Manage symptoms with alternative treatments-Type 2 diabetes doesn’t just affect blood sugar and insulin secretion. It also can lead to a host of other problems including kidney damage, blood vessel thickening, nerve damage and pain. Find out more below about common alternative and complementary methods, vitamins, minerals, herbs and foods used to treat type 2 diabetes and other conditions associated with it.
Type 2 Diabetes Remedies -Alternative Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes
Learn more about alternative methods to manage your blood sugar and avoid complications—Prevention.com [PVNAlertDiabetes@preventionnews.delivery.net]
Remedies A-B
In a double-blind study of people with diabetic neuropathy, supplementing with acetyl-L-carnitine was significantly more effective than a placebo in improving subjective symptoms of neuropathy and objective measures of nerve function. People who received 1,000 mg of acetyl-L-carnitine three times per day tended to fare better than those who received 500 mg three times per day.
Read more about Acetyl L-Carnitine
Two small controlled human trials have found that aloe, either alone or in combination with the oral hypoglycemic drug, glibenclamide, effectively lowers blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful natural antioxidant. Preliminary and double blind trials have found that supplementing 600 to 1,200 mg of lipoic acid per day improves insulin sensitivity and the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. In a preliminary study, supplementing with 600 mg of alpha lipoic acid per day for 18 months slowed the progression of kidney damage in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Read more about Alpha Lipoic Acid
In a small pilot study, 3 grams of American ginseng was found to lower the rise in blood sugar following the consumption of a drink high in glucose by people with type 2 diabetes.
Read more about American Ginseng
Because oxidation damage is believed to play a role in the development of diabetic retinopathy, antioxidant nutrients might be protective. One doctor has administered a daily regimen of 500 mcg selenium, 800 IU vitamin E, 10,000 IU vitamin A, and 1,000 mg vitamin C for several years to 20 people with diabetic retinopathy. During that time, 19 of the 20 people showed either improvement or no progression of their retinopathy. People who wish to supplement with more than 250 mcg of selenium per day should consult a healthcare practitioner.
A double-blind trial found that 200 mg of Asian ginseng per day improved blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Preliminary studies on holy basil and hairy basil have shown that the leaf and seed may help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels. While the action-mechanism of the leaf is not understood, the seed may work by providing dietary fiber, which helps prevent rapid blood sugar elevations after meals.
Anthocyanosides, the flavonoid complex in bilberries, are potent antioxidants. They support normal formation of connective tissue and strengthen capillaries in the body. Anthocyanosides may also improve capillary and venous blood flow. Bilberry may also prevent blood vessel thickening due to type 2 diabetes.
Biotin is a B vitamin needed to process glucose. When people with type 2 diabetes were given 9 mg of biotin per day for two months, their fasting glucose levels dropped dramatically. Biotin may also reduce pain from diabetic nerve damage. Some doctors try 9 to 16 mg of biotin per day for a few weeks to see if blood sugar levels will fall.
At least three different groups of constituents in bitter melon have been reported to have blood-sugar lowering actions of potential benefit in type 2 diabetes. These include a mixture of steroidal saponins known as charantin, insulin-like peptides, and alkaloids. It is still unclear which of these is most effective, or if all three work together. Some clinical trials have confirmed the benefit of bitter melon for people with diabetes.
5 Drug-Free Steps to Reverse Diabetes—-
5 Drug-Free Steps to Reverse Diabetes
Here’s a cold hard fact (followed by some good news—we swear!): Most of the drugs on the market—and especially ones for diabetics—cannot make your disease go away. Instead, they mask your symptoms, creating a cycle of pill popping that can be tiring and expensive. Here’s another: Some food can make you sick. We aren’t talking about that occasional pint of ice cream on movie night. We mean the basic foods you eat every single day. The upside? Your prescription for undoing that damage—and curing your symptoms—is right there in your kitchen.
It sounds simple, but it’s true: Easy meal swaps can dramatically and quickly change your life—and your disease—for the better, without costly prescriptions and inconvenient doctor’s appointments. In fact, some people can even reverse their disease simply by eating the right foods—and our 5-step Diabetes Without Drugs, by natural healing expert, Suzy Cohen, R.Ph., will show you how.
If you have diabetes, then you know it’s a head-to-toe disease—and reaching for the painkillers every time your feet swell up just isn’t going to help you feel better in the long run. But our all-natural approach gives you natural kitchen cures that can prevent future problems before they start—and reverse the ones you already have.
It’s not fair, we know—and if you have diabetes, you know that more than anyone. But if you think you’re destined to a life of drugs and deprivation, then it’s time for you to read Diabetes Without Drugs. We’ll have you feeling better in no time.
Boost Fruits & Vegetables to Reduce Diabetes Risk- http://www.worldhealth.net/news/boost-fruits-vegetables-reduce-diabetes-risk/
Posted on 2012-05-01 06:00:00 in Diabetes|Diet
Eating an abundant and varied selection of fruits and vegetables has been associated with a wide variety of health benefits, most notably for cardiovascular and metabolic health. Andrew Cooper, from Addenbrooke Hospital (United Kingdom), and colleagues analyzed data involving 3,700 men and women, correlating the incidence of diabetes with fruit and vegetable intake over an 11 year period. The team found that study subjects who ate the most fruits and vegetables combined were at 21% lower risk of type-2 diabetes, as compared to those who ate the least. Additionally, a greater variety of fruits and vegetables consumed was found to further lower the incidence of diabetes. The team concludes that: “a diet characterized by a greater quantity of vegetables and a greater variety of both [fruit and vegetable] intake is associated with a reduced risk of [type-2 diabetes].”
Andrew J. Cooper, Stephen J. Sharp, Marleen A.H. Lentjes, Robert N. Luben, Kay-Tee Khaw, Nicholas J. Wareham, Nita G. Forouhi. “A Prospective Study of the Association Between Quantity and Variety of Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Incident Type 2 Diabetes.” Diabetes Care, April 3, 2012.
MetaCure treats diabetes without meds –Israel21c; www.israel21c.org
By Abigail Klein Leichman
July 17, 2011
Attached to the stomach in a minimally invasive procedure, the Israeli-innovated device frees diabetics from pills and injections.
DIAMOND is attached via electrodes to the stomach muscles.
As disturbing new figures emerge that show that 350 million people worldwide now suffer from Type 2 diabetes, according to a recently published study by the World Health Organization and the Gates Foundation, and with the number of people suffering the metabolic disease rising dramatically every year, the race is on for long-term, effective cures.
Israeli medical device company MetaCure is beginning to commercialize its innovative minimally invasive solution, DIAMOND, which received the European Union’s CE mark in 2007 and is undergoing additional clinical trials.
An implantable gastric stimulator with electrodes attached through laparoscopic surgery to the outer stomach muscles, DIAMOND enhances stomach muscle contractions, which are the natural physiological response to eating. This causes the patient to feel full more quickly during a meal. It also affects the gastrointestinal (GI) system’s release of hormones influencing hunger, satiety and the absorption and metabolism of nutrients.
Initially it was meant as a treatment for obesity, which is one of the risk factors for diabetes. However, according to MetaCure business development director Lior Teitelbaum, DIAMOND was found to be effective independently in controlling blood glucose (sugar) levels. People with diabetes, the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, have abnormally high blood glucose because their bodies either don’t produce insulin or don’t use it properly.
Normalizes blood pressure and other diabetes-related conditions
“We have over 230 patients implanted with it worldwide, and we’ve seen the system reduces blood glucose levels significantly,” says Teitelbaum, adding that its results are similar or better than the effects of synthetic insulin and other diabetes medications.
Patients implanted with DIAMOND also show improvement in diabetes-associated metabolic conditions such as high blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides.
“Usually they need drugs to control each of these conditions, and that leads to problems of drug interactions and compliance,” says Teitelbaum. Many of the current pharmaceuticals used to treat Type 2 diabetes pose a burden because they must be refrigerated and injected.
This is why the search is on to find a comprehensive treatment that doesn’t depend on medication and has minimal compliance requirements. “Our solution reduces weight an average of five kilos [about 11 pounds], improves the blood lipids profile, reduces blood pressure and can even improve liver function,” says Teitelbaum.
The device can be removed or stay in the body indefinitely. It has many advantages over bariatric or “weight-loss” surgery, a drastic measure that can be used only on morbidly obese people and comes with serious lifelong side effects. “We feel confident about DIAMOND’s clean safety profile, unlike drugs that are artificial chemical entities that affect the entire body, or major surgery and its associated risks.”
Turns on when it’s needed
Teitelbaum tells ISRAEL21c that DIAMOND is unique among similar approaches in gastric stimulation because it enhances, rather than artificially paces, stomach contractions. And it is not on continuously, kicking into gear only when its eating detection sensor is activated.
Implanted during a minimally invasive procedure with about a day’s recovery period, the device doesn’t require any action by the patient except for a 45-minute weekly recharging, which is done at home while reading or watching TV. Every three to six months, the patient is checked out by a MetaCure clinical technician to make sure the system is aligned properly with personal physiological patterns.
Successful studies have been completed in Europe and the United States, and additional randomized and comparative studies continue in Europe and Hong Kong, while partners are being lined up for a larger American study toward FDA approval.
DIAMOND is commercially available in Europe but reimbursable only in Germany for now. Teitelbaum projects that over the next two or three years, the device will be introduced to the wider market.
MetaCure, a privately held company spun out of Impulse Dynamics in 2003, has a field office in Dusseldorf and its management, clinical and technology research center in Kfar Saba, Israel.
Omega-3s may reduce diabetes risk: 3 studies compare plant & marine sources
Increased blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids from plant or marine sources are associated with reduced risk of type-2 diabetes, according to three new studies in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Dr. Joseph Mercola wrote:
DID YOU KNOW.that drinking one sweetened drink a day can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes by 25 percent compared to consuming one sugar-rich drink per month? Make sure you review what you eat or drink. There may be hidden sources of sugar/fructose.
| Special Report on Blood Sugar | |
| Dr. David Williams, Editor of ALTERNATIVES | |
| Shortcut for Excellent Blood Sugar! |
Blood sugar levels improved! Click for “How To”  No more spikes! Why… |
| Thanks to a powerful NEW combination of nutrients that promote NORMAL blood sugar… CLICK HERE to learn about the latest discoveries in natural healing for YOUR BLOOD SUGAR… |
 Eating dessert again!How about you? |
| Find out the easy, fast way for great blood sugar! (Click here for the answer.) |
Better sugar after dinner!  Before meals too!! |
Doctor isn’t worried anymore!  In fact, he says… |
|
| bbb seal Mountain Home Nutritionals 700 Indian Springs Drive Lancaster, PA 17601 |
|
New Therapies for Cancer & Diabetes Reported at A4M Spring 2012 Congress
Posted on May 23, 2012, 2:02 p.m. in A4M in the Media| Industry News |
More than 2,200 participants from the medical, scientific, and business arenas involved in preventative medicine convened May 17-19, 2012 for the Spring 2012 Session of the 20th Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. Taking place in Orlando, Florida USA, the program featured over 60 speakers who presented cutting-edge clinical and research breakthroughs in advanced preventive medicine, specifically focused on the prevention and treatment of the diseases and disabilities associated with the biological process of aging.
Ronald Klatz, MD, DO, A4M President, welcomed delegates to the Spring 2012 World Congress on Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine, and outlined A4M outreach initiates
Robert Goldman, MD, PhD, DO, FAASP, A4M Chairman, continued the Spring Session Opening Remarks and highlighted the A4M co-supported postgraduate medical educational programs available worldwide
Co-sponsored by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M; www.worldhealth.net), the academic leader in a worldwide movement in advanced preventative medicine involving 100,000+ physicians, health practitioners, and scientists from 120 countries, The Spring 2012 Session of the 20th Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine featured clinical and research breakthroughs in advanced preventative medicine that included:
Special Guest speaker and celebrity author Suzanne Somers received ovations from a standing-room only audience when she recognized delegates for their perseverance in innovating a progressive model for preventative healthcare
Mark Houston, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Clinical Medicine at Vanderbillt University School of Medicine, submitted that we are “On the Precipice of a Revolution in the Treatment of Heart Disease”
Terry Grossman, MD, author in the field of longevity medicine, shared data suggesting a role for Metformin as a life extension therapy
Pamela W. Smith, MD, MPH, Director of the Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine Fellowship, presented “New Treatments for Insulin Resistance and Diabetes”
Mark Rosenberg, MD, Director of the Fellowship in Integrative Cancer Therapy, presented data on “Telomeres, Aging and Cancer”
Observes Dr. Ronald Klatz, A4M President: “Historically, the physicians and scientists involved in anti-aging science have been the first to embrace innovative medical discoveries and technological advancements that have subsequently been mainstreamed. At the A4M World Congresses held continuously since 1993, over 100,000 physicians, health practitioners, and scientists have been among the first to learn of revolutionary life-enhancing, life-extending discoveries such as: the hormone melatonin as a cancer-fighting agent, the identification of homocysteine as a marker for heart disease, the role of Vitamin D beyond bone health, and more.” Dr. Robert Goldman, A4M Chairman, adds: “The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) enters its third decade of educational service, and we celebrate the pioneering achievements of the anti-aging scientific movement. Tomorrow’s medicine is here today, and we commend Congress delegates for their foresight in attending in this world-renowned scientific program.”
At the co-located Orlando Anti-Aging Exposition afforded over 200 corporate leaders a prime opportunity to network with the most concentrated and focused audience of decision-making buyers of progressive preventive health products and services.
Two Grams of this Household Spice Lowered Blood Sugar by a Whopping 62 mg/dl
The popular spice cumin has a long history of medicinal use. It has been used to treat various symptoms including diarrhea, flatulence, gynecological, and respiratory diseases. But a new study looked at a different effect of cumin — its ability to enhance memory and relieve stress.
Daily administration of cumin to rats inhibited stress-induced urinary biochemical changes. Memory and cognition, as determined by acquisition, retention, and recovery in the rats, was also observed to be enhanced by cumin.
According to the study, as reported by Green Med Info:
“This study provides scientific support for the antistress, antioxidant, and memory-enhancing activities of cumin extract and substantiates that its traditional use as a culinary spice in foods is beneficial and scientific in combating stress and related disorders.”
Dr. Mercola’s Comments:
Every time you flavor your meals with herbs or spices you are upgrading the nutrient content of your food without adding a single calorie. You are taking something ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary by adding color, flavor, vitamins, and often medicinal properties.
Cumin (not to be confused with curcumin, the active ingredient in the spice turmeric), is a common household spice that historically has been used to treat symptoms such as:
. Diarrhea
. Flatulence
. Respiratory diseases
However, more recent research into the health effects of this spice suggests its benefits go far beyond that.
Cumin May Enhance Memory and Help Reduce Stress
According to a recent animal study published in July 2011, cumin appears to have anti-stress properties. Rats were given cumin daily, at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight, one hour before being stressed. The results showed that the cumin inhibited stress-induced biochemical changes in a dose-dependent manner. Memory and cognition were also found to be dose-dependent.
The authors concluded that:
“This study provides scientific support for the anti-stress, antioxidant, and memory-enhancing activities of cumin extract and substantiates that its traditional use as a culinary spice in foods is beneficial and scientific in combating stress and related disorders.”
The antioxidant activity of cumin was also evaluated in a 2009 study, which found that the spice (along with others, such as caraway, coriander, dill and fennel) was far more potent than vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
The Many Health Benefits of Cumin
Green Med Info has compiled a list of research into the health benefits of black cumin (Nigella Sativa), which includes:
| Anti-diabetic effect in type 2 diabetics | Protecting against and attenuating aflatoxicosis | Alleviating symptoms of allergic rhinitis | Reducing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis |
| Reducing asthma symptoms | Reducing damage caused by cadmium poisoning | Antifungal activity against candidasis | May serve as prophylactic against chemical warfare agents |
Cumin May Be Helpful for Diabetics
Two health benefits that may be of particular interest to a majority of people are its anti-diabetic and anti-asthmatic effects. In one 2010 study, black cumin seeds were found to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Here, the seeds were used in conjunction with regular anti-diabetic medications. Nintety-four patients were randomly divided into three groups receiving different doses of the cumin seeds; either one, two, or three grams per day, for three months.
The group receiving two grams of cumin seeds per day saw the greatest improvement, reducing their blood glucose by an average of 62 mg/dl at eight weeks. The lower- and higher-dose groups also experienced reductions in blood glucose, but none as great as those receiving the two gram/day dose. The authors concluded that:
“The results of this study indicate that a dose of 2 gm/ day of Nigella sativa might be a beneficial adjuvant to oral hypoglycemic agents in type 2 diabetic patients.”
A study published earlier this year concluded that black cumin’s anti-diabetic effects appear to be rooted in its ability to improve insulin sensitivity.
Another common spice of particular interest to diabetics is cinnamon, which also has “insulin-like” effects. For example, just half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day has been shown to significantly reduce blood sugar levels, triglycerides, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. In another earlier study, cinnamon was found to increase glucose metabolism 20-fold! Many believe it’s a very viable contender in the fight against diabetes.
Cumin has Potent Anti-Asthma Effects
A number of studies have also indicated that cumin may be helpful for asthmatics. Here are three of the most recent studies confirming cumin’s anti-asthmatic effects:
1.Black cumin seeds and its oils have historically been used to treat respiratory diseases, including asthma. In one study, thymoquinone (TQ), one of the primary active ingredients in cumin seeds, was found to be instrumental, by reducing two inflammatory mediators of asthma and other inflammatory processes.
2.Another study from last year confirmed the anti-asthmatic effect of black cumin seeds, showing it acts as a bronchodilator. Here, the researchers used a boiled extract of the cumin seeds.
3.According to research published in 2009, black cumin seeds also act as a relaxant, and display both anticholinergic (reducing spasms in smooth muscle) and antihistaminic (blocking allergic reactions) effects. In this study, the thymoquinone (TQ) in black cumin seeds was found to be superior to the asthma drug fluticasone (a synthetic glucocorticoid)!
General Health Benefits of Herbs and Spices—A Little Can Go a Long Way!
It may be helpful to know that herbs and spices are actually some of the most potent antioxidants in your food supply; in many instances surpassing other more well-known sources of antioxidants. For example, spices such as cloves and cinnamon have phenol levels that are 30 percent and 18 percent of dry weight, respectively. Compare that to blueberries, which are widely touted for their antioxidant capabilities; they contain roughly five percent phenol by dry weight…
Another example is oregano, which has 42 times more antioxidant activity than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges, and four times more than blueberries! One tablespoon of fresh oregano contains the same antioxidant activity as one medium-sized apple. I personally love oregano and grow it in my garden every year, as it is a perennial plant and faithfully comes back. It is easy to harvest in late summer and fall, and dehydrate and store for future use.
While each spice has a unique set of health benefits to offer, one study, published in theJournal of Medicinal Foods, found a direct correlation between the antioxidant phenol content and the spice’s ability to inhibit glycation and the formation of AGE compounds, making them potent preventers of heart disease and premature aging.
According to this study, the top 10 most potent herbs and spices are:
| 1. Cloves (ground) | 2. Cinnamon (ground) |
| 3. Jamaican allspice (ground) | 4. Apple pie spice (mixture) |
| 5. Oregano (ground) | 6. Pumpkin pie spice (mixture) |
| 7. Marjoram | 8. Sage |
| 9. Thyme | 10. Gourmet Italian spice |
But it’s not just about antioxidants. Herbs and spices also contain a number of other nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and various compounds with medicinal properties that make them a very valuable addition to your diet. Herbs and spices also make your diet more thermogenic, meaning they naturally increase your metabolism. Some spices, such as red pepper flakes, can also increase your feeling of satiety, helping you eat less.
For more information about the specific health benefits of the different herbs and spices on your spice rack, please review the related articles below.
Sources:
· Pharmaceutical Biology July 2011; 49(7): 702-708
· Green Med Info
Try the #1 Diet for Diabetes as Rated by U.S. News & World Report
It’s a pretty stunning stat. About one in four contestants come to The Biggest Loser ranch with Type 2 diabetes. They all leave without it, says Cheryl Forberg, RD, who created the eating plan that the contestants follow on the ranch.
Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Report rated the diet as tops for fighting and managing diabetes. Special mention was made of Forberg’s book, The Biggest Loser: 6 Weeks to a Healthier You (Rodale).
Here’s an excerpted recipe from the book that in 6 weeks can help you improve your health through diet, exercise and lifestyle changes.
More Weight Loss Tips from Prevention.com
• 3 Eating Tips for a Hot Body!
• How Nutritionists Eat Fast Food
• Burn More Calories While You Sleep
Get the meal plan and fitness tools of The Biggest Loser Club program, www.biggestloserclub.net
Cure for Diabetes Discovered | Zero To Hero TV Health & Fitness
http://zerotoherotv.com/2012/08/cure-for-diabetes-discovered/
