Guest guest Posted January 22, 2003 Report Share Posted January 22, 2003 " JoAnn Guest <angelprincessjo " <angelprincessjo Wed Jan 22, 2003 10:42 am Diabetes & Niacinamide http://www.drdavidwilliams.com/nc/blood_sugar_health.asp The more I travel abroad, the more I'm convinced that our modern medical assumptions are often very limited. In the Western world, for instance, we assume that our medical treatment of diabetes is the best. Of course, insulin injections do enable those with diabetes to live with it. And that would be good enough if there were no other effective alternatives available. But research shows that there are a variety of natural methods to help deal with some types of diabetes. Before getting into these, however, it might be helpful first to explain what diabetes is, in order to better understand why these methods work. What is diabetes? There are two types of diabetes. Type I occurs when the pancreas fails to produce the insulin your body needs to convert sugar into energy. Insulin injections are then required to control blood sugar levels. Consequently, some of the following recommendations are not intended for this type. In type II diabetes, the pancreas produces enough insulin, but somehow it is rendered less effective at controlling blood sugar levels. Hereditary factors, obesity and an imbalance of antagonistic hormones from the thyroid and pituitary glands have all been implicated in type II. Fortunately this type can usually be controlled through diet and exercise. Injection objection Occasionally medication may be necessary, but based on research from around the world that I've reviewed and confirmed, insulin injections can usually be avoided for type II diabetes. My reluctance to promote or endorse such medical solutions is based on my philosophy that when the body succumbs to illness or disease we should support its innate healing capabilities, and only resort to drugs or surgery if less invasive methods are ineffective. Diabetes is a very serious disease. Self-treatment is not recommended. What follows are a few of the most intriguing alternatives to conventional treatment of type II Diabetes that I've found, but keep in mind that they should be tried with medical supervision and careful monitoring. An Ayurvedic herbal remedy INDIA --- For hundreds of years, practitioners of Ayurveda in India have recommended using the leaves of the plant gymnema sylvestre to treat adult-onset diabetes. To my knowledge, the herb gymnema sylvestre is the only substance that both suppresses the elevation of blood sugar and helps regenerate pancreatic cells in animals and humans. Native to the forests of central and south India, gymnema sylvestre is called " sugar destroyer " because ancient Ayurvedic physicians found that chewing a few leaves of the plant suppressed the taste of sugar. What the research says about gymnema sylvestre Research confirms that extracts of this tropical plant decreased fasting blood sugar levels, normalized blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides), lowered insulin requirements and enhanced production of insulin by pancreatic cells. It appears that many of these feats resulted from the repair and/or regeneration of the actual insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Studies have revealed that Type II diabetic patients taking oral medications could reduce their blood sugar levels significantly by taking 400 milligrams of gymnema sylvestre extract daily for 18 to 20 months. Almost 25 percent of the patients were able to stop their medications and control their problem. Niacinamide nips diabetes in the bud COPENHAGEN, DENMARK---A few years ago, researchers also found that nicotinamide [the amide-, more water-soluble form of niacin (vitamin B3)] can prevent the development of diabetes. (Nicotinamide in this country is more commonly referred to as niacinamide.) Adults with newly-diagnosed Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes were given niacinamide dosages of approximately 25 milligrams a day for every two pounds of body weight. (For example, a 150 pound adult was given around 1,875 milligrams a day.) In some patients the niacinamide was able to restore the beta cells of the pancreas, or at least slow down their destruction. Other patients experienced a complete resolution of the disease. When given early enough, niacinamide appears to be able to prevent Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes from ever developing in the first place. Niacinamide is readily available and generally considered very safe. It differs from niacin in that it doesn't cause flushing or dilation of blood vessels. At high dosages, much higher than those referred to here, it may cause a degree of sedation, a feeling of depression and in very large dosages, liver toxicity. Other countries, other solutions It's a big world out there and I can't list here all the effective natural ways to balance out blood sugar levels and support proper insulin function of the pancreas. To learn more about them, click here.Here are a few promising suggestions I've compiled over the years from around the world that help balance blood sugar levels and support proper insulin function of the pancreas. Nutrients Vanadyl sulfate supports healthy blood glucose levels CANADA -- 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 INDIA -- The herb gymnema sylvestre 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. I recommend a dose of 300 mg daily taken 15 minutes before a meal. Ginseng can help reduce blood sugar levels FINLAND - Research indicates that taking ginseng (particularly 200 mg) can help elevate mood, improve psychophysical performance, and reduce fasting blood sugar levels. My recommended daily maintenance dosage is 25 mg of Siberian ginseng extract, 20 mg of Panax ginseng extract, and 20 mg of Panax ginseng root. Niacinamide helps support function of the pancreas DENMARK-- A few years ago, researchers found that nicotinamide [the amide-, more water-soluble form of niacin (vitamin B3)] was able to restore the beta cells of the pancreas, or at least slow down their destruction. (Nicotinamide in this country is more commonly referred to as niacinamide.) Niacinamide is readily available and generally considered very safe. It differs from niacin in that it doesn't cause flushing or dilation of blood vessels. Adult patients were given niacinamide dosages of approximately 25 milligrams a day for every two pounds of body weight. (For example, a 150 pound adult was given around 1,875 milligrams a day.) At high dosages, much higher than those referred to here, it may cause a degree of sedation, a feeling of depression and in very large dosages, liver toxicity. Exercise Take a walk in the sun LONDON - 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, I recommend you make 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. Also, make sure you're getting at least 400 IU of vitamin D a day. This is especially important if you spend most of your time indoors or have a history of low sunlight exposure. Diet Fig leaf tea helps support proper insulin response SPAIN -- 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 CUBA -- 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. http://www.drdavidwilliams.com/c/blood_sugar_health_recs.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.