Why All Diabetics Should Know About Turmeric

Many diabetics already know about the benefits of a low-glycemic diet, but why haven’t they heard about turmeric, one of the world’s most extensively researched anti-diabetic plants?

A literature review published in the International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism titled, “Anti-Hyperglycemic Effect and Insulin Sensitizing Effects of Turmeric and Its Principle Constituent Curcumin,” adds promising new support to the notion that the ancient Indian spice turmeric may provide an ideal drug alternative to treating and perhaps even preventing type 2 diabetes, which has become of the world’s most prevalent diagnoses.

The study reviewed research published between 1998 to 2013 that indicates the active polyphenol in turmeric known as curcumin may provide an ideal intervention for type 2 diabetes, capable of mitigating characteristic pathophysiological hallmarks of the disease such as elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and insulin resistance.

Nineteen of the studies reviewed were cell (in vitro) and animal (in vivo), all which showed beneficial effects.  Five of the studies were human clinical trials using turmeric or curcumin, three of which were performed in those with either diabetes or prediabetes.

Amazingly, the animal and cell research literature review concluded that curcumin could improve the type 2 diabetic state through 10 distinctly different mechanisms, such as:

• Reduction in liver glucose production


• Reduction in liver glycogen production


• Stimulation of increased glucose uptake (by increasing GLUT4, GLUT2 and GLUT3 gene expressions)


• Increasing the activation of AMP kinase


• Promoting PPAR γ ligand- binding activity


• Suppressing hyperglycemia-induced inflammatory state


• Stimulating insulin secretion from pancreatic tissues


• Improvement in pancreatic cell function,


• Increasing phosphorylation of AKT


• Increasing insulin receptor β and reduction of insulin resistance

The human clinical research conducted on diabetic and pre-diabetic patients revealed that curcumin had the following beneficial effects:

• Glucose lowering effect


• Improved beta cell function


• Improved fatty acid oxidation and utilization

One of these studies is especially worth highlighting, as it found a turmeric extract was highly effective in preventing the development of diabetes within pre-diabetic subjects. The study published in 2012, in the American Diabetic Association’s own journal, Diabetes Care, and titled, “Curcumin extract for the prevention of type 2 diabetes,” found that the administration of six capsules containing 250 mg of curcumin daily for 9 months was 100% effective at preventing the development of type 2 diabetes in prediabetics; more specifically: “16.4% of the subjects in the placebo group were diagnosed with T2DM, whereas none were diagnosed with T2DM.”

Observed effects like these are extremely promising when viewed within the context of the highly dismal pharmaceutically-based standard of care. For instance, oral anti-diabetic drugs like metformin are notorious for their serious side effects. They often lower blood sugar, generating the surface appearance of physiological normality, e.g. blood sugar within range, but actually increase morbidity and mortality. With the possibility of deadly side effects, we need natural, safe, affordable and easily accessible alternatives like turmeric now more than ever.

Moreover, despite the well known problem of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes, recombinant or genetically modified insulin is often used in these patients – a highly illogical and irresponsible approach, and which is endemic to a medical paradigm that does not seek to identity for resolve root causes of disease. A small, but highly concerning recent clinical study found that insulin accelerated the progression of type 2 diabetes, as well as caused type 1 diabetes, or “double diabetes.”

Diabetes is, of course, driven by a dietary pattern that reflects evolutionary mismatch, i.e. the Western diet is a lethal disease vector that has no resemblance to the traditional diet humans consumed for thousands of years, and upon which it still depends for good health. Turmeric, therefore, while an amazing alternative to diabetic drugs, should not be considered a “natural cure”; rather, it is something of a palliative counter-balance to a biologically inappropriate diet, which while far better than pharmaceuticals (learn more by reading: Science Confirms Turmeric As Effective As 14 Drugs), still needs to be part of a broader, more holistic plan that takes into account diet, exercise, toxicant exposure, and mind-body/emotional factors that underpin well-being and contribute significantly to most dis-eases.

For more information on the therapeutic value of turmeric/curcumin diabetes, read our previous articles on the topic:

• Turmeric Extract May Prevent, Even Reverse Diabetes (Type 1 and 2)


• Turmeric May Repair and Regenerate Diabetic Liver Function


• Turmeric’s Heart-Saving Properties Confirmed In New Diabetes Study


• Is The Cure for Diabetes A Humble Root?


• Reverse Insulin Resistance With These 8 Foods

Learn even more by viewing the firsthand research on the anti-type 2 diabetic effects of turmeric by viewing these 23 studies, as well as visiting our Blood Sugar Disorder research page, which covers natural health information on both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

The post Why All Diabetics Should Know About Turmeric appeared first on The Sleuth Journal.

25 Natural Remedies For Diabetes

A few weeks ago I read an email from a reader that made me sad.  In it, she said that given her daughter’s reliance on insulin, she had come to terms with the fact that in a true SHTF scenario, her daughter would die. Those of you that have read William Forstchen’s book, One Second After may recall that the main character’s daughter was a diabetic and died because of a lack of insulin.

I really had no words of wisdom to pass on to this reader.  I am, after all, not a healthcare or medical professional.  On the other hand, I did know that Backdoor Survival featured contributor Joe Alton, a medical doctor, has written extensively about diabetes in a survival situation.  When I reached out to him for advice, he graciously agreed to address this topic in a newly refreshed article just for us.

If you, or someone you know has diabetes, you will find this article interesting.  Just be aware that there has not been a lot of scientific studies proving that one remedy or another will be beneficial.  Then again, the same applies to essential oils and we all know how well they work!

As you read though this list of natural remedies for diabetes, take special note of Joe’s last paragraph; it might surprise you.

Natural Remedies for Diabetes

One of the most difficult issues that the medic will encounter in a survival setting is that of chronic illness. Of these, diabetes is perhaps the most problematic. In the U.S., more than 29 million cases of diabetes were identified with more than 1 million requiring insulin therapy (type 1 diabetes). Diabetes causes damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes, extremities, and more. It is the 7^th leading cause of death in the country, and that’s in normal times.

What is diabetes? To understand this, you should know a little about how your body works to process food into energy. When you eat, food is turned into glucose, sometimes referred to as “sugar”. An organ in the body called the pancreas releases a substance called insulin in response. Insulin allows glucose to be used for energy.

In diabetes, this process doesn’t work due to various reasons. The pancreas may not produce enough insulin or certain factors may cause the body to be resistant to its effects (Type 2 diabetes).

We’ve discussed diabetes and survival in detail in a series of five articles some time ago; here’s a link to Part 1: Diabetes in a Collapse Situation.

In today’s article, we’ll explore some of the natural substances that may have a beneficial effect on diabetes. Alternative therapies encompass a variety of disciplines that include everything from diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes to herbal remedies, acupuncture, yoga, hypnosis, biofeedback, aromatherapy, and others.

It should be noted that a honest conversation with your medical caregiver is important before embarking on a new course of therapy. It’s also important to realize that it’s much more difficult to control type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes than the much more common type 2 (non-insulin dependent) with either conventional or alternative strategies.

Having said that, there are quite a few natural substances that have been put forth as being helpful in the control of diabetes . Most of these are thought to have effects on type 2 diabetics only. Unfortunately, there is a lack of hard scientific data on many, and variability exists in terms of effect on each individual.

Here are some natural substances, taken alphabetically, that may have a beneficial effect on glucose control:

Aloe Vera

Aloe may lower blood glucose in type 2 diabetics, especially when used in conjunction with some conventional oral drugs.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that helps decrease insulin resistance and the effects of kidney and nerve damage due to diabetes.

Basil

The leaf and seed of some types of Basil may help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels. The seed may work by providing fiber which slows the elevation of blood sugar levels after meals.

Bilberry

Bilberry contains substances called anthocyanosides which improve blood flow which may prevent vessel damage caused by type 2 diabetes.

Bitter Melon

Bitter melon contains several substances, including some insulin-like compounds, that may lower blood sugars in type 2 diabetics.

Cayenne

Cayenne contains capsaicin, something we’ve talked about before as a form of natural pain relief. Indeed, capsaicin creams may improve pain due to damaged nerves in diabetics.

Gaye’s Note:  See Make an Awesome Cayenne Salve for Pain Relief

Chromium

Chromium supplements improve sensitivity to insulin in those resistant to it. It’s thought to be helpful in those who are pre-diabetic and in women with pregnancy-related diabetes.

Cinnamon

Research suggests that regular intake of cinnamon may help reduce levels of blood glucose by augmenting the action of insulin.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) is needed for normal blood sugar metabolism. Type 2 diabetics have been shown to have lower Co-Q10 levels than non-diabetics, suggesting that supplementation may be helpful in control.

Evening Primrose Oil

Studies have shown that 4 grams of evening primrose oil per day improves, over time, the pain associated with diabetic nerve damage.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek may improve glucose control in both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. It may even lower cholesterol in those with coronary artery disease.

Ginseng

Studies have shown that American Ginseng (there are several kinds) gives some sugar-lowering effects as well as a decrease in A1c levels (Hemoglobin A1C is a blood tests that measures long-term glucose control).

Glucomannan

Glucomannan is fiber derived from konjac root (Amorphophallus konjac). It delays stomach emptying, which leads to slower absorption of dietary sugars which results in lower glucose levels after eating.

Gymnema

Gymnema leaves were documented in studies to raise insulin levels in healthy volunteers.

L-Carnitine

L-carnitine helps you utilize fat to produce energy. When people with diabetes were given L-carnitine, high blood levels of fats decreased, including triglycerides and cholesterol.

Magnesium

Type 2 diabetics often have low magnesium levels. Magnesium supplements are thought to increase insulin production in older people with type 2 diabetes.

Mistletoe

Animal studies suggest that mistletoe can stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic cells, which might decrease glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Onion

Onion contains allyl-propyl-disulphide (APDS), and certain flavonoids, such as quercetin (see below). APDS has been shown to prolong the effect of insulin and stimulate insulin production as well, thereby improving glucose control.

Psyllium

The fiber in psyllium may improve blood glucose in some diabetics.

Quercetin

Quercetin can help diabetics by reducing levels of sorbitol—a sugar that accumulates in nerves, kidneys and eyes of type 2 diabetics.

Vanadium

Vanadium is an element that, in preliminary studies, helped improve blood glucose levels in diabetic animals. When humans with type 2 diabetes were given Vanadium, a decrease in insulin resistance was noted.

Vitamin B1, B6, B7, B12

These vitamins are thought to be deficient in diabetics with neuropathy (nerve damage). Supplementation has been associated with improvement in related pain.

Taking Vitamin B7, also called Biotin, for two months dropped fasting glucose levels significantly in some patients.

Vitamin C

Like Quercetin, vitamin C may reduce levels of sorbitol (see above). Also, 500 mg of Vitamin C twice a day decreases loss of protein in the urine in diabetics. High levels of protein in the urine are associated with poor outcomes among those with glucose issues.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is needed to maintain normal blood levels of insulin. The cells that produce insulin in the pancreas have receptors that accept vitamin D, suggesting that supplements might help improve sugar control.

Zinc

People with type 2 diabetes are often zinc-deficient; adding some through the diet or supplements may correct the deficit.

The above list doesn’t take into account some techniques that aren’t associated with ingesting a substance, such as yoga and acupuncture. These methods are valid options, as is strict attention to diet, exercise, and lifestyle. All these can be incorporated as a component of a holistic approach to diabetes. Again, you can expect the effectiveness of alternative modalities to vary greatly from person to person.

You might be surprised to hear my belief that, in a true survival scenario, the condition of some type 2 diabetics may not worsen and, indeed, might even improve. The restrictions that we’ll see in our diet and the increased physical exertion necessary for activities of daily survival may have a positive effect, at least from a glucose standpoint.

By Joe Alton, MD, of www.doomandbloom.net

Co-Author, The Survival Medicine Handbook

Joe and Amy Alton are the authors of the 3 category #1 Amazon Bestseller “The Survival Medicine Handbook“.  See their articles in Backwoods Home, Survival Quarterly, and other great magazines. For over 600 articles on medical preparedness in wilderness, disaster, or other austere settings, go to their website at www.doomandbloom.net. The opinions voiced by Joe Alton, M.D., and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P. are their own and are not meant to take the place of seeking medical help from a qualified healthcare provider.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Final Word

Diabetes is often referred to as the silent killer because the symptoms can mimic other ailments or simply be ignored.  My recommendation is that you educate yourself relative to those symptoms and of necessary, have your health care provider perform a simple blood sugar test.  If diagnosed, consider incorporating some of these natural remedies into your daily routine and continue to monitor your progress.

As I like to say, knowledge is power, and knowing how to control diabetes with natural remedies  could become a lifesaver down the road.  Thinking out loud, many of the remedies listed above are quite commonplace; it simply makes sense to stockpile a few for the long term.

Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!

The post 25 Natural Remedies For Diabetes appeared first on The Sleuth Journal.

Royal Jelly: Anti-Diabetic Healing Gift FromThe Bee Hive

 

You have probably heard, if the bees die, they are taking us with them. So many of the crops we depend on for our subsistence, thanks to the busy work of these remarkable creatures — specifically, their inadvertent pollination of angiosperms, the plants that most of modern human civilization depend on for their daily nourishment — depend on bees for their prolific food productivity. All the more reason to appreciate what they provide to us. Honey, propolis, beeswax, and even their venom, we now know provide life-saving health benefits. But have you heard about the amazing health benefits of royal jelly?

Royal jelly is an amazing healing compound secreted by bees as both a form of nourishment for the entire hive and an epigenetic control system used to direct the development of larvae into queen bees. This amazing substance has been extensively researched and demonstrated in the peer-reviewed published research to have over three dozen health benefits. You can access the first-hand citations on our database here: Royal Jelly Health Benefits.

An exciting new study was just published in the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine titled, “Effects of royal jelly supplementation on glycemic control and oxidative stress factors in type 2 diabetic female: a randomized clinical trial,” and explored the healing effects of royal jelly in women with type 2 diabetes.

The researchers sought to confirm royal jelly’s health benefits as both an antioxidant and blood sugar lowering agent, as has been previously reported in preclinical research.

The pilot study involved 50 female subjects with type 2 diabetes who were randomly allocated to receive either a 1,000 mg royal jelly soft gel supplement (25 women) or a placebo (25 women), for 8 weeks.

The women’s blood sugar control indices, antioxidant and oxidative stress factors were measured before and after the intervention with the following results:

“After royal jelly supplementation, the mean fasting blood glucose decreased remarkably (163.05±42.51 mg/dL vs. 149.68±42.7 mg/dL). Royal jelly supplementation resulted in significant reduction in the mean serum glycosylated hemoglobin levels (8.67%±2.24% vs. 7.05%±1.45%, P=0.001) and significant elevation in the mean insulin concentration (70.28±29.16 pmol/L vs. 86.46±27.50 pmol/L, P=0.01). Supplementation significantly increased erythrocyte superoxidase dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and decreased malondialdehyde levels (P<0.05). At the end of study, the mean total antioxidant capacity elevated insignificantly in both groups.”

The authors described the effectiveness of royal jelly had in reducing fasting blood sugar (FBG) as “remarkable,” concluding that “supplementation with RJ may be beneficial for diabetic patients.”

They also discovered an insulin-like property to the royal jelly, which they could not determine was due to the stimulation of new insulin production by the beta cells in the pancreases of the test subjects, or the presence of an insulin-like component within the royal jelly itself.

This is the not the first study to identify an anti-diabetic property to royal jelly. In 2008, a study was published in Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin describing the amelioration of insulin resistance in fructose-fed rats, finding that “Royal Jelly could be an effective functional food to prevent insulin resistance associated with the development of hypertension.”[i]

Also, in 2007, a study published in the Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan found that royal jelly significantly decreased systolic blood pressure and serum levels of insulin in insulin resistant rats.[ii]

The evidence – now from both human  and animal studies – indicates that royal jelly may provide a natural alternative for ameliorating type 2 diabetes. There will never be enough royal jelly, however, to provide sufficient ‘remedy’ to the hundreds of millions who are suffering from type 2 diabetes as a result of a biologically inappropriate diet and incessant chemical exposures, as it is a precious commodity produced by a species of insect that is collapsing under the weight of post-industrial civilization’s toxic fallout.

Royal jelly, while amazing, is only the tip of the honey-coated iceberg. We have dedicated a good amount of time on our database to indexing all the virtues of bee products. To peruse the vast amount of literature on the subject of the health benefits of bee products, take a look at our section: The Health Benefits of Bee Products

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[i] Yoshito Zamami, Shingo Takatori, Mitsuhiro Goda, Toshihiro Koyama, Yukiko Iwatani, Xin Jin, Shima Takai-Doi, Hiromu Kawasaki. Royal jelly ameliorates insulin resistance in fructose-drinking rats. Biol Pharm Bull. 2008 Nov;31(11):2103-7 PMID: 18981581

[ii] Masataka Nomura, Naomi Maruo, Yoshito Zamami, Shingo Takatori, Shima Doi, Hiromu Kawasaki. [Effect of long-term treatment with royal jelly on insulin resistance in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats]. Yakugaku Zasshi. 2007 Nov ;127(11):1877-82. PMID: 17978564

 

© March 18, 2018 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.

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Turmeric Extract May Prevent, Even Reverse Diabetes (Type 1 And 2)

What if the long sought after “cure” for diabetes was as safe, affordable, and accessible as a spice sitting in your kitchen cupboard?

Leave your drugs in the chemist’s pot if you can cure the patient with food.”

-Hippocrates, 420 BC

Slowly but surely the world is waking up to the reality that diabetes is not only a preventable but a reversible condition, and that the drug-based model of symptom suppression and disease management has fatal flaws. For instance, some of the drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes actually increase the risk of death, with a recent study showing GMO insulin given to type 2 diabetics may lead to the development of so-called “double diabetes“: type 2 and type 1 diabetes, together. Clearly, if medicine can’t at least abide by its founding principle to “do no harm,” it must seek the answer somewhere other than from the “chemist’s pot.”

As the pharmaceutically-driven medical paradigm continues to lose adherents by the droves, and the public seeks a system that identifies and resolves the root causes of disease, interest is growing in the use of natural substances and lifestyle modifications to prevent and treat blood sugar disorders. And unlike a few decades ago, where most of the evidence for “natural healing” was anecdotal, there are now thousands of studies on hundreds of natural substances and therapeutic activities that may ameliorate blood sugar disorders and their complications. You can check out a good portion of the relevant research on the topic on GreenMedInfo.com’s blood sugar disorder database.

While plants like cinnamon and gymnema sylvestre have received plenty of attention for diabetes over the years, one special plant extract that is beginning to stand out from the crowd as being exceptionally valuable as an anti-diabetic agent is turmeric. There are, in fact, 21 articles on turmeric’s value in type 2 diabetes on our database alone.

Turmeric’s primary polyphenol curcumin is the main compound in the plant that has been researched for it’s blood sugar regulating properties. One particularly striking study, published in the American Diabetic Association’s own journal, Diabetes Care, found turmeric extract to be 100% effective in preventing pre-diabetics from developing type 2 diabetes — a feat of prevention that no FDA approved drug for type 2 diabetes has yet come even close to accomplishing.

Turmeric Extract May Reverse Pancreatic Damage In Type 1 Diabetes

It turns out that this spice may be a powerful therapeutic intervention for more than just type 2 diabetics. Pre-clinical research now reveals it may have a role in reversing pancreatic damage in insulin-dependent, type 1 diabetics, who are routinely told that their condition can not be cured. Type 1 diabetics are rarely educated to the fact that the root cause of their disorder can be addressed: namely, that the deficiency and/or dysfunction of the beta cells in the pancreas responsible for producing insulin can be repaired, as well as the autoimmune issues at the heart of the problem.

Back in 2013, an exciting study published in the journal Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome titled, “The effect of a novel curcumin derivative on pancreatic islet regeneration in experimental type-1 diabetes in rats (long term study),” found that diabetic rats who received a novel water-soluble, high concentrate (53.21%) curcumin derivative orally for 40 days showed an improvement of their plasma glucose, insulin and C-peptide (a marker for the health and insulin producing capability of the beta cells) levels, that began after about 4 months, and continued to improve until the 10 month mark, when their values were almost completely normalized and evidence of significant pancreatic regeneration could be observed. The researchers concluded the novel curcumin derivative (NCD): “…possesses antidiabetic actions and enhanced pancreatic islets regeneration.”

The daily dose used in this rodent study (80 mg/kg) was the body weight equivalent of 6,400 mg or 6.4 grams of curcumin for an average North American male adult (80 kilograms/176 lbs). Rodent and human physiology is, of course, radically different, but significant crossovers nonetheless do exist. In another article, titled “Why Turmeric May Be the Diseased Liver’s Best Friend,” we reviewed research indicating that turmeric may help to reverse damage in and even regenerate the diabetic liver, as well as safety literature on what is a safe human dose:

A 2001 study in cancer patients reported that quantities of curcumin up to 8 g, administered per day for three months, were not toxic and resulted in significant anti-cancer properties in a number of those treated.[5] Considering that turmeric is only 3-4% curcumin by weight, this implies that a larger quantity of turmeric can be consumed safely, as well.

Given that organ transplantation (pancreatic islet transplants) is exceedingly expensive and prohibitive due to a lack of donor material and the potential for rejection by the host, the notion that a safe, affordable, and non-prescription spice extract like curcumin may have significant therapeutic value and may even regenerate damaged pancreatic tissue, is truly exciting. That said, it should be noted that since curcumin is not patentable, it is unlikely the 800 million dollars or more needed to fund the requisite clinical trials needed to obtain FDA drug approval will materialize. Because the so-called “evidence” needed to justify the use of a new treatment is locked behind an insurmountably high paywall, don’t count on randomized, controlled, trials being performed on this “natural cure” in the near or distant future.

In this study, the authors surmised that the ameliorative effects curcumin treatment on type 1 diabetic rodents observed were the result of beta cell regeneration and they explained the theory behind how this works:

Each tissue or organ is believed to contain a small sub-population of cells that is capable of self-renewal and has the ability to give rise to each mature cell type [47]. Thus, one of the most promising sources of beta cells might be pancreatic stem cells.

The researchers theorized that curcumin likely produces,

“…a favorable systemic and pancreatic environment to foster bone marrow transplantation and islet neogenesis. Accordingly, administration of curcumin; as an established anti-inflammatory and immune modulatory drug; would likely boost and preserve the process of islet regeneration; which was evidently proven true in this study.”

Curcumin’s “immunomodulatory” benefit in type 1 diabetes, also known as autoimmune diabetes, appears to be based on it reducing the activity of the host immune system in attacking self-structures. In fact, another recent study, published in 2014 in the journal Clinical and Experimental Immunology titled, “Curcumin ameliorates autoimmune diabetes. Evidence in accelerated murine models of type 1 diabetes,” found that curcumin down-regulates the T cell response that destroys pancreatic beta cells, resulting in an improvement in autoimmune or type 1 diabetes.

It is important for the reader to know that curcumin is not a magic bullet; nor is it the only natural substance studied to have potential beta cell regenerative properties. Indeed, pancreatic regeneration has been induced experimentally for at least 23 different natural substances. We have a keyword dedicated to indexing relevant research on the topic here: beta cell regeneration. We’ve highlighted 10 of the most compelling ones in our article, “10 Natuaral Substances That Could Help Reverse Diabetes.”

As the research continues to accumulate on the value of natural substances for disease prevention and treatment, it is clear the future of medicine will rely on returning to the wisdom of the ancients, where Hippocrates’ fundamental principle that one can “cure the patient with food” is once again passionately embraced.

 

© February 5, 2018 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.

The post Turmeric Extract May Prevent, Even Reverse Diabetes (Type 1 And 2) appeared first on The Sleuth Journal.

Reversing Type 2 Diabetes Through Fasting

Type 2 diabetes, sometimes referred to as adult-onset diabetes, doesn’t have to be permanent. Fasting and calorie restriction can help you get control of your blood sugar, lower your blood pressure, and even help reverse type 2 diabetes. But, before we get into how fasting can undo the damage of type 2 diabetes, we first need to understand how type 2 diabetes affects the body.

How Does Type 2 Diabetes Develop?

Diabetes develops when fat accumulates in areas of the body that shouldn’t accumulate fat. It all starts with an abundance of fat in your muscle tissue. Typically this is caused by a family history, poor diet, or sedentary lifestyle. This fat is called intramuscular fat. It’s like the marbling on a steak, only it’s inside your muscles, and it causes insulin resistance—the characteristic that distinguishes type 1 diabetes from type 2.^[1, 2] Even worse, intramuscular fat causes muscles to produce toxic fat metabolites like ceramide and diacylglycerol (DAG). These toxins also contribute to insulin resistance.^[3]

High Insulin Levels Lead to a Fatty Liver

When blood sugar is high, the pancreas produces insulin to lower blood sugar. However, insulin resistance causes the liver to stop responding to insulin.^[4, 5] In fact, the liver keeps producing sugar despite a high level of sugar in the blood. Consuming food that’s high in sugar is like throwing gas on the fire, and the abundance of sugar is converted to fat and stored in the liver.^[4]

When the liver accumulates fat, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can develop. When non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is present, the liver releases fat into the bloodstream where it’s distributed to other organs and they, just like the liver, stop responding to insulin. Especially affected is the pancreas.^[5]

Fat Cripples Pancreatic Function

As fat builds up in the pancreas, its function is compromised. Since the pancreas is responsible for producing insulin, this is a major issue. Predictably, insulin production drops. Reducing body fat can help normalize blood sugar, but a lot of people begin insulin injections instead. Insulin injections help in the short-term, but also increase fat formation throughout the body, including the liver and pancreas, which leads to other health issues.^[6] Fortunately, there is a better way.

Reversing Type 2 Diabetes Through Fasting

For almost 150 years, we’ve known that fasting has serious benefits for those with diabetes. In the 1870’s, Dr. Appollinaire Bouchardet, an expert on diabetes during his time, noticed that fasting produced positive results for his diabetic patients.^[7] Over 100 years ago, Dr. Elliott Joslin published research suggesting that fasting could reverse diabetes.^[8] They were among the first to realize that fasting detoxes your tissues and organs of fatty deposits.

Even if someone has had type 2 diabetes for a long time, the results begin almost immediately. If you can start metabolizing the fat in your organs, you can restore insulin sensitivity. And once you restore insulin sensitivity, you can get your blood sugar back on track.^[7, 9]

Are There Possible Complications?

Fasting with type 2 diabetes comes with a few potential health consequences, which is why you should onlybegin a fasting regimen under the watchful eye of a certified health professional who has experience and expertise with helping diabetics through this process. Ideally, have your blood tested throughout the day to monitor your blood composition and overall health. Again, if you have diabetes, do not fast without careful, attentive supervision from qualified and experienced health care professionals.

Fasting vs. Bariatric Surgery

Fasting works similar to bariatric surgery, a gastric surgery that effectively reduces the size of your stomach. One study found that bariatric surgery helped 73% of participants go into diabetic remission.^[10] This kind of surgery, however, is dangerous—both the surgery itself and managing nutrition afterward. There’s the additional consequence of forever having a stomach that’s the size of a shot glass and the difficulties that come with it.^[11]

Instead of going the extreme route with invasive surgery, simply adopt the post-bariatric surgery eating philosophy. After seven days of reduced calorie intake (about 500-600 calories a day), fasting glucose normalizes. After two months on this diet, your pancreas can start producing a normal level of insulin to control blood sugar.^[12, 13]

Reversing Pancreatic Damage

In the last few years, researchers have found that reversing pancreatic damage is possible. Once you clean out the fat, the insulin-producing cells start pumping out insulin again.^[6] Fasting can undo the damage to your liver and pancreas to the point that they begin to function normally again.^[14]

Because it takes a few months to detox your organs of accumulated fat, intermittent fasting is the way to go. With a fasting diet, you can sustain the fast long enough to get rid of the excess fat deposits that lead to type 2 diabetes. Monitor your blood sugar and blood pressure. Break your fast if your blood sugar exceeds 300 mg/dl or drops below 70 mg/dl.

A reduced-calorie plant-based diet may help repair the damage from diabetes. Remarkably, one study found that a well-planned vegan diet can lower insulin dependence by over 60% in just two weeks—without losing any weight.^[15]

Overcoming Diabetes

Small changes lead to small improvements, moderate changes yield moderate improvements, but significant changes lead to extraordinary results. Do what’s right for your body. Follow a healthy diet to lead a healthy life. Cut out refined sugar, starches, and meat and cheese—all of which are consistently shown to promote diabetes.^{[16, 17, 18]}

You can restore your health if you dare to try and have the willpower to stick with it—and I am confident that you do.

Have you tried fasting to reverse your diabetes? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

References (18)

1. Kraegen, E.W., Cooney G.J. “Free fatty acids and skeletal muscle insulin resistance.” Curr Opin Lipidol. 2008 Jun;19(3):235-41. Web. 21 June 2017.


2. Rachek, L.I. “Free fatty acids and skeletal muscle insulin resistance.” Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci. 2014;121:267-92. Web. 21 June 2017.


3. Consitt, Leslie A., Bell, Jill A., and Houmard, Joseph A. “Intramuscular Lipid Metabolism, Insulin Action and Obesity.” IUBMB life 61.1 (2009): 47–55. PMC. Web. 21 June 2017.


4. Sanders, Francis W.B., Griffin, Julian L. “De novo lipogenesis in the liver in health and disease: more than just a shunting yard for glucose.” Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc. 2016 May; 91(2): 452–468. Web. 21 June 2017.


5. Bugianesi, E., Moscatiello, S., Ciaravella, M.F., Marchesini, G. “Insulin resistance in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.” Curr Pharm Des. 2010 Jun;16(17):1941-51. Web. 21 June 2017.


6. Taylor, R. “Banting Memorial Lecture 2012 Reversing the Twin Cycles of Type 2 Diabetes.” Diabetic Medicine 30.3 (2013): 267–275. PMC. Web. 21 June 2017.


7. Steven, S., Lim, E.L., Taylor, R. “Dietary reversal of Type 2 diabetes motivated by research knowledge.” Diabetic Medicine. 10 February 2010. Web. 21 June 2017.


8. Joslin, Elliott P. “The Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus.” Canadian Medical Association Journal 6.8 (1916): 673–684. Web. 21 June 2017.


9. Santomauro A.T., et al. “Overnight lowering of free fatty acids with Acipimox improves insulin resistance and glucose tolerance in obese diabetic and nondiabetic subjects.” Diabetes. 1999 Sep;48(9):1836-41. Web. 21 June 2017.


10. Dixon J.B., et al. “Adjustable Gastric Banding and Conventional Therapy for Type 2 DiabetesA Randomized Controlled Trial.” JAMA. 2008;299(3):316-323. Web. 21 June 2017.


11. “Bariatric Surgery.” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed 21 June 2017.


12. Taylor, Roy. “Type 2 Diabetes: Etiology and Reversibility.” Diabetes Care, Volume 36, April 2013. Web. 21 June 2017.


13. “Fasting diet may help regenerate a diabetic pancreas – National Library of Medicine – PubMed Health.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 21 June 2017.


14. Lim, E.L. “Reversal of type 2 diabetes: normalisation of beta cell function in association with decreased pancreas and liver triacylglycerol.” Diabetologia. 2011 Oct; 54 (10): 2506-14.Web. 21 June 2017.


15. Anderson, J.W., Ward, K. “High-carbohydrate, high-fiber diets for insulin-treated men with diabetes mellitus.” Am J Clin Nutr. 1979 Nov;32(11):2312-21. Web. 21 June 2017.


16. Pan, An, et al. “Red meat consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes: 3 cohorts of US adults and an updated meta-analysis.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Aug, 10. 94(4): 1088-1096. Web. 21 June 2017.


17. Barnard, Neal, Susan Levin, and Caroline Trapp. “Meat Consumption as a Risk Factor for Type 2 Diabetes.” Nutrients 6.2 (2014): 897–910. PMC. Web. 21 June 2017.


18. Vlassara, H., et al. “Inflammatory mediators are induced by dietary glycotoxins, a major risk factor for diabetic angiopathy.” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 Nov 26;99(24):15596-601. Web. 21 June 2017.

The post Reversing Type 2 Diabetes Through Fasting appeared first on The Sleuth Journal.

Prediabetic? How to Reverse it Naturally

Are you one of the 84.1 million people in the United States who has been “pre-diagnosed” with diabetes? If so, here are practical steps you can take today to turn this looming crisis into a lifetime of better health.

Prediabetes, also referred to as impaired glucose tolerance, is the warning shot that says, “Stop now, and turn around.” Typically diagnosed through blood tests, a person is pre-diabetic if blood sugar is above normal, but not high enough for a formal diagnosis of diabetes, when tested on two separate occasions. The range for prediabetes, according to Mayo Clinic, is a fasting blood sugar level of 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L). When blood sugar hits 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two tests, a person has diabetes.¹

Prediabetes affects a full one-third of adults in America, many of whom show no symptoms. According to Center for Disease Control (CDC) Director Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., most of these individuals don’t even know they are prediabetic.² Left untreated, the majority will develop Type 2 diabetes within 5 years. Type 2, or adult-onsetdiabetes, is a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure, heart disease, blindness, neuropathy, leg amputations, and even death. According to the CDC, Type 2 diabetes represents 90% of all diabetes cases in the United States.

A Silent Killer

Diabetes is often called “the silent killer” because by the time a person is diagnosed, irreversible damage may already have been done. Everyone over age 45 is encouraged to do the fasting blood glucose test. If you have any of the following warning signs,³ you should have your blood sugar checked by a health care professional, preferably one versed in integrative and/or functional medicine.

• Feeling very thirsty or hungry, despite having eaten or drank


• Extreme fatigue


• Blurred vision


• Hypoglycemia (typically experienced 2-3 hours after meals)


• Tingling or pain in your extremities


• Unexplained weight loss


• Frequent infections (urinary, vaginal, groin)


• Slow healing of wounds; extreme bruising


• Chronically dry, itchy skin

When it comes to disease, prevention is always preferable to treatment. And Type 2 diabetes is a totally preventable disease! Consider a diagnosis of prediabetes an opportunity to make lifestyle changes for the better, so you can shift these indicators back in the direction of good health.

How to Turn the Tide

Don’t let a diagnosis of prediabetes derail your future plans. This epidemic is largely preventable by following a few conscientious diet and lifestyle tips. In fact, Type 2 diabetes is proven to respond better to lifestyle interventions than to pharmaceutical drug treatment, many of which carry their own significant harms.⁴

The following good-health practices help to regulate blood sugar, and are critical for anyone diagnosed with prediabetes. They should also be practiced by pregnant women, or women who wish to become pregnant, due to the risk of gestational diabetes. Additionally, you may wish to take these preventative steps if you are currently overweight, have high blood pressure, or a family history of diabetes.

• Eat more fruits and vegetables.

Hands-down, the most important factor in managing diabetes is regulating blood sugar balance. This is best achieved through diet. While there is still some debate on exactly which diet is best, eating more organic fruits and vegetables is one thing that everyone agrees on.

Increasing your intake of fruits and veg is a big win for your health, and this is especially true for those at risk of diabetes. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), diets that are high in insoluble fiber may offer the best protection against this disease.⁵

While some people believe that fruit has too much sugar for a diabetic, the high concentrations of water and cellulose, a type of insoluble fiber, keep the sugars from rushing into the blood all at once, as happens with food and drinks sweetened with refined sugars. Eating lots of fresh fruit can also help stave off cravings for other sweet foods. Also, there is relatively new research indicating that the recommendation for diabetics to reduce fruit consumption has always been just plain wrong.

Aim for around 40 grams of fiber per day, consumed in smaller meals spaced evenly throughout the day.

Smoking cigarettes is one of the leading causes of preventable diabetes. Smoking increases a person’s likelihood of developing diabetes by as much as 40% over nonsmokers. Smoking also complicates insulin-dosing and makes it more difficult to effectively manage the disease.⁶

Smoking brings its own risk-factors, such as lung cancer, emphysema, and heart disease. But people with diabetes who smoke also increase their odds of developing life-threatening complications from their disease. Smoking impedes blood flow to the extremities, increasing neuropathy and the risks of infections and ulcers that can lead to amputation. Smoking also increases the odds a diabetic will develop heart and kidney disease.

For diabetics, smoking is like putting a match to a powder keg. For more information, check out the Surgeon General’s report on 50 years of health consequences from smoking. Then find a smoking cessation program, such as the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking, and drop this dangerous habit- for life!

• Reduce your BMI.

There is evidence to support the benefits of more than one type of diet in controlling diabetes, but they all share one compelling feature: reduced body fat mass. A 2016 ⁷study followed 32 patients with Type 2 diabetes who applied the Paleolithic diet for 12 weeks. This diet emphasized vegetables and fruits, and protein from nuts, eggs, fish, and lean meat. Subjects avoided refined sugars, grains and dairy products.

The Paleo dieters not only became leaner, with improved body mass index overall, the percentage of fat retained in the midsection, a big indicator of diabetes, also improved. Blood sugar balance and insulin sensitivity were stabilized, and resting heart rate and blood pressure decreased. One participant was able to stop their diabetes medication, metformin, and two additional participants were able to stop their blood pressure medication. Not bad for 12 weeks!

Vegan diets also show tremendous results. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines recommend limiting animal fats, based on the results of studies in which a whopping 43% of test subjects placed on vegan diets were able to reduce their diabetes medications. The vegan group also improved their lipid profile by lowering total and LDL cholesterol levels.

The bottom line is, no one diet fits the needs of all people. By lowering body fat and improving BMI, you are adding powerful indicators for reversing diabetes.

Physical activity is a key factor in reducing the risk of diabetes. Diet has been the primary focus of researchers until recently, when exercise was shown through a series of compelling studies,⁸ to be far more important to improving the health of diabetics than previously understood.

Regular exercise helps in so many ways it’s virtually indispensable. Three to four weekly sessions of moderate physical activity work to:

• Stabilize blood sugar


• Improve BMI and reduce overall weight


• Lower blood pressure


• Decrease LDL and “bad” cholesterol


• Increase cardiovascular health, and reduce the risks of heart attack and heart and lung disease

By changing the way muscles utilize fuel, exercise increases efficient use of calories by the body. It improves metabolism of sugars, fats, and proteins in the blood, with a greater reliance on carbohydrates to fuel muscular activity. And the benefits of exercise are far-reaching.

A September 2017 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, followed a group of middle-aged and older adults with Type 2 diabetes on a 9-month supervised exercise program. Researchers concluded that low-cost, community-based exercise programs achieved “significant benefits on glycemic control, lipid profile, blood pressure, anthropometric profile, and the 10-year risk of coronary artery disease.”⁹

Besides the obvious costs to one’s health, people with diagnosed diabetes have an average of two-and-a-half times the medical expenditures of a non-diabetic.¹⁰ Finding free and low-cost solutions that minimize out-of-pocket expenses can be challenging, which makes exercise even more valuable. Both aerobic and anaerobic, or weight-bearing exercises, provide these life-changing benefits, and it’s best to do a mix of both. Find a sport or activity that you enjoy, and make your heart pump and sing at the same time!

Healthy living starts at home, and the risks of diabetes come from factors that YOU control. Find support groups in your community, and make it a family affair. For more information, explore the resources on the GreenMedInfo database, and start living a lifestyle that sets a course for a long, healthy future.

• Incorporate healing spices and foods

The GreenMedInfo database contains research on over 70 natural substances which have been demonstrated experimentally or clinically to reduce the risk of diabetes, including the turmeric polyphenol known as curcumin, which as we reported on in the article, “Turmeric Extract 100% Effective At Preventing Type 2 Diabetes, ADA Journal Study Finds,” was proven 100% effective clinically at preventing the transition from prediabetes to diabetes type 2. Learn more at our even more robust Type 2 Diabetes research center, wherein resides research on the therapeutic potential of about 300 natural substances in preventing or treating type 2 diabetes, naturally.

---

References

1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20033091

2. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2017/p0718-diabetes-report.html

3. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/symptoms

4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19878986

5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3977406/

6. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/50th-anniversary/index.htm

7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5402870/

8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2992225/

9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28902144#

10. http://www.diabetes.org/advocacy/news-events/cost-of-diabetes.html

© September 24, 2017 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.

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Is The Cure For Diabetes A Humble Root?

Billions are spent annually and still there is no conventional cure for diabetes. Or is there a cheap, safe and freely available solution already growing beneath our feet?  

Diabetes is a very big business, representing tens of billion of dollars in pharmaceutical drug sales annually. Tragically, while the number of diabetes diagnoses continue to expand globally the drugs themselves, including recombinant (GMO produced) insulin, appear to actually increase mortality. Upton Sinclair nailed the problem on its head when he stated:

It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.”

In other words, the resistance within the conventional medical system against finding both the causes and the cures for the diabetes epidemic is institutional, economically-motivated, and fundamentally unethical.

This happens to be why GreenMedInfo.com continues to enjoy expanding popularity around the world. There is no shortage of research on natural solutions to both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but with the mainstream media’s primary funding coming from Big Pharma, the storylines either completely ignore or are pitted against the natural solutions we regularly report on. Back in 2014, for instance, we reported on a truly groundbreaking finding published in the American Diabetes Association’s very own journal, Diabetes Care, which found a turmeric extract (curcumin) was 100% effective in preventing the progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes (type 2).

Obviously, turmeric possesses a wide range of side benefits, making this finding all the more promising for those under conventional care. Clearly, if these spectacular results had been obtained through an FDA approved drug instead of a plant that grows freely, it would have made global headlines as one of the greatest achievements of modern pharmaceutical medicine history.

Fortunately, it appears that academic interest in turmeric and diabetes is picking up.

A new report, focused on the work of an Indian scientist, Professor Manohar Gang, working out o the University of Newcastle’s Nutraceuticals Research Group, suggests that turmeric’s anti-diabetic properties are related to its well known anti-inflammatory properties. Professor Gang is presently designing a clinical trial that will look at this connection in depth:

The root cause of type 2 diabetes is systemic inflammation, which impacts insulin secretion and function” Professor Garg explains. “We want to nip the inflammation in the bud.”

Professor Gang is leading a randomized, controlled trial that will test the effects of both turmeric and omega-3 fatty acids:

“The anti-inflammatory mechanisms surrounding curcumin and omega-3 fats are different, so we want to test if they complement each other and have treatment synergies beyond their individual effects,” Professor Garg added. “Our thinking is that the combination is safe, free of any side- effects and may prove to be as effective as drugs used for management of diabetes”.

Greenmedinfo.com already houses a wide range of studies on both turmeric and omega-3 fatty acid’s anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties, along with extensive research on over 1700 other natural substances.

You can view the anti-type 1 Diabetes research on turmeric here, and the anti-type 2 Diabetes research on turmeric here. Or, take a look at the 120 studies on our database on turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties.  You can also explore the role of omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation reduction and blood sugar balancing on our omega-3 database page here.

But don’t be mesmerized by magic bullets.

It should be noted that while turmeric and/or omega-3 fatty acids may provide a greatly superior alternative to conventional drug therapy for blood sugar disorders like type 1 and type 2 diabetes, there is a tendency to mistakenly over-identify with the allopathic model of disease by simply reproducing the same assumptions and addressing symptoms palliatively with would-be “nutraceutical magic bullets.” It is not our intention to replicate or reinforce these misunderstandings. A truly sustainable and root-cause-resolution oriented approach to managing and even resolving diabetes would look at factors such as heavy metal and petrochemical accumulations, hormone imbalance, nutritional incompatibilities, deficiencies and excesses, lack of adequate exercise, mind-body stress reduction techniques and mindfulness, etc. It is only through addressing the whole person that you can arrive at a true resolution of the underlying conditions that have lead one to a conventional diagnosis. For further research to support you in your task, visit our Health Guide: Blood Sugar Disorders, which collates both the first-hand biomedical research on natural/functional medical interventions, as well as articles aimed to translate in lay person terminology the import of these studies.

Also, learn more about turmeric’s amazing health benefits in our video below: 

© August 19, 2017 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.

4 Things You Should Do If You Have Type 2 Diabetes

If you have type 2 diabetes, you already know your blood sugar levels can get too high. Your body develops a problem called insulin resistance where it doesn’t use insulin normally. While your pancreas can create insulin to offset the issue, that only works so well. And while the rate of diabetes seems to be levelling off in the U.S., this is still a very serious issue. ^[1] If you have type 2 diabetes, here are some things you should really know (and do).

1. Get Mental Health Coaching

For those living with type 2 diabetes, depression is more common than you think. Depression is a serious issue that can interfere with the ability of people to take care of themselves, reducing the motivation to exercise, eat healthy, or even take medications. ^[2] Many times, these things are crucial to managing the disease. That’s why mental health coaching can be so important; it could not only help with depression, but also reduce blood sugar levels. Your body and mind will thank you!

2. Eat a Better Diet

Another easy thing you can do is change your eating habits. A recent study suggests eating better over time—choosing more fruits and vegetables or eating whole grains, for example—could reduce your chances for Type 2 diabetes by about 20 percent. ^[3] No idea where to start? Here are some diet choices you might like, but remember to always talk with your doctor before making any changes—especially if you’re taking medication or insulin:

Since diabetes is associated with carbohydrate intolerance, a low carb diet could be a great option for reducing blood sugar and lowering the risk for heart disease. ^[4] Some evidence suggests lowering your salt to lower your risk for heart disease by half. ^[5] Unless you’re a vegan, eating more eggs could be a great way to lower your risk for type 2 diabetes. ^[6] Adding beneficial herbs like rosemary and oregano to your meals could work in much the same way as medications used to control blood sugar. ^[7]

3. Exercise

When a person already has type 2 diabetes, excess sugars and fats in the blood make cardiovascular risks higher. While exercise has always been a popular common-sense prescription, one study suggests exercise might be most effective after a meal. ^[8] But it’s not just adults that can benefit, of course! Why not take time as a family for some after-dinner exercise? And kids should also think about putting down those digital distractions, too. One study suggests “heavy use of electronic media […] especially watching too much TV and videos, was linked to higher levels of (cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes) risk factors in children.” ^[9]

4. Reduce Your Stress Levels

Are you facing lots of deadlines at work? Workplace stress could even be a factor for type 2 diabetes. For the first time, researchers have found a possible connection between the two with the latest study suggesting people under high stress levels at work are almost 45 percent more likely to develop type 2. ^[10] Looking into meditation can be a great help.

One Final Thought

Remember, you can make changes in your life to get your type 2 diabetes under control, but act now to protect your overall health! One study suggests people with type 2 could perform worse on “cognitive tests measuring abilities involved in the control of emotions, behaviors and thought.” ^[11] Another comments “women with diabetes may be predisposed to more advanced stage breast cancer.” ^[12]

So what do you do for your type 2 diabetes? Tell us about it in the comments.

References:

1. Geiss, L. S. et al. Prevalence and Incidence Trends for Diagnosed Diabetes Among Adults Aged 20 to 79 Years, United States, 1980-2012. JAMA. 312 (12).


2. American Association of Diabetes Educators. Mental health coaching improves outcomes for people with diabetes, depression. ScienceDaily.


3. American Diabetes Association. Improving diet quality reduces risk for type 2 diabetes. ScienceDaily.


4. Feinman, R. D. et al. Dietary Carbohydrate restriction as the first approach in diabetes management. Critical review and evidence base. Nutrition. 31 (1).


5. Horiakwa, C. et al. Dietary Sodium Intake and Incidence of Diabetes Complications in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes – Analysis of the Japan Diabetes Complications Study (JDCS). The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 99 (10).


6. Virtanen J. K. et al. Egg consumption and risk of incident type 2 diabetes in men: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.


7. Bower, A. L. et al. Bioactive Compounds from Culinary Herbs Inhibit a Molecular Target for Type 2 Diabetes Management, Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 62 (26).


8. Heden, T. D. et al. Post-dinner resistance exercise improves postprandial risk factors more effectively than pre-dinner resistance exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Applied Physiology. 118 (5).


9. Väistö, J. et al. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in relation to cardiometabolic risk in children: cross-sectional findings from the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) Study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 11 (1).


10. Huth, C. et al. ob Strain as a Risk Factor for the Onset of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Findings From the MONICA/KORA Augsburg Cohort Study. Psychosomatic Medicine. 76 (7).


11. Corita, V. & Hall, P. A. Executive Function in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-Analytic Review. Psychosomatic Medicine.


12. Lipscombe, L. L. et al. The association between diabetes and breast cancer stage at diagnosis: A population-based study. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.