Home	Classes	Story	Articles	Consulting	Back Pain
DIABETES by Othon Molina, Ph.d.c, LMT The following information is for educational purposes only and is meant to complement any medical treatment. Please consult with your doctor before starting any nutritional program. With modern and refined process for foods we have seen an increase in Diabetes in our society. The most common races with diabetes in large numbers are Hawaiians and Native American Indians. More than any other disease diabetes can be managed quite well with nutrition. A poor diet may be one of the biggest factors leading to diabetes, as often it happens with people who are overweight, or eat a diet high in refined sugar, highly processed foods, low fiber, too many complex carbohydrates, too much meat and don’t exercise. Diabetes Mellitus Type I; insulin-dependent sometimes called “Juvenile Diabetes”. Is often cased by some viral attack, and the destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas which manufacture the insulin. Consequently the level of glucose is high in the blood because the body can’t absorb it. The diabetic's blood becomes "too thick", this causes blood clots that damage blood vessels. This can lead to the creation of excessive levels of free radicals (Oxidants) and makes the person more susceptible: To a larger risk of kidney disease, arteriosclerosis, blindness, heart disease or nerve diseases, and infections. Type II or non-insulin dependent diabetes, more often occurs when people are older. This disorder is a little different, the pancreas does produce insulin, but for some reason the insulin is not effective. Some of the more common symptoms are; abnormal thirst, irritability, weakness, fatigue, excessive urination, loss of appetite or excessive hunger, both sides are extreme, and at the worst cases vomiting and nausea. Some of these diabetics can have hyperglycemia; too much glucose in their blood or even hypoglycemia; too low blood sugar at different times, both could be serious. High cholesterol increases the diabetic's risk for heart disease and stroke. Even modest blood pressure elevations greatly increase the risk of diabetes complications as well. Excess fat cells create chemical messengers that block the body's ability to actually respond to the insulin. As the fat comes off the diabetic's own insulin works better and the blood sugar level can improve. Eat more steamed and raw vegetables, moderate complex-carbohydrates, low fat (Cut down on animal fats) increase grains, and whole foods. Avoid white flower, salt and white sugar as they elevate blood sugar levels. Eat more legumes, roots vegetables, brown rice, nut butters. Vegetable sources from protein are much better as high fiber helps reduce blood sugar urges. Eat proteins such as beans and tofu, salmon and tuna two or three times a week, they have the Omega 3, great for the immune system. Eat lots of raw olive oil for your dressings or put on breads instead of butter, never use margarine. Garlic, onion are always great for healing the body, add some Capsaicin a natural derivative of hot peppers to spice food up. Metamucil, or others, do more than just help with constipation problems they can also help with absorption of sugar and starches. Some of the more common fibers: glucomannan, guar gum, legume fiber, oat gum, pea fiber, apple pectin, psyllium. Of course, the best way to get fiber is from increasing the fruit, vegetables, and legumes so you get the fiber directly. Avoid tobacco, as it constricts your blood vessels and can be much more harmful to your condition. Exercise can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) requiring a reduction in dose for insulin or diabetes pills. Diabetics with unrecognized heart disease are less likely than non-diabetics to feel chest pain (angina) as a warning sign that they are exercising too vigorously. (Consult with your doctor). CAUTION: Many carbohydrates can actually raise the glucose level of your blood, dramatically e.g. whole wheat bread, many breakfast cereals, a baked potato, raisins, prunes or most dried fruit and carrot juice. It’s far too sweet, better to juice very little carrots and put in more greens, as kale, spinach, celery or wheat grass. Find a good green drink with many of the greens, it is a great source of chlorophyll. The other carbohydrates such as pasta, pita bread, unleavened bread, or bible bread, boiled potatoes, grapes, oranges, lemons or honeydew raise blood sugar only modestly. Reduce the use of honey, molasses, etc. they do raise blood sugar, but most diabetics can tolerate them in small amounts e.g. 1-2 tsp. a day--if they are careful, try and do without. Replace with fructose (fruit sugar) it does not raise blood sugar much and can be used in moderate amounts. Avoid fish oil capsules, containing large amounts of Para-amiobenzoic acid(PABA), as well as salt and white flour, as they tend to raise blood sugar levels. Also avoid taking large amounts of the amino acid Cysteine as it can break down the bonds of the insulin hormone. Mental Calmness is critical for all health: Stress increases the adrenal glands' output of adrenaline and cortisone, two hormones which act to increase blood sugar. Relaxation training, bio-feedback techniques help improve blood sugar control. Sources: Richard Podell M.D; Dr. James F. Balch MD., and Phyllis A. Balch C.N.C.
Home	Classes	Story	Articles	Consulting	Back Pain