Diabetes - Treatment at early-stage, preventive method
updated on July 3, 2011  ZHION.COM
There two common types of diabetes- Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. Type 1
Diabetes occurs in childhood; the body does not produce insulin. Daily insulin injections are
required to maintain the life. While, Type 2 Diabetes occurs in adulthood; the body does not
produce enough insulin. It is related to obesity and lack of exercise.

Risk factors for diabetes include obesity, old age, certain ethnic group, high blood pressure,
high triglyceride and high cholesterol levels. The symptoms related to high glucose levels
include frequent urination, excessive thirst, hunger, fatigue, weight loss and blurry vision.
People suffered from Type 1 Diabetes may develop symptoms over a short period of time and
they usually have high glucose and ketone levels. Both glucose and ketone may be found in
urine. High ketone levels can lead to acidosis, i.e. low blood pH.

The basic treatments for diabetes are to stabilize the blood sugar and eliminate the symptoms
of high blood sugar. Prevention of long-term complications such as heart disease and kidney
failure are important. Diet, exercise, weight control, medication, blood glucose self-testing,
and foot care are vital for good control of diabetes and prevention of its complications.A few
years ago, there was a breakthrough for islet cell transplant technology and it may become the
main treatment for diabetes, especially Diabetes Type 1.

Treatment - Change of LifeStyle
Structure House, a residential weight loss center, presented data from a research study of
obese individuals in a residential weight loss program showing a correlation among degree of
weight loss, reduced cardiometabolic risk factors including cholesterol, triglycerides, and
blood pressure, and lowered risk score. The data also showed that greater weight loss was
associated with greater reduction in participants’ diabetes risk score. Obese individuals can
lower their diabetes risk score through acute lifestyle changes. [2011 American Diabetes
Association 71st Scientific Sessions]

Herbs, Supplements
Some people consider glucose-lowering effects (hypoglycemic effects) as a side effect
(unwanted effect), while some consider glucose-lowering effects as a therapeutic effect. Low
glucose level can cause coma, convulsion or even death. Can we really say the herbs /
supplements/food with hypoglycemic activities is therapeutic? On the other hand, an
appropriate dose of such supplements can benefit people suffered from diabetes. Here is a
list of food, herbs and supplements possibly having such activities:
1. Bitter Melon
2. Stevia
3. Chromium
4. Cordyceps
5. Resveratrol
6. Beet fiber
7. Ginger
8. Cod liver oil
9. Aloe

Traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) are usually served as adjuvants used to improve
diabetic syndromes in combination of routine antidiabetic drugs. For single-herb
prescriptions, Ginseng, Bitter melon, Golden Thread, Fenugreek, Garlic, and Cinnamon might
have antidiabetic effects in T2DM patients. Among 30 antidiabetic formulas approved by the
State Food and Drugs Administrator of China, top 10 of the most frequently prescribed herbs
are Membranous Milkvetch Root, Rehmannia Root, Mongolian Snakegourd Root, Ginseng,
Chinese Magnoliavine Fruit, Kudzuvine Root, Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber, Common Anemarrhena
Rhizome, Barbary Wolfberry Fruit, and India Bread. Their action mechanisms are related to
improve insulin sensitivity, stimulate insulin secretion, protect pancreatic islets, and even
inhibit intake of intestinal carbohydrates. [Xie W et al, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.
2011;2011]

Transplantation
Shinichi Matsumoto at Kyoto University Hospital, Japan, successfully transplanted
insulinmaking cells, i.e. islets, from a living donor's pancreas into a woman suffered from
insulin-dependent diabetes for years. This is the first successful transplantation using the islets
from a living donor. Now, both women have a healthy tolerance to glucose.
Pancreatic Cell Transplant from Living Donor Could Treat Diabetes, Newswire, April 18, 2006.
Diabetes (Diabetes mellitus) is a life-long disease characterized by elevated sugar
levels in the blood. It affects more than 16 million Americans. When food is digested,
glucose enters the bloodstream. At the same time, pancreas releases insulin to
regulate the glucose levels in the bloodstream. When pancreas does not produce
enough insulin or the cells in our body e.g. liver cells, fat cells and muscle do not
respond to insulin, high blood glucose occurs.
Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.