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Dr. Murray's Natural Facts Newsletter

 

Natural Support for Diabetes

Introduction

http://www.willner.com/References/murraydiabetes.htm

 

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder characterized by elevations in blood

sugar levels. There are two major categories: type 1 and type 2.

Type 1 diabetes is associated with complete destruction of the cells

in the pancreas that manufacture insulin. Individuals with type 1

diabetes will require lifelong insulin for the control of blood

sugar levels. In type 2 diabetes insulin levels are typically

elevated indicating a loss of sensitivity to insulin by the cells of

the body. More than 90% of the 17 million American with diabetes

have type 2.

 

Diabetes is a serious disease because it is associated with an

increased risk of life-threatening complications such as a heart

attack, stroke, or kidney disease. Overall, the risk for death among

people with diabetes for these catastrophic complications is about 4

times that of people without diabetes. In addition to an earlier

death, diabetes carries with it significant risks for serious

complications such as blindness, the need for dialysis, and limb

amputation.

 

Q. Can natural medicine help people with diabetes?

 

Absolutely, in fact the most effective treatment of diabetes and

other blood sugar problems requires the utilization of key

lifestyle, dietary, and nutritional supplement strategies. When used

properly, the natural medicine approach to diabetes can:

 

Significantly reduce the risk for developing diabetes - even if many

of your family members or ancestors are or were diabetic.

Possibly reverse type 2 diabetes.

Improve the sensitivity of cells to the action of insulin thereby

improving glucose tolerance and normalizing blood sugar.

Promote weight loss and slow down or block the absorption of sugar

from the intestinal tract.

Effectively reduce the complications of diabetes including heart

disease and retinopathy.

Improve the actions of drugs and insulin while at the same time

reducing their side effects.

The book How to Prevent and Treat Diabetes with Natural Medicine

that I coauthored with Michael Lyon, MD, provides clear guidance for

anyone with diabetes or concerned about developing it.

 

Q. What specific natural products do you recommend to help improve

blood sugar control?

 

Along with Dr. Lyon and Natural Factors, I have created the

WellBetx - a family of nutritional and herbal products designed to

address special nutritional needs of people with diabetes. The

WellBetX products are designed to be used in conjunction with proper

dietary, lifestyle, and medical treatment of diabetes. WellBetX is

not designed to " treat " diabetes per se, instead it is designed to

support the proper utilization of blood glucose and insulin as well

as deal with some of the nutritional challenges and deficiencies

that many diabetics suffer from. The various WellBetX products are

designed to impact one or all of the following goals:

 

Reduce after meal elevations in blood sugar levels.

Provide optimal nutrient status.

Improve insulin function and sensitivity.

Prevent nutritional and oxidative stress.

The WellBetX product line from Natural Factors is available at

health food stores nationwide and consists of the following

formulas: [to see a price list of entire line: click here]

 

PGX™ with Mulberry - A proprietary fiber blend with remarkable

properties along with a special extract of mulberry leaves. [Willner

Code: 43855]

WelBetX Meal Replacement Drink Mix with PGX - A delicious way to

improve blood sugar levels and promoting satiety. [Willner Code:

43870]

WellBetX Complete Nutritional Support for Glucose Balance [Willner

Code: 43856]

This product consists of packets containing the following products

which are also available individually:

WellBetX Complete Multi for Glucose Balance - a high potency formula

that provides optimal levels of nutrients to support people with

diabetes. [Willner Code: 43857]

Herbal Glucose Balance - A unique formula of herbal extracts with

scientific support for their role in promoting human health.

[Willner Code: 43858]

RxOmega-3 Factors - A pharmaceutical grade fish oil that provides

over 600 mg omega-3 fatty acids per capsule. [Willner Code: 41830]

Vitamin E - 400 IU of natural vitamin E [Willner Code: 43268, 43269]

Alpha-lipoic Acid - 200 mg of " nature's perfect antioxidant "

[Willner Code: 43242]

Q. What is PGX?

 

PGX (short for PolyGlycopleX) is a unique blend of selected, highly

viscous soluble fibers. Fiber supplements have been shown to enhance

blood sugar control, decrease insulin levels, and reduce the number

of calories absorbed by the body. When taken with water before

meals, PGX binds to the water in the stomach and small intestine to

form a gelatinous, viscous mass which not only slows down the

absorption of glucose, but also induces a sense of satiety

(fullness) and reduces the absorption of calories.

 

While other soluble fiber complexes have been shown to produce

similar effects, unfortunately, to the greatest benefit, the dosage

required (e.g., 20 grams or more) is often difficult to achieve. In

contrast, because of the synergistic effect of the unique blend of

soluble fibers in PGX it is able to produce results at a dosage as

low as 3 grams per day.

 

One of the main components of PGX is glucomannan, a soluble fiber

obtained from grinding the root of konjac, a plant that has been

used as a food and remedy for thousands of years in Asia.

Glucomannan is 3-times more viscous than guar gum and approximately

7-times more viscous than psyllium. By combining the glucomannan

with other soluble fibers, the viscosity of PGX is amplified further

and has a viscosity 3-5 times higher than glucomannan alone.

 

Clinical studies with earlier versions of PGX have displayed an

ability to lower after meal blood glucose by approximately 20% and

also lowers insulin secretion by approximately 40% producing a whole

body insulin sensitivity index improvement of nearly 50% - a

phenomenal accomplishment that is unequalled by any drug or natural

health product.1,2

 

Q. Why is it important to achieve optimal nutritional status?

 

The person with diabetes has higher requirements for many nutrients.

Clinical studies have shown that supplementation with key nutrients

can improve blood sugar control as well as help prevent or reduce

the development of the major complications of diabetes. Furthermore,

taking a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement has also been shown

to boost immune function and reduce infections in diabetics. The

WellBetX Multiple Vitamin and Mineral Formula is designed

specifically to provide key levels of vitamins and minerals for

individuals with diabetes.

 

Q. What herbal extracts have been shown to be useful in diabetes?

 

The two most active herbal extracts are Gymnema sylvestre and bitter

melon. Gymnema extracts have been shown to enhance glucose control

presumably through helping to increase the production or activity of

insulin.3 Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) on the other hand has

been shown to contain an insulin-like substance that promotes

improved blood sugar control.4 Other herbal extracts useful are

American ginseng, fenugreek, milk thistle, and yacon leaf.

 

Q. What is alpha-lipoic acid and why is important for diabetics?

 

One of the critical goals in nutritionally supporting individuals

with diabetes is to flood the body with a high level of antioxidant

compounds to counteract the negative effects of free radicals and

pro-oxidants. The implementation of this goal is best achieved by

taking the WellBetX Complete Nutritional Support for Glucose Balance

packets.

 

This program is packed with optimal levels of all of the key

nutritional antioxidants (e.g., 900 IU of vitamin E daily) and

includes a daily dosage of 400 mg of alpha-lipoic acid - a vitamin-

like substance that is often described as " nature's perfect

antioxidant. " Unlike vitamin E which is primarily fat soluble and

vitamin C which is water soluble, alpha-lipoic acid can quench

either water or fat soluble free radicals both inside the cell and

outside in the intracellular spaces. Alpha-lipoic acid has been

shown to lead to an improvement in blood sugar metabolism, improves

blood flow to peripheral nerves, and actually stimulates the

regeneration of nerve fibers.5,6

 

Final Comments

 

Knowledge and awareness are the greatest allies for people with

diabetes. An individual with diabetes who makes a strong commitment

to learning about their condition and who accepts the lead role in a

carefully supervised blood sugar monitoring program greatly improves

the likelihood that they will lead a long and healthy life. On the

other hand, individuals who remain ignorant about their disease and

who refuse to undergo regular testing or self monitoring are far

more likely to face years of unnecessary suffering and, more often

than not, catastrophic health problems.

 

Utilizing natural products like those in the WellBetX product line

can lead to definite improvements in blood sugar control. These

improvements will subsequently be demonstrated by changes in the

results with the different monitoring tests, but especially in self-

monitored blood sugar levels.

 

At the present time, individuals with type 1 diabetes absolutely

require conventional treatment with the hormone insulin. We consider

this approach consistent with natural medicine - after all, the goal

is simply to provide the body with a critical natural hormone. When

using the natural products that impact blood sugar control, the type

1 diabetes will need to work closely with their physician and adjust

insulin dosages accordingly.

 

In individuals with type 2 diabetes, when blood sugar levels cannot

be controlled satisfactorily with weight loss, exercise and diet

therapy, oral antihyperglycemic agents or, when necessary, insulin

are utilized for additional support. Just as in the individual with

type 1 diabetes, the type 2 individual on these drugs will need to

work with their physician in adjusting the dosage of any

medications. The difference, however, is the goal in type 2 diabetes

is to achieve satisfactory blood sugar control without the aid of

drugs. In fact, in most cases of type 2 diabetes there can be a

complete reversal of the disease.

 

 

 

Key References:

 

Vuksan V, Jenkins DJ, Spadafora P, et al. Konjac-mannan

(glucomannan) improves glycemia and other associated risk factors

for coronary heart disease in type 2 diabetes. A randomized

controlled metabolic trial. Diabetes Care 1999;22:913-9.

Vuksan V, Sievenpiper JL, Owen R, et al. Beneficial effects of

viscous dietary fiber from Konjac-mannan in subjects with the

insulin resistance syndrome: results of a controlled metabolic

trial. Diabetes Care 2000;23:9-14.

Baskaran K, Ahamath BK, Shanmugasundaram KR, Shanmugasundaram ERB.

Antidiabetic effect of a leaf extract from Gymnema sylvestre in non-

insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients. J Ethnopharmacol 1990;

30: 295-305.

Srivastava Y, Venkatakrishna-Bhatt H, Verma Y et al. Antidiabetic

and adaptogenic properties of Momordica charantia extract. An

experimental and clinical evaluation. Phytotherapy Res 1993; 7: 285-

289.

Reljanovic M, Reichel G, Rett K, et al. Treatment of diabetic

polyneuropathy with the antioxidant thioctic acid (alpha-lipoic

acid): a two year multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-

controlled trial (ALADIN II). Alpha Lipoic Acid in Diabetic

Neuropathy. Free Radic Res 1999;31:171-9.

Jacob S, Ruus P, Hermann R, Tritschler HJ, et al. Oral

administration of RAC-alpha-lipoic acid modulates insulin

sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-

controlled pilot trial. Free Radic Biol Med 1999;27:309-14.

 

---

© 2003 www.doctormurray.com

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest

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