Diabetes - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

One Chinese herb that shows promise in the treatment of diabetes in called mai men dong or ophiopogon. Research done in China has demonstrated that it can potentially stimulate regeneration of cells in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. The cells in this part of the pancreas are responsible for the proper production of insulin, and therefore the proper processing of blood sugar in the body. Stimulating regeneration of these cells can potentially reverse diabetes in adult-onset diabetics.

Another Chinese herb that shows promise for people with high blood sugar is tian hua fen or trichosanthis. Tian hua fen has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels in Chinese research studies. It is very commonly used in herbal formulas for diabetics. Other commonly used herbs include astragalus and Chinese wild yam.

An Asian vegetable which is also used as an herb, called bittermelon, or momordica charantia, has also been shown to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics in studies done in China and in Thailand. This vegetable also may have antibacterial and antiviral properties. In Asia, it is being considered as a potential treatment for AIDS, HIV, and hepatitis C.

There are also other Chinese herbs that can be useful for the many symptoms associated with diabetes. The Chinese herbal formula Ming Mu Di Huang Wan is used in China for the vision problems that diabetics often experience. Other herbs can be used to improve blood circulation and stimulate healing. This can be very beneficial since diabetics often heal more slowly from cuts, wounds, and other injuries and also because they tend to have poorer circulation. Many of these herbs may be beneficial for diabetic neuropathy. Diabetics often have nerve pain or uncomfortable nerve sensations that can be alleviated with the use of herbs. Acupuncture can be beneficial for this as well.

As you can see, although the ancient Chinese could not easily monitor blood sugar levels in diabetics, many of the herbal treatments they used for people who exhibited the symptoms of this condition are being shown to be effective in modern research trials in other countries.

If you are diabetic and you are taking medication to control your blood sugar levels, it is best to have your blood sugar monitored while taking these herbs, and have your doctor adjust the dosage of your medications accordingly, so your blood sugar doesn’t drop too drastically. It is likely that you will eventually be able to taper off of the herbs and medication, until you can control your disease primarily through diet and exercise.Source: http://www.yinessence.com/

As far as some general herbal health supplements for diabetes, there are several out there that will help control blood sugar, insulin levels, and increase your body’s ability to properly use insulin. Chromium is a wonderful supplement, often used in the form of “chromium picolinate” for weight loss, but when used for supplementing for diabetes, Chromium makes your body’s cells more sensitive to insulin, which will help your body make proper use of insulin. A lot of people with Type 2 Diabetes have a chromium deficiency, which makes the symptoms of diabetes less once Chromium is started in most people.

Evening Primrose Oil is a good herbal remedy for one of the most common complications of diabetes, called “neuropathy.” When a person with diabetes has difficulty converting linoleic acid into GLA, circulation problems result because GLA deficiency causes less oxygen to reach the nerves in a person’s neurosystem. Evening Primrose oil helps with this because Evening Primrose oil is a direct source of GLA. It is for this reason that Evening Primrose Oil is one of the best health supplements for diabetes. It’s suspected that taking Evening Primrose Oil before symptoms of neuropathy caused by diabetes start, will actually help prevent diabetes-related neuropathy.

Other good herbal supplements include aloe vera (the juice or capsules containing aloe powder), antioxidants (commonly found in capsule or pill form, or even in tea form), burdock, biotin, coenzyme Q10, dandelion (found in tea or capsule/caplet form, most common is the tea form), DHEA, fiber, ginseng, l-carnitine, magnesium, onions, vitamins C and E. There are many health supplements for diabetes, and several of the herbal remedies have been known to be very effective. It’s just important to remember, before starting any kind of supplement or medication- whether herbal or traditional- consult with your physician and a naturopath before beginning any new supplements.

Just like traditional medications and treatments, herbal remedies can- and do- interact with one another and also with traditional medications. The best way to control diabetes is with your physician’s guidance, educating yourself, and by making sure you take care of your general over-all health and well-being. A balanced diet, exercise, and education are the best health suppliments for diabetes that there are. Follow the advice of your physician and/or a naturopath to determine which other supplements or herbal remedies are right for you.Source: health supplements for diabetes

When we eat, the pancreas automatically produces the right amount of insulin to move glucose from blood into our cells. For the people having diabetes this is the place of disorder, there pancreas either produces little or no insulin, or the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced. Types of diabetes: The three main types of diabetes are Type 1 diabetes Type 2 diabetes Gestational diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent diabetes) Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease results when the body’s system for fighting infection stops in a part of body. In diabetes, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. A person who has type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to live.

Type 2 Diabetes (previously known as non-insulin dependent diabetes) The most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes. Nearly 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2. This form of diabetes is strongly genetic. About 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight. Type 2 diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed in children and adolescents. However, type 2 diabetes in youth are not in common. When type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin, but for unknown reasons, the body cannot use the insulin effectively, a condition called insulin resistance. After several years, insulin production decreases. The result is the same as for type 1 diabetes–glucose builds up in the blood and the body cannot make efficient use of its main source of fuel.

Gestational Diabetes: (Gdm) Gestational diabetes develops only during pregnancy. Like type 2 diabetes, it occurs more often in African Americans, American Indians, Hispanic Americans, and among women with a family history of diabetes. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a 20 to 50 percent chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years.Source: http://www.diabetic-help.net/