Blood Sugar Metabolism - Let Natural Drugs be Your Controller!
By Darshana Vaishnav, M.D.
Diabetes is a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism and refers to Diabetes
(siphoning through) Mellitus (sweet). People with this disorder have high
level of blood sugar known as hyperglycemia and lose sugar in their urine.
Factors contributing to high blood sugar include reduced insulin
production, decreased insulin usage, and increased glucose production by
the liver. Diabetes is caused by a complex interaction of genetics,
environmental factors and lifestyle choices.
There are two primary types of diabetes:
Type I, insulin dependent diabetes. People with this disorder do not
produce enough insulin.
Type I diabetes is caused by autoimmune, genetic and environmental
factors and even possibly by viruses. It develops in children and young
adults. Symptoms include constant hunger, increased thirst and frequent
urination, weight loss, extreme fatigue and blurred vision. If not
treated with insulin, a person with type I diabetes can lapse into a
life-threatening diabetic coma, also known as diabetic ketoacidosis.
Type II, sometimes called non-insulin dependent or insulin resistant
diabetes. In type II diabetes, the body produces enough insulin but is
not effective in transferring glucose from the blood to the cells.
About 90% to 95% of people with diabetes have type II diabetes. This
form of diabetes may include symptoms similar to those of type I as well
as frequent infections, and slow healing of wounds or sores. Some people
have no symptoms. Type II diabetes is more common among the overweight,
the elderly, Asians, Hispanics, African Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Gestational diabetes is yet another type of diabetes that occurs during
pregnancy and these women are likely to develop diabetes later in life.
How to Manage Diabetes?
Type I diabetes always requires insulin injections in addition to diet and
exercise.
Type II diabetes can be controlled with diet and exercise alone but may
require medications in some cases. In addition, taking multivitamins,
minerals, herbal supplements and natural drugs shown in the table below
can significantly reduce complications. Keeping diabetes and other health
conditions in mind, some websites may list all or some of these
supplements in the categories such as Blood Sugar Metabolism, Vitamins,
Diabetes, etc. It is important that the diabetes patients also continue to
monitor their blood sugar level as recommended by their doctor.
Vitamins and Herbs and Their Effects on Diabetes
Bilberry extract: Helps prevent and reduce the severity of diabetic
cataracts.
Bioflavonoids: Helps prevent vision loss. Helps prevent damage to vitamins
C and E from diabetes.
Biotin: Biotin and Chromium work well together to help reduce blood sugar
levels. With the help of chromium, biotin helps the pancreas work
efficiently, helps insulin work better to lower blood sugar levels.
Chromium (Picolinate): Chromium and Biotin work well together to help
reduce blood sugar levels. With the help of biotin, chromium helps insulin
work better, helps the pancreas work efficiently, and lowers blood sugar
levels.
Copper (Picolinate): Copper helps prevent diabetes-related damage to blood
vessels and nerves, and lowers blood sugar levels by helping protect the
cells in the pancreas that make insulin healthy.
Fenugreek seed extract: Helps liver and kidneys metabolize blood sugars
more efficiently; helps lower blood sugars.
Folic Acid: In conjunction with B12, folic acid helps prevent strokes and
loss of limbs due to diabetic complications.
Gymnema Sylvestre: Helps balance blood sugars and may help control weight.
Magnesium (Chelate): Helps insulin work more effectively and helps
relieves neuropathic pain.
Manganese (Chelate): Helps prevent damage to nerves and blood vessels.
Selenium: Helps take blood sugar into the cells. Selenium also protects
blood vessel and nerve from the damaged caused by elevated blood sugars.
Selenium is also called, an "insulin mimic".
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): With B12, and folic acid, B6 helps prevents heart
attacks and nerve damage. Helps prevent diabetic blindness, helps keep
vision clear and normal.
Vitamin B12: In conjunction with folic acid, Vitamin B12 helps prevent
stroke and loss of limb due to diabetic complications. Also works with
Vitamin B6.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid): In partnership with vitamin E, helps push sugar
from the blood stream into the cells. Keeps blood vessels and kidneys
healthy.
Vitamin E (Pyridoxine): Vitamin E together with B vitamin helps keep the
pancreas healthy and helps prevent nerve damage. Helps blindness, and
heart attacks.
Zinc (Pyridoxine): Helps blood sugar get into the cells and help insulin
work effectively.
Copyright @ 2005 DHAN Medical Inc. All rights reserved.
The information listed here has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration. It is meant for educational purposes and is not intended
to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Please consult your
healthcare provider for guidance and medical advice.
Darshana Vaishnav, M. D. is a board certified medical doctor with a
medical degree from Penn State University. With over 20 years of
medical practice in California behind her, she set up her website
with specific categories such as Blood Sugar Metabolism containing
dietary supplements for diabetes. Her site offers natural vitamins,
herbal and dietary supplements with reliable purity and consistency
available only from physicians, naturopaths, pharmacies or
healthcare providers.
Darshana Vaishnav, M. D. http://www.drugnatural.com
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© Copyright 2006. All Rights Reserved.