It makes no sense to speak too much on describing this disease. Each of us has come into contact with diabetes directly or know someone suffering from it. Suffice it is to say that this disease manifests itself as a body's inability to produce and use a hormone called insulin. The hormone is produced by the pancreas and helps to regulate blood sugar levels and convert it into energy necessary for life. Resistance to insulin occurs when our cells refuse to absorb insulin, and consequently glucose.
The number of diabetics is growing at an alarming rate. According to a WHO report, “Globally, an estimated 422 million adults were living with diabetes in 2014, compared to 108 million in 1980. The global prevalence (age-standardized) of diabetes has nearly doubled since 1980, rising from 4.7% to 8.5% in the adult population” [1].
The development of diabetes is caused by irregular lifestyle and nutrition, lack of exercise, and a diet rich in fats and carbohydrates. International Diabetes Federation (IFD) estimates that the number of diabetics in the world aged 20–79 years will rise to 642 million (uncertainty range: 521–829 million) by 2040. [2]
Human body is able to digest carbohydrates at the level of 1 teaspoon of sugar per day.
It is an insidious disease that attacks silently and it is often too late to reverse the damage it has done to the body. Diabetes mainly targets the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system. It is associated with conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), strokes and heart attacks. Over time, the disease may lead to stroke, heart diseases, kidney problems, and limb amputation (the so-called diabetic foot). “Nerve damage is a common chronic complication of diabetes. (...) Nerve damage most often affects the limbs, a patient feels tingle, numbness, decline of sensation. Due to a poor blood supply, a foot becomes increasingly dry and bloody woundsappear on its surface. Ulcers may be present too. Cuts heal very badly. A patient who has a poor feet sensation as a result of nerve damage may not notice the injury and often causes it himself. This leads to serious infections, non-healing wounds, and may result in amputation."[3]
After noticing the first symptoms (listed below), it is worth going to a natural therapist, homeopath or dietitian first. It is possible that appropriate supplementation, regulation of the diet and lifestyle will normalize the mechanism of sugar distribution in the body and there will be no need to take medicines.
Symptoms of high sugar level in blood:
1 / White fog obstructing vision.
2 / Increased sweating (especially after eating).
3 / Trembling hands.
4 / Palpitations.
5 / Headaches and vertigos.
6 / Disturbance in concentration.
7 / Sleepiness (especially 2 hours after eating).
8 / Fainting.
9 / Often recurring ailment of radicular pain.
Diabetes patients struggle with the following problems:
1 / A need to drink, and drinking doesn’t quench thirst.
2 / Pollakiuria.
3 / Excessive appetite.
4 / Rapid weight loss, rapid loss of muscle protein.
5 / Tingling feeling in the arms and legs.
6 / Mycosis of the arms and legs.
7 / Itchy feet, cracked skin on heels.
8 / Progressive loss of vision.
9 / Mental fatigue.
10 / Nausea.
11 / Progressive problems with wound healing.
Symptoms for which the possibility of this disease should be investigated:
1 / Inability to lose weight even despite the use of diets; quick yo-yo effect.
2 / Regular weight gain in the early spring.
3 / Continuously high levels of triglycerides.
4 / Diseases such as: endometriosis or problems with the hormonal balance (thyroid).
5 / Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
What you should pay attention to:
1 / Adequate level of protein, minerals and vitamins in the body.
2 / Adequate hydration.
3 / Eliminating inflammation in the body (healing immune diseases).
4 / Regular meals.
5 / Proper digestion (disturbance of the intestinal flora is associated with diabetes and being overweight).
6 / Daily physical activity.
What to do:
1 / Supplement the existing mineral and vitamin deficiencies (a smart supplementation).
- chromium - it is necessary for glucose in blood to enter the cells. Often, removing the deficiency of this element in the body causes the first symptoms of diabetes abate;
- magnesium - necessary to maintain good management of sugar;
- leucine - qualifies the production of insulin;
- Omega-3 acids increase insulin sensitivity of cells;
- vitamin D3 - reduces insulin hyperactivity and regulates its level;
- vitamin C - lowers blood sugar levels, strengthens blood vessels;
- B vitamins (especially B12). The research has shown that as many as 45% to 54% of patients with type 1 diabetes are severely deficient in vitamin B12. In addition, it turned out that a significant number of type 2 diabetics who regularly take the drug - Metformin have a significantly reduced level of vitamin B12. This vitamin plays a very important role in the body. It takes part in the formation of blood cells and new cells, and is responsible for protecting the nerves and the brain. [4]
- L-arginine. L-arginine increases the production of nitric oxide, which increases blood flow. “A study in an animal model (placebo-controlled) showed that supplementation with L-arginine resulted in the formation of more pancreatic cells. This increased the production of insulin, which lowered the level of the glucose in the diabetic rats’ blood." [5]. In addition, L-arginine reduces triglyceride levels, helps to heal wounds, reduces the risk of heart disease, and offers many other benefits to the body.
2 / Take care of proper digestion, reduce inflammation in the digestive tract.
3 / Prevent rapid loss of protein from the body.
4 / Introduce a constant element of movement (e.g. daily walks).
5 / Eat your meals regularly (preferably every 3 hours, with no snacks between meals). Food should have a low glycemic index (GLYCEMIC INDEX TABLE) and be properly balanced. For example, chromium can be obtained from beetroot, magnesium can be found in the chlorophyll of dark vegetables, the sources of Omega-3 acids are: fatty fish, walnuts, chia seeds, linseed).
However, it should be noted that nowadays food has less and less nutritional value, so it is worth taking an interest in proper supplementation. Please note that we cannot take several elements (e.g. magnesium) individually. We should always use a properly selected combo of micronutrients and vitamins because lack of control in this situation may mean serious health complications. My practice of working with diabetics shows that regular supplementation with Forever Living products that I use, brings a good result. Microelements and nutrients that support living with diabetes or being able to prevent it, can be found in:
1 / Chrome: Forever Daily, Garcinia Plus, Fields of Greens, Forever Lean.
2 / Magnesium: Forever Daily, NaturMin, Super Greens, Fields of Greens.
3 / Omega-3 acids: Arctic Sea.
4 / L-arginine: ARGI +.
5 / Vitamins: Absorbent-C, ARGI +, Forever Daily, B12 Plus, Forever Kids, Super Greens, Fields of Greens.
In addition, I recommend:
Bee products (especially bee pollen), which contain a number of micronutrients and vitamins necessary for everyday functioning.
Forever Lite Ultra - a powerful protein shake, a source of many vitamins and microelements, complementing protein deficiencies in the body. It is a vegetable protein, so it doesn’t provoke inflammation.
Aloe Vera (drink) taken regularly, helps to ensure proper digestion, intestinal endyma, inhibition of inflammation and nourishes the bacterial flora. It also regulates the work of intestines. It cleanses a body of toxins and accumulated heavy metals. It regulates sugar levels in the blood and lowers the level of triglycerides associated with glucose’s surplus in the blood. Regular intake of Aloe Vera will help to regulate insulin levels. It also supports the treatment of the effects of diabetes, e.g. ulcers. However, when used on the skin as the jelly, it will help to heal wounds and cuts that may be dangerous for diabetics.
Aromatherapy - to help the pancreas, giving extra power to regulate the sugar level and metabolism.
The basic oil and spice that a diabetic should befriend, is cinnamon.
Cinnamon and geranium oils support work of pancreas. Other oils that may be recommended are: rosemary, basil, ylang ylang, ginger.
Cypress and eucalyptus oils (very good for massage) will help with blood circulation problems.
I recommend the products of doTerra company, which offer ready-made mixtures with appropriate approvals (certificates) that allow them to be used inside:
Smart & Sassy (American name: Slim&Sassy) – the supporting metabolism blend
ingredients: grapefruit, lemon, peppermint, ginger, cinnamon.
Zendocrine – the detoxicating mixture that supports the hormonal balance
ingredients: tangerine, rosemary, geranium, juniper berry, coriander.
YarrowPom (combination of pomegranate and yarrow) - helps to reduce insulin resistance.
On Guard - a mixture supporting the immune system but containing such oils useful for diabetics, such as cinnamon, rosemary, clove and eucalyptus. It's a great combination of supporting immunity and metabolism.
Supplements can take us back from the road to diabetes. When we are diagnosed and pharmacologically treated this disease, they will support the treatment process. It is important to inform your doctor about any supplements you are taking. The example of my mother shows that going on a diet and regular supplementation prevented genetically determined type 2 diabetes from developing, and the dose of a drug taken by my mother was not increased (which usually occurs with age) and kept at a low level. Regularly drunk Aloe Vera helps to balance the body's work, and the body will respond, e.g. by reducing the level of cholesterol and triglycerides, and rebalancing blood pressure. Therefore, it is worth monitoring the effect of the diet and supplementation and reporting to your doctor because at some point the medications you take may be too strong and you will need to lower the dose. Aloe shouldn’t be combined with certain medications, such as hormonal drugs. This does not mean that you cannot drink it but drink it at the time when the drug is already absorbed, i.e. after 3 hours after taking it. The directions how to use supplements should be received from a natural therapist, and in the case of Forever products - from the person who introduces us to the Forever family.
Based:
lecture by Dr. Elżbieta Olejnik "How not to get diabetic" (original title: „Jak nie dać się cukrzycy” on 10.03.2021 and my own experience of working with diabetics.
[1] “Global report on diabetes”,World Health Organization, Geneva, 2016.
[2] IDF “Diabetes Atlas: Global estimates for the prevalence of diabetes for 2015 and 2040”, 31.03.2017.
[3] "Diabetes in numbers" (original title: “Cukrzyca w liczbach”), report National Health Fund (NFZ), 23.12.2019.
[4] „Vitamin B12 – your „must have” in diabetes”(original: “Witamina B12 – twój “must have” w cukrzycy”, MITO-MED.
[5] "L-arginine: benefits, dosage and side effects" (original: „L-arginina: korzyści, dawkowanie i skutki uboczne”), MITO-MED.
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