ALTERNATIVES DIABETES

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ALTERNATIVES DIABETES

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© What Doctors Don't Tell You (Volume 6, Issue 10)

 

 

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It is widely accepted that diet and exercise are beneficial in diabetes (see

WDDTY vol 3 no 7). But far less is generally known about the use of more

exotic foods or herbs to treat the condition. It's worth stressing that these

remedies may help a no.

 

Both onion and garlic are now known to have a very significant ability to

lower blood sugar and should be used liberally as part of the normal diet of

diabetes sufferers (Ind J Med Res, 1977; 65: 422-29; Quart J Crude Drug Res,

1979;

17: 139-96).

 

Fenugreek seeds have also been shown to have a similar effect (Eur J Clin

Nutr, 1988; 42(1):51-4; Eur J Clin Nutr, 1990; 44(4): 301-6).

 

 

The stems of prickly pears (of the Opuntia cactus), or nopal, eaten in

Mexico, have the reputation of helping diabetics. In an experimental double

blind

study, a group of non-insulin patients took 500g of broiled nopal stems. After

three hours they experienced a average reduction in glucose of 17 per cent and

in insulin, 50 per cent, compared with those taking a placebo (Diabetes Care,

1988, 11:63-6).

 

 

Dandelion root, Jerusalem artichokes and burdock root all contain a substance

called inulin, which assists in blood sugar control (Am J Clin Nutr, 1990;

52:675-81) and in reducing hyperglycemia and fatigue after starchy meals (Ann

Intern Med, 1931; 5: 274-84).

 

 

In the Indian sub-continent the bark of sanderswood has long been

successfully used in the treatment of diabetes. A flavonoid named epicatechin

contained

in the bark and an alcoholic extract of Pterocarpus marsupium have been proved

able to regenerate functional cells of the pancreas (Lancet, 1981; 2: 759-60;

Lancet, 1982;2: 272).

 

 

In my own practice, I have very often found that Diacure capsules (a product

of France's Laboratoires Lehning) helps my diabetic patients reduce their

insulin requirements by 40 to 45 per cent after about two or three weeks (as

recorded by patients with their home glucose monitors). This powdered herbal

compound contains dandelion root, barberry, butternut, yarrow, whortleberry

(bilberry) leaves and red centaury with some natrium phosphoricum (Enquiries:

UK:

 

NutriCentre, London; Canada: Homeocan, Montreal; US: Enzymatic Therapy, Green

Bay, WI 54311).

 

 

 

As for herbal remedies, German herbalist Rudolf Fritz Weiss mentions a home

remedy for diabetes used widely as a tea in Europe. It is made in equal parts

of whortleberry leaves, bean pods, goat's rue herb, goat's rue seed and

peppermint leaves. The first four contain substances with insulin like action,

called

glucokinins (R F Weiss. Herbal Medicine, 1988, A B Arcanum, Gothenburg).

 

 

In homeopathy, the seeds or mother tincture of the rose apple (jambul in the

US, and Syzygium jambolanum to homeopaths) is a reliable homeopathic remedy (W

Boericke, Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica, 9th ed, Boericke &

Runyon, 1927).

 

 

As far as nutritional management, one or more of the following can be of real

benefit in diabetes: chromium, quercetin, pyridoxine, carnitine, omega-6

fatty acids, ascorbic acid, vitamin B12, zinc, selenium, manganese, magnesium,

biotin, inositol and potassium. A full vitamin and mineral profile will

establish

which supplements should be taken.

 

 

But the most important supplement of all is vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol).

There is mounting evidence that raised blood glucose levels produce more free

radicals. Vitamin E has been shown to measurably stop the production of free

radicals (Diabetes Care,1991;14(1): 68-72). However, only doses of 600-1200mg

have

this effect; lower doses are ineffective (Am J Clin Nutr, 1993; 58: 412-16).

 

 

Vitamin E also helps with circulation of diabetic patients (Diabetes, 1982;

31: 947-51; and 1984; 33: 239-43; Metabolism, 1992; 41(6): 613-21). By lowering

free radicals and protecting blood vessel walls, it can also prevent diabetic

complications, such as foot ulcers and neuropathy.

 

Vitamin E can also stabilize blood sugar. In a carefully controlled study,

900mg per day of vitamin E given for four months both lowered free radical

production and improved insulin action in non-insulin patients, compared with a

group of controls (Am J Clin Nutr, 1993; 57: 650-56).

 

 

Under no circumstance should anyone suddenly take him/herself off diabetic

drugs, especially insulin. Taking any supplement that will probably affect blood

sugar regulation can be potentially dangerous, particularly for any patient

needing insulin injections. Such supplements should be tried only under

professional direction. According to current informed opinion, an insulin

dependent

patient will never be able to stop taking insulin altogether.

 

 

!AHarald C Gaier

 

Harald Gaier is a registered naturopath, homoeopath and osteopath.

 

 

 

© 1995 What Doctors Don't Tell You (Volume 6, Issue 10)