: the first, diabetes insipidus, is more rare and has to do with a deficiency in the pituitary hormone called vasopressin. The other possibility is that the kidneys have an inability to respond properly to that hormone. People with this form of diabetes have several symptoms that make it stand out: they have tremendous thirst and they urinate large amounts regardless of how much they drink, and this shows us the weakness in the kidneys.

Diabetes Mellitus Type I is often called insulin-dependent diabetes It occurs at a young age and is sometimes called “Juvenile Diabetes.” It is often caused by a viral attack on the system, but most experts are of the opinion that the body’s immune system is weak when this occurs. With the destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas which manufactures the insulin, the body is unable to utilize glucose, the main food for the body. Consequently, the level of glucose is high in the blood since the body can’t absorb it. This is often called "insulin resistance." The diabetic's blood becomes "too thick" or "sticky" and this causes blood clots or thromboses that damage blood vessels.

This can lead to the creation of excessive levels of free radicals (oxidants which break down the body faster) and makes the person more susceptible to the following problems: Diabetics have a larger risk of kidney disease, arteriosclerosis, blindness, heart disease or nerve diseases, as well as being more prone to infections. This is because of their body’s resistance to insulin, which is the hormone that actually drives the glucose into the tissue and cells as a nutrient. When this does not happen the body becomes metabolically weak. The glucose molecules engage in an abnormal coupling with body proteins, a step called “glycosylation.” Consequently, this disrupts the protein’s ability to function biochemically and further weakens the immune system.

Some of the more common symptoms are abnormal thirst, again; irritability; weakness; fatigue; excessive urination; extreme loss of appetite or excessive hunger, and in the worst cases, vomiting and nausea. Some of these diabetics can have hyperglycemia type symptoms, which is too much glucose in their blood or at other times hypoglycemia when there is too low blood sugar. Both conditions can be serious. The worst of all these conditions is hypoglycemia, which can come from just missing a meal, or too much exertion or an insulin overdose. The symptoms could be dizziness, confusion, excessive sweating, and if not treated may lead to a coma. With hyperglycemia it could look the same as far as the symptoms, with not being able to keep down fluids as one of the danger signs. This means there is too much blood sugar in the system. It is more common during an illness and could also result in a coma. These two can be serious medical emergencies with life and death consequences.

A poor diet may be one of the biggest factors leading to diabetes. It often occurs with people who are overweight or who eat a diet high in refined sugar, highly processed foods, low in fiber, with too many complex carbohydrates and with too much meat, and who don’t exercise.

The second category is Type II or non-insulin dependent diabetes, and more often occurs when people are older, and usually with people whose family may have a history of diabetes. This disorder is a little different in that the pancreas does produce insulin, but for some reason the insulin is not effective. Some of the common symptoms are poor vision; fatigue; frequent urination; skin infections, and slow healing of wounds as well as unusual thirst, drowsiness, and tingling or numbness in the feet. This disease is also linked to a poor diet. The National Institute of Health says that there are twenty to twenty-five million people with diabetes type problems, many have undetected Type II (some five million). Diabetes is the third leading cause of death in America. It can be detected with a simple urine test.

Nutrition

There is lots of controversy about nutrition but most experts agree that if there is excessive weight, a weight loss program is essential. Consult with a doctor who specializes in nutrition. As with other health challenges, each individual is different and I believe we need to treat the whole person. Many will recommend a high complex carbohydrate, low fat and high-fiber diet with lots of fresh vegetables, moderate fruits and green vegetable juices.

Excess fat cells create chemical messengers that block the body's ability to actually respond to the insulin. As the fat comes off the diabetic's own insulin works better and the blood sugar level can improve. Garlic and onion are always great for healing the body. Add some capsaicin, a natural derivative of hot peppers to spice it up and it is also very healthy.

Eat more steamed and raw vegetables, complex carbohydrates moderately, low fat foods (cut down on animal fats), and increase grains and whole foods. Avoid white flour, salt and white sugar as they elevate blood sugar levels. Eat more legumes, root vegetables, brown rice, and nut butters. Vegetable sources from protein are much better because high fiber helps reduce blood sugar urges. Eat proteins such as beans and tofu, salmon, and tuna two or three times a week. These fish have the Omega 3, great for the immune system. Eat lots of raw olive oil for your dressings or spread it on breads instead of butter; never use margarine.