33. Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus, or sugar diabetes, is a condition in which the body is unable to properly metabolize sugar.

The pancreas fails to produce either effective or sufficient insulin, a hormone, which controls blood sugar levels.   The result is hyperglycemia – excessive sugar in the blood stream.

Symptoms include increased hunger and thirst, excessive urination, weight loss and fatigue.  Your body’s ability to metabolize fat is affected and small blood vessels deteriorate.  The disease hampers your body’s ability to fight infections.  If untreated it can cause blindness and kidney damage, and increase your risk of heart attacks and other complications.

Complex Carbohydrates

Juvenile-onset diabetes and adult-onset diabetes are different.

Juvenile diabetes is a result of a damaged pancreas causing insufficient insulin.  This kind is difficult to cure.  A good diet can only help somewhat.

In adult-onset diabetes enough insulin is produced but the effects of a diet rich in fats and sugars block its utilization.  When a low-fat diet based on complex carbohydrates (unrefined grains, vegetables, legumes) is followed for several weeks most diabetics experience dramatic improvement.

Limiting greasy, fatty foods (meats, eggs, cheeses, butter, excess oil and nuts and seeds) and avoiding denatured foods (refined flours and sugars), hydrogenated, synthetic fats (margarine, shortening) and very sweet, salty and spicy foods.  Avoid late-night eating. Small frequent meals (4-5 per day) help to stimulate insulin production.

Nutritionists have identified chromium, manganese and zinc as factors that control blood sugar levels. 

These minerals are removed in the refining process.  Depending on the depth of symptoms, most diabetics who greatly improve their diet as suggested, show significant improvement within, at most, a few months.  It is not uncommon for insulin to become unnecessary.

Check with your medical professionals and let him know of your improved diet, they may recommend reducing dosage gradually.

You may also be interested in these herbs for diabetes: Fenugreek , Phyllanthus , Psyllium , Stevia