Utilizing a naturopathic protocol specifically designed to meet their particular health profile, patients can control blood glucose levels more tightly, decrease insulin requirements and reduce dependence on insulin.
Blood sugar can begin to decrease within two to six weeks, with a cost effective, non-toxic, safe and effective naturopathic protocol.
Though it is not recommended for a patient to stop their prescription drugs when their blood sugars are consistently over 150 mg/dl;once there is a significant decrease in blood sugar levels, they may wish to consider weaning off these medicines under supervision of their physician or treating naturopathic physician.
Many naturopathic nutrients and herbs can help to eliminate free radicals, which are largely responsible for the secondary complications of diabetes.
Diabetes is most succinctly explained as a disease that affects the way in which our bodies convert the food we eat into energy. Ina healthy individual, this conversion is made efficiently with the help of insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas that enables glucose molecules from food to pass through cell membranes so that they can be used as energy or stored for the future. In a diabetic person, either there is not enough insulin for this conversion, or the insulin is not eliciting a response in the body. Either way, the result is unstable blood sugar levels, which can soar dangerously high and lead to severe diabetic complication or even death. Food is usually the most significant concern for diabetics because it can raise blood sugar sharply and often immediately; and its consumption is a necessary part of daily life. Stress, exercise and stimulants play important but lesser roles in blood sugar levels.
In 2004, more than $36 million was invested in diabetes research. American taxpayers spend $132 billion every year on treatment for DM patients through modern drug therapy. Preventive healthcare is essential in alleviating the health and financial costs associated with diabetes. Naturopathic medicine is a primary health care system based on the recognition that the human organism has an incredible self-healing capacity. Naturopathic medicine supports this self-healing potential using clinical nutrition, lifestyle counseling, botanical medicine, traditional Asian medicine, homeopathic medicine, acupuncture,physical therapies, and hydrotherapy. Each therapy supports the self-healing efforts of the body. The naturopathic physician selects appropriate modalities based on the individual needs of the patient.
The fundamental principles of naturopathic medicine are:
First: Do no harm. Support the self healing power of the body.
Second: Find the cause and TREAT the CAUSE of the disease or imbalance rather than just treating the symptoms. Treat the whole person, through individualized treatments, to support the optimal functioning of the whole being, including attending to the emotional and psychological as well as physiological well being of the person.
The naturopathic doctor will teach the principles of healthy living and disease prevention. The literal meaning of the word doctor in latin, is teacher. It is the licensed naturopathic physician or ND’s responsibility of teach each patient what they need to do to take part in their health and the reversal of disease. For the patient’s safety, the naturopathic doctor must establish a diagnosis based on medical history, physical examination, and standard laboratory tests.
The Holistic Integrative Perspective - From the holistic viewpoint, there are no disease entities, only individuals suffering the results of an imbalance of regulatory functions. In the example of diabetes, the cause could stem from genetics, viral, cow’s milk causing an auto-immune disturbance, for type 1; and any combination of diet, obesity,glucose metabolism, liver insufficiencies, low birth weight, hormonal imbalances, particularly insulin. Diagnosis and symptoms of diabetes: Polyuria,polydipsia, polyphasia; fatigue, and fungal infections. It is usually accompanied by HBP, Obesity. Testing: fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin, serum lipids (CHOLESTEROL) Normal-110mg/dl. If >200 - dx - DM - Risk Factors: Genetics,advancing age, overweight, sibling, HBP, high birth weight child, high cholesterol,PCOS, Sedentary lifestyle, hormonal imbalance, poor diet, sodas, poor immune function, vitamin and mineral deficiency, Herbicide exposure - (agent orange in North Vietnam - monsanto); GM foods - Drug therapies: Insulin,Sulfa drugs- stimulate insulin secretion from the beta cells of the pancreas,metformin - Side effects to liver, thyroid, kidneys - Naturopathic Therapies: Lifestyle therapy: nutrition based diet, exercise,stress management, and the prevention of obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
Offending foods: refined carbohydrates, trans and saturated fats, excessive animal protein, inadequate fiber, inadequate vegetables, minerals, micronutrients, refined sugars and too little or too much salt.
Appropriate foods for the prevention of diabetes and the reversal of symptoms include foods from the earth; whole foods including fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, sprouts, nuts and seeds in proper proportion, combined properly and eaten in moderation.
Stress Management: meditation, yoga, prayer, balanced living
Smoking cessation: Nicotene decreases sensitivity to insulin
Exercise prescription: Pain - no gain vs. “no pain, no gain”
The purpose for exercising is to eliminate acid waste from the body via the lungs through respiration and the skin through perspiration. That is why we have two lungs and 3500 perspiratory pores in our skin per square inch. Our skin being our largest eliminatory organ must be kept clean and free of dead skin and debris for it to function at optimal efficiency. When your car burns or ferments fuel to create energy, a toxin or acid is released called carbon monoxide. When your body’s anatomical elements burn or ferment foods to release energy, the same thing happens. The toxin created is called carbon dioxide. During exercise we take in oxygen and respire CO2. If we are at any time during rest or exercise,not breathing properly and taking in less O2 than we need, a more toxic waste product is created - lactic acid. Unlike carbon dioxide, which is expelled out of the body, lactic acid is expelled into the surrounding tissues. This is what causes the pain. Aches, pains, irritations or inflammation is the effect of acid in your body. When you exercise to exhaustion you are creating excess acids that lead to sickness and disease - including obesity and diabetes. Acids burn and break down cells which in turn cause a rise in blood sugar.
Exercise moves acids through these two elimination organs. When the internal environment of the body is acidic it is breaking down. Cancer and deterioration are more apt to occur under these circumstances. When your cells are more alkaline they are stronger and healthier; as are your muscles and organs in which they are housed. A Newsweek article published in May of 2003, stated that pain is the number one reason Americans visit the doctor at the economic cost of $100 billion a year. Over 10 million children in America suffer from chronic and acute pain that ultimately contributes to the increase in childhood diabetes, stemming from over-acidity in the blood and tissues. Our lifestyle choices play a major role in our health on a daily basis. The goal is to eliminate the risks.
What can you do:
Eat fruits,vegetables and green drinks. Plant foods contain biologically active substances that have proven health benefits such chlorophyll, which aid in delivering oxygen throughout the body, reducing the binding of acids to DNA, breaking down calcium stones and building red blood cells. Plant enzyme said in the chemical activities necessary for maintaining life. They aid digestion, regeneration and energy.
Phytonutrients help prevent diabetes by neutralizing acids and other acidic symptoms such as CV disease, obesity, hyper cholesterolemia, arthritis, osteoporosis and cancer.
Vegetables contain vitamins and minerals which serve to strengthen the blood and immune system.
Wheatgrass contains 100 food elements, including every identified mineral and trace mineral; as well as containing protein and laetrile which is antifungal.
DRINK WATER: Among the most useful nutrients to be considered strongly is the water that you need to consume. Our body is 70% water and our brain is 83% water. Water regulates body temperature, protects vital organs, transports nutrients within each cell, dispels wastes and is used for every other function in the body.
A three percent drop in body weight through water loss causes a 10% drop in contractile strength in your muscles. A 4% loss can cause dizziness; 5% loss will cause problems with concentration, drowsiness impatience and headaches. 6% loss of water from the body will cause the heart to race and your body’s temperature regulation mechanism to fail. 7% loss will lead to collapse. Once even slightly dehydrated, it takes 6 month to restore adequate hydration. On an average, uneventful day, we lose at least 1% water. If you add on heat,exercise, travel or stress, you loose more. Beverages containing alcohol and caffeine actually rob the body of water. We lose as much water when asleep as when awake; and we need as much water in cold weather as in warm.
Drinking the right kind of water is also important. Our water supplies have become increasingly contaminated and thus dangerous to our health. But just as water can be ruined by certain additives and actions, so too can it be made healthier. Drinking alkalized and energized water will rehydrate and revitalize your body. Tap water usually tests at a pH of 7, however it is chemically treated and contains metalions such as iron, lead, cadmium and mercury - all toxic when in excess.
Most bottled waters, when tested for their pH value, are highly acidic. Vitamin waters, gatorades, diet sodas and reverse osmosis water also tests acidic. This increases the free radical damage to the body including the circulatory system of the extremities, the vision and kidney function. Our bodies seek to maintain a slightly alkaline state. When we introduce acidic substances into our body, we throw off that alkaline state . The body will then use alkaline substances to counteract the acidic ones. Water is then needed to wash away the wastes. Water that is acidic is again counterproductive at this stage. Alkaline water is also highly oxygenated. Oxygen is the single most important substance that your body needs. Microbes, or bad bacteria cannot live in the presence of oxygen. Alkaline water contains calcium, magnesium and potassium which are required by the body. Others useful and powerful natural medicines, that when properly prescribed can be powerfully effective in reversing the side effects of diabetes, diabetes drug therapies and the peripheral vascular system.
Marinelipids, borage oil and other essential fats improve overall circulation, brain and nervous system function as well as endocrine function. They are an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. Borage oil protects your body’s insulin-producing beta cells from acid breakdown.
Devil’s Club root bark, jambul seed , blueberry leaf, bean pod, dandelion root, Vitamin C,E,B6, folic acid, B12 biotin, Mg, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium,bitter melon, gymnemia, fenugreek, bilberry, bioflavenoids, cinnamon, basil and ginseng when selected and used properly can assist in treating symptomatic patients and restoring health.
If you have diagnosed D.M., hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, being under the supervision of a qualified, licensed ND will ensure that you are being looked after properly so that you can begin to reverse symptoms, lower body weight restore health and reduce or eliminate the need for medications.
Dr. Diana Joy Ostroff has been practicing naturopathic medicine and acupuncture in Honolulu, HI for 20 years. She owns and operates the Center for Natural Healing where she assists individuals in attaining optimal health and wellness. She regularly teaches classes in her center and throughout the community as part of her Wisdom of Well-being Seminar Series.
