Diabetes
Diabetes refers to a complete lack or a deficiency of insulin production
from the pancreas, or a decrease in the body’s sesitivity
to insulin. Insulin is the hormone that stimulates all cells to
take up glucose from the bloodstream; thus, diabetes is a condition
of hyperglycemia. It is evidenced at first by excessive thirst and
urination, blurred vision, “sweet” smelling urine, and
can be brought on by weight gain, poor diet and sedentary lifestyle,
as well as genetics. Type I (“juvenile onset”) diabetes
starts earlier in age and results in a complete destruction of the
pancreatic tissues responsible for insulin production – thus,
the patient remains insulin dependent for the rest of his/her life.
Type II (“adult onset”) diabetes refers to a general
imbalance of blood sugar metabolism that can progress to a marked
deficiency (and eventually a complete deficiency) of insulin production
in the pancreas. Recent research has identified a strong auto-immune
component in both types of diabetes.
Treatment Goal(s):
· Type I: control hypoglycemic episodes resulting from external
insulin administration.
· Type II: control blood-sugar balance and prevent insulin
dependence; adjust immunity.
Primary Treatment:
· Administer Trigonella foneum-graecum (Fenugreek) or Commiphora
(myrrh/guggul) in powdered or encapsulated form, 3-6 grams daily.
Watch for digestive sensitivity, and ramp the dose if necessary.
· Administer Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) to help
normalize blood sugar levels.
· Administer Momordica charantia (Bitter melon), 200mg to
600mg daily, to reduce hyperglycemia [not for use in Type I diabetes].
Use caution and monitor your patient closely for hypoglycemic episodes
until the appropriate dose is found.
Supportive Treatment:
· Sugar is often a craving. Use Gymnema sylvestre to eliminate
the “sweet” taste, making sugar self-medication unrewarding.
Use Stevia as a sugar substitute (Better than most artificial substitutes,
it actually helps normalize blood sugar).
· Eliminate sugar and low-glycemic index foods (refined grains,
potatoes) from the diet. Increase vegetable and whole-grain foods;
exercise is essential to control weight and adjust metabolic function.
· Supplement with Chromium picolinate 400mg - 800mg daily.
· Normalizing immune response with Astragalus and the medicinal
mushrooms may be helpful.
· Oplopanax horridus (Devil’s club) and Cinnamonum
have recently received much attention for blood sugar control.
Differential diagnoses, cautions, and other considerations
· If insulin is being administered, the greatest danger comes
from hypoglycemia, which can result in loss of consciousness. If
the patient feels “woozy” or light-headed, immediately
administer strong bitters, followed by some carbohydrates (orange
or apple juice, e.g.).
· If insulin is not being administered, run-away hyperglycemia
can lead to a diabetic coma. This can be life-threatening. Loss
of consciousness should be treated as a medical emergency, and insulin
administered immediately.
