About Diabetes

Jack Stanley asked:


Although there are three different types of diabetes, the first series of symptoms to experience are usually those of hyperglycemia, or an excess of blood sugar (glucose), which is the first indicator ‘ is something not quite right.

Symptoms of hyperglycemia May include blurred vision, fatigue, increased thirst and appetite and increased urination.

In type 1 diabetes, the onset of hyperglycemia can be abruptly because of fact, the pancreas does not produce any insulin at all, or virtually no insulin at all. In other words, there is absolutely no outlet for glucose levels that just build and build quickly. Type 1 diabetes is extremely dangerous and can lead to death. There was a time known as juvenile diabetes because it generally affects young people, and symptoms should not be ignored and doctors should be consulted immediately as a matter of urgency.

For type 2 diabetes, hyperglycemia May take considerable time to develop to the point symptoms can be felt and noticed. Many people go through their whole lives unaware that they have type 2 diabetes, and take a large number of symptoms as merely be signs of aging, especially as type 2 diabetes affects generally middle-aged adults to leave, hence its old name of diabetes for adults. In relatively recent years, due to the volume of children developing type 2 diabetes due to poor diet and obesity (the leading causes of type 2 diabetes), the name became simply type diabetes 2.

As the symptoms of high blood sugar in type 2 diabetes can be extremely subtle, many people are completely unaware they have diabetes at all. In type 2 diabetes is caused by one of two factors, the first factor is a lack of insulin production in the pancreas, the second being a condition known as “insulin resistance”. This is where the body begins to reject the admission of insulin, bringing the glucose. Therefore, a person’s body does not become starved of glucose as fuel, but the accumulation starts glucose in the blood, which has no outlet. The body May attempt by some hunting glucose from the body through urine.

May gestational diabetes perhaps the most difficult form of diabetes to detect because the symptoms are so similar to a pregnancy, it can be almost impossible to make a difference. For example, fatigue, increased appetite and thirst and increased urination.

Gestational diabetes is usually a temporary form of diabetes that disappeared shortly after pregnancy, but May leave the mother and children vulnerable to the ongoing development of type 2 diabetes in the future.

Another concern gestational diabetes is the damage it can do for the baby, which May be respiratory or heart problems, stillborn or died shortly after birth. The absence of treatment, gestational diabetes can also be a contributing factor in health problems that the baby reaches adulthood, such as chronic obesity.

If you think you’ve felt even slightly any of these symptoms of hyperglycemia, it is very important that you see your doctor as soon as possible. Diabetes is a disorder not you want to guess yourself, because it can be fatal, especially in the case of type 1 diabetes.

Although diabetes can be a very dangerous disease, the diagnosis, it is extremely treatable. The most important things for a diabetic to do so are to take any medication prescribed and monitor blood sugar levels regularly. If you’ve been told by your doctor to take with you an emergency insulin / glucose kit, you should do so at any time since May it not be fatal. Other factors include a lot of exercise to help regulate glucose levels and a healthy diet and balanced.



Theodore

Prashant asked:


DIABETES

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a very common and well known disease now days. People have started taking it as serious as they take to Cancer, but the most important question to know is “What is Diabetes?”

Diabetes is known as problem of ‘high sugar’. Fasting blood glucose level of around 126mg% or more is called as diabetes.

What is Prediabetes?

When the fasting blood glucose level ranges between 101 and 125 mg%, it is known as Prediabetes. This stage is an important one which gives an opportunity to prevent full blown diabetes to occur.



What are the reasons behind Diabetes?

Much of our food which we eat is converted into glucose. To consume this glucose our body requires insulin. When lacking of insulin occurs, this glucose cannot be utilized properly by the body and diabetes occurs.

Why do symptoms occur in diabetes?

Diabetes symptoms occur because of storage of high blood sugar and less sugar utilization by the body parts.

Diabetes symptoms

Accumulation of high blood sugar causes excess of urination, excess in thirst, vision difficulty, increased infection chances. Inability of body to consume glucose causes excessive hunger, irritability, confusion, weakness, tiredness and weight loss that can be dangerous.

Why is it important to know about diabetes?

Diabetes can cause serious complications which can cause early death. Additionally it can also cause severe economical burden for the patient and the government. One of ten people gets diabetes.

Can diabetes be prevented and cured?

Our body generates insulin, lacking of insulin is the reason behind Diabetes. Diabetes can be prevented by providing some additional insulin to an individual by some external medium. In some cases diabetes can be prevented and in some it can be cured. That is for very small percentage of patients only. We should not be fooled by false claims of cure for diabetes.

What are the major complications of diabetes?

Complications of diabetes can be life threatening and include ketosis, low blood sugar, kidney failure, high blood sugar, heart attack, acidosis, stroke and sepsis. Other complications of diabetes can be debilitating and include foot amputation, blindness, impaired kidney function, impotence and nerve problems.

Can Diabetes complications be prevented?

Yes they can be. All the complications of diabetes can be prevented if the proper treatment and management for diabetes starts on a right time. Even if the proper treatment and management starts late further significant deterioration can be prevented.

Can a diabetic live a normal life?

Yes they can. With the help of advance therapy a diabetic can easily live a normal life as a non-diabetic person can. To live normal life, the patient should have full knowledge of diabetes, its prevention and complications. For the best outcomes diabetic person should also know where they stand in reference to the best available care for this disease in the world. Just consulting with a doctor and taking medicines is not enough for them.

Is urine glucose testing the right and best way to mange diabetes?

No. Daily blood sugar testing is the best way to manage diabetes. Urine shows glucose when it is over 180mg percent in the blood. Much harm can happen when blood sugar lies between 140 and 180 percent on long term basis. Also morning urine gives an average of all night’s urine. Blood sugar testing is therefore the best way to manage diabetes.

What is the most important number in diabetes?

Blood sugar testing gives blood level of sugar for that particular moment when the blood was taken for testing. A1C is another important test which gives an average of blood sugar readings over the past few months. A1C is even more important than a single blood sugar reading as it is to correlated with complications of diabetes in a patient.



Caroline

polarpenguin512 asked:


What are their chances of living or what will their quality of life be after they have this disease?

How is this disease inherited?

Does it come from either the mother’s or the father’s side?

Does this disorder be cured with biotechnology today?

Can gene splicing occur with diabetes?

Lance

sunopolous asked:


I hear all these remedies for type 2 diabetes but none for gestational diabetes. I tried asking this question in the pregnancy section but no one answered. Any information would be helpful and appreciated. I’m seeing a dr and dietician and doing all i can to keep blood sugar down but it’s not working as well as i’d like.

Pedro

alison l asked:


I have strong family history of diabetes on both my mother’s and father’s sides. I am a female in my late 20’s.

Tara

robinchakravorty asked:


My brother has been just detected having Diabetes Mellitus with blood-sugar 281 after fasting and a triglyceride level of 544.I solicit Expert recommendation regarding total recovery from this disease.What foods to be taken,what foods to be avoided,at what intervals food should be taken,what should be the way of life,why a person gets this disease,how it can be avoided altogether?Our maternal grandfather had this and our mother aged 86 years also has it.

Elizabeth

Sharyce Arciaga asked:


Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Diabetes mellitus, often referred to simply as diabetes is a syndrome of disordered metabolism, usually due to a combination of hereditary and environmental causes, resulting in abnormally high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia).

The disease and its treatments can cause many complications as it is often detected when a person suffers a problem that is frequently caused by diabetes, such as a heart attack, stroke, neuropathy, poor wound healing or a foot ulcer, certain eye problems, certain fungal infections, or delivering a baby with macrosomia or hypoglycemia. 

Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes was first identified as a disease associated with “sweet urine,” and excessive muscle loss in the ancient world. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic medical condition, meaning that although it can be controlled, it lasts a lifetime.  

Type 1 diabetes can affect children or adults but was traditionally termed “juvenile” diabetes because it represents a majority of the diabetes cases in children. This type appears to be triggered by some (mainly viral) infections, or less commonly, by stress or environmental exposure (such as exposure to certain chemicals or drugs). Type 1 diabetics have a genetic predisposition to the disease.

Type 1 diabetes occurs equally among males and females but is more common in whites than in non-whites. Additionally, this type of diabetes accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of diagnosed diabetes in the United States. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in children but can occur at any age. Type 1 diabetes may also cause a rapid yet significant weight loss (despite normal or even increased eating) and irreducible fatigue.    

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. Type 2 diabetes risk can be reduced in many cases by making changes in diet and increasing physical activity. However, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes impede a person’s carefree life.

Type 2 diabetes is more common in older people, especially in people who are overweight, and occurs more often in African Americans, American Indians, some Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islander Americans, and Hispanics/Latinos. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to increasing obesity and failure to exercise. This type may go unnoticed for years because visible symptoms are typically mild, non-existent or sporadic, and usually there are no ketoacidotic episodes. 

Diabetes insipidus, a rare disorder, is not related to diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). Diabetes symptoms may include increased thirst and urination, blurred vision, and fatigue. This type also appears to affect the speed of our thought processes as well. Diabetes is a costly disease associated with severe morbidity and premature death that affects millions of Americans.

Diabetes insipidus includes any of several types of polyuria in which the volume of urine exceeds 3 liters per day, causing dehydration and great thirst, as well as sometimes emaciation and great hunger.

Diabetes affects approximately 17 million people (about 8% of the population) in the United States. It is the third leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease and cancer.  

It is further the primary reason for adult blindness, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), gangrene and amputations. Diabetes is a condition characterized by the inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient levels of insulin to prevent hyperglycemia. Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or sugar levels are too high. Diabetes can also create the need to remove a limb. 

Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin, resistance to insulin, or both. The disease can damage blood vessels and nerves and decrease the body’s ability to fight infection. It is the most common condition leading to amputations. 

Although this disease cannot be cured, it often can be managed with proper medical care, diet, and regular exercise. Diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death in the US. It is a serious disease, but it is controllable. The good news is that diabetes prevention is proven, possible, and powerful. 

Treatment need not significantly impair normal activities if sufficient patient training, awareness, appropriate care, discipline in testing and dosing of insulin is taken. 

Treatment for the disease also includes checking blood sugar levels to make sure that the disease is under control. Treatment usually includes eating healthy foods and spreading carbohydrates throughout the day, exercising regularly, checking your blood sugar levels often, and possibly taking medicine.

And most of all this disease shouldn’t take all the fun out of shopping, cooking and dining. Diabetes treatment plans consist of a healthy diet, exercise, medications and sleep. 

Diabetes supplements can help you fight the effects of diabetes and help you to keep your blood sugar levels stabilized. Many people find natural diabetic supplements a valuable aid in improving their control of Type 2 Diabetes.



Karen

undisclosed asked:


If someone has diabetes and losing weight from anxiety and nervous issues how do you safely gain pounds? Sugar laden foods will affect blood sugar? All the foods to eat are low glycemic and therefore don’t pack on the pounds. What are some ways to gain without adding sugar and junk food?
It’s for a 77 yr old man that is losing muscle tone and weight this summer. Ideally to gain 20 lbs back so he has something to fall back on this winter if he gets sick.

Jack

Prof.Dr.A.K.Gupta,MD(Hom.) asked:


 

How to Deal with Diabetes Mellitus – (Sweet Disease)  - Homoeopathic Approach

 

     According to recent survey reports about 5% of the total world population is suffering from Diabetes Mellitus. The incidence rate is also reasonably high in India. Currently about 20% of Indian Population is at High risk to develop Diabetes Mellitus in future i.e. they are having abnormal glucose Tolerance test. Studies have revealed that diabetic women suffer more than men. A male who is diabetic has double the chances of a heart failure. In case of women it grows to almost 5 times and it is 8 times more if the patient is a young female.

 

    Diabetes is associated with long term complications that affect almost every major part of the body. It contributes to Blindness, Heart Disease, Stroke, Kidney Failure, Amputations, and Nerve Damage. Uncontrolled diabetes can complicate pregnancy.

 

What is Diabetes?

 

     Diabetes is a metabolic disorder where the human body either does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is required to convert Sugar , Starches and other food into Energy .The human body has to maintain the Blood Glucose level within a very narrow range, which is done with insulin and glucagons.  Diabetes is defined as abnormally High sugar level in blood and presence of sugar in urine due to lack or decreased proportion of  Insulin in human body. The Normal Blood Sugar levels should not exceed more than 100 mg% in Fasting state and 140 mg% , 2 hours after food in take which is called PP ( Post Perandial).

 

Types of Diabetes

 

                               Type I : This occur in young people, usually before the age of 20 years. Insulin is essential for its treatment.

 

                               Type II : It may occur at any age group but usually diagnosed after the age of 40 years. Oral hypoglycemic agents are the choice of treatment. Insulin is required only occasionally for the treatment of Type II diabetes.

 

                               Gestational Diabetes : It is detected during pregnancy. Treatment is usually not required. Blood sugar levels come down to the Normal after delivery of the baby.

 

DIABETES (Type - I) Also known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM ).

 

     Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome ( group/set of symptoms) characterized by increased level of sugar (glucose) in the blood due to deficiency or inactivity of hormone “Insulin” that is absolutely necessary to monitor glucose metabolism of body. It occurs when Pancreas no longer produces any or very little Insulin. The immune system attacks the insulin producing Beta Cells in the pancreas and destroy them. Insulin is needed in the body to use sugar for producing energy. Approximately 10% of people with diabeteshave Type-I diabetes. Someone with IDDM needs daily injections of Insulin.

 

            Diabetes is a worldwide disease and if not attended properly leads to serious complications.

 

IDDM (Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) or Type 1 diabetes is result of decreased production of hormone ‘”Insulin” by the pancreas (the organ that synthesizes insulin). Various factors including viral infections, stress, certain foods are known to trigger or aggravate the condition. But the root cause is disturbance of immune system where the defense mechanism of own body starts attacking the organs of own body and tissues. Some genetic factors and inborn errors are at the basis of this alteration in the immunity. Type I Diabetes is a constitutional disorder as it is an offshoot of constitutional defects (genetic factors, altered immunity) having an impact on the entire constitution of an individual. Hence it calls for an in-depth constitutional approach for its management.

 

DIABETES (Type II) or NIDDM ( Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus)

 

          The remaining 90% are  Non Insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) or Type II Diabetes .It occurs when the Pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when  the body does not use the insulin though it is produced effectively. It is more frequently observed in individuals who are obese. These are the individuals who have normal or less than normal production of insulin, but more importantly some body mechanism poses obstacle to the action of Insulin. The risk factors for this disorder include age, lifestyle (overeating with inactivity), pregnancy etc. But the most important factor is genetic defect that make one prone to this condition. Diabetes is a constitutional disorder as it is an offshoot of constitutional defect (genetic factors) having an impact on entire constitution of an individual. Hence it calls for an in-depth constitutional approach for its management.

 

GESTATIONALL DIABETES

 

          It is a temporary condition which occurs during pregnancy. It affects 0.5%  of pregnant women, with 40% of those cases developing into Type-II Diabetes later in life times. Treatment is usually not required. Blood sugar levels come down to the Normal after delivery of the baby.

 

SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES

 

          In both types of Diabetes , Signs and Symptoms are more likely to be similar as the Blood Sugar is High, either due to less or no production of Insulin, or Insulin resistance.

 

Diabetes can also be asymptomatic, however, the common symptoms are Increased Thirst, Appetite, Increased Urination, Sudden Loss of Weight or Increase in Weight, Easy Fatigability, Pruritis (Itching) - usually around Genital Organs, Numbness of Limbs, Non Haling of Cuts and Wounds, Frequently Changing Vision Power, Recurrent Skin Infections ( Fungal and Pyogenic). Few people are diagnosed only at the time of routine screening test before tooth extraction, operations or before starting the L.I.C. policies. Therefore people suffering with the above mentioned symptoms must go for blood sugar Testing.

 

Diabetes Type-I

 

            In type-I the pancreas stops producing insulin due to an autoimmune response or possibly, a viral attack on the pancreas. In the absence of insulin body cells do not get the required glucose for producing ATP( Adenosin Triphosphate) units, which results in primary symptoms in the form of nausea and vomiting. In later stages, which lead to breaking down the muscle tissue and fat for producing energy causing fast weight loss.

 

Diabetes Type - II

 

-         Increased Fatigue :- Unexplainable weakness, due to inefficiency of the cell in the metabolizing Glucose the reserve fat of the body is metabolized to gain energy.

 

-         Polydipsia :- As the concentration of Glucose increases in the blood the brain receives signals for diluting it and in its counteraction patient feels Thirsty.

 

-         Polyuria :- Increased in urine production is due to excess glucose present in the body, which gets rid of the extra sugar in the blood by excreting it through urine. This leads to dehydration because along with sugar a large amount of water is also excreted out of the body.

 

-         Polyphagia:- The hormone insulin is also responsible for stimulating  Hunger. In order to cope up with high sugar levels in blood the body produces insulin which leads to increased hunger.

 

-         Weight Fluctuation :- Factors like loss of water (polyuria), glucosuria, metabo;ism of body fat and protein may lead to weight loss.

 

-         Blurry Vision :- Hyperosmolar hyperglycemia nonketotic syndrome is the condition when body fluid is pulled out of tissues including lenses of the eye, which affects its ability to focus resulting in blurry vision.

 

-         Poor Wound Healing :- High blood sugar constrain the flourishing of WBC,(White Blood Cells) which are responsible for the body’s immune system. When these cells do not function properly wounds do not heal properly.

 

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

 

             Homoeopathy is based on the principle that disease is a total affliction of body. Moreover homoeopathy recognizes importance of root cause such as genetic and inherited factors as a root of any ailment of the body. The homoeopathy medicines prescribed on such strong footings plays a crucial role in management of many deep-rooted, chronic, difficult diseases; one amongst them being Diabetes. Diabetes cannot be cure completely but can effectively controlled. People with diabetes can lead a healthy life if their blood glucose level is under control. The decrease in life span of a diabetic is restored to normal by maintaining good blood glucose control( 90 – 120 mg/dl Fasting and with less than180mg/dl as PP(2 Hrs. after meals).

 

     Homeopathic treatment: When we talk about diseases like diabetes, we talk in terms of management rather than cure. Homoeopathy can be a major player in the management of Diabetes. Timely-administered homoeopathy medicines not only assist in maintaining levels of sugar, protein and fat metabolism, but also helps in preventing further progress and hence complications of the disease. The precipitating factors of diabetes like BP, Obesity etc. can be helped by homoeopathic medication. The complications of Diabetes also can be helped tremendously with homoeopathy. If homoeopathic treatment is opted earlier far less number of case would go to the stage of Amputation etc. Even the cases of Non Healing Diabetic Ulcers have been cured with homoeopathy in our AKGsOVIHAMS Medical Center Clinic.We have been able to help the patients of  long standing Diabetes to whom their Antidiabetic medicines stopped affecting anymore and needed the change in group of medication with persistent symptoms and threatening complications , after the proper Constitutiona Homoeopathic medicines ,the same medicines started affecting them once again with no persistence of symptoms and over all relief and comfort in their quality of life. Homoeopathy does help the person in regaining his health.

 

    

 

DIABETES MANAGEMENT

 

          

 

         To keep your blood sugar in control through out the day  you need diet modification, regular exercise and medicine and change in lifestyle by including  yoga, pranayam ,meditation , mental relaxation etc. into your daily schedule.  



Carmen

Bruce Andrew Peters asked:


Climbing to the top of Argentina’s Aconcagua - the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere - is no ordinary feat. It can take even the most experienced climbers three weeks to reach the 22,835-foot snow-capped summit.

David Panofsky, 35 of Madison, Wis.; Doug Bursnall, 31, of Wales; and

Katherine Bradt-Wells, 30, of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, climbed

to the summit of Aconcagua last year. And they have a lot more in common than mountain climbing. They all have Type I, or insulin-dependant diabetes, and they are all vegetarians. In fact, everyone on the 26-member Team International Diabetes Expedition Aconcagua 2000 (IDEA 2000) has Type I diabetes.

For people with this disease, the pancreas does not release sufficient amounts of insulin, a protein hormone necessary for the body to regulate the metabolism of sugar and certain carbohydrates. Diabetics may require insulin injections and blood testing — as often as eight times a day. Untreated, the disease can cause blindness, nerve damage, cardiovascular disease and kidney failure.

Panofsky, Burnsall and Bradt-Wells are also members of the Diabetes

Exercise and Sports Association (DESA), an international organization made up of amateur and professional athletes whose mission is to help people with diabetes achieve their athletic goals. The team’s success at Aconcagua served as a statement against the stereotypes that tend to define diabetics: that their activities must be restricted because they can become quickly incapacitated. And for Panofsky, Burnsall and Bradt-Wells, the trek to the summit was also a way of dismantling one of the myths about nutrition, meat and muscle power. A vegetarian diet, says Brandt-Wells, “Is much easier to digest to get important nutrients and vitamins – especially at high altitudes like 20,000 feet, where the altitude interferes with digestion.” Food poisoning is also avoided, points out Brandt-Wells, because vegetarian fare is much less likely to spoil than meat.

Most diabetics suffer from Type II diabetes, a non-insulin-dependent disorder that tends to develop in overweight adults and is often preventable. Type II diabetes can be caused by poor diet, excessive weight and a sedentary lifestyle. It is more easily treated than Type I diabetes, according to Stephen Clement, M.D., director of the Georgetown University Diabetes Center in Washington, D.C., mostly through oral medication or insulin injections, diet and exercise.

To reduce weight and increase insulin sensitivity — making insulin work better and thus reducing dosages — ‘‘eat less, exercise more,’’ said Marion Franz, a registered dietician and former director of Nutrition and Professional Education at the International Diabetes Center in Minneapolis, Minn. Reducing food intake, being selective about what they eat and exercising help keep diabetics in fit condition.

Speaking at the DESA annual conference held this month in Washington, D.C., Franz emphasized the benefit of eating smaller portions of lean meat — or replacing meat altogether with peas, beans, lentils, soy protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Last year, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a health-advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., and Georgetown

University Medical Center Department of Endocrinology published the

results of a study on the effectiveness of a vegetarian diet for

diabetics. In conjunction with the Diabetes Action and Education

Foundation in Arlington, Va., the Physicians Committee compared

‘‘fasting’’ glucose levels — the blood-sugar levels that result in the

absence of food for 12 hours — and weight loss of Type II diabetics,

using two types of diets for a period of three months. The pilot study had

13 participants; a follow-up study begins this year at The George

Washington University Medical Center with 60 participants.

‘‘We compared two different diets,’’ said Mark Sklar, M.D., an associate professor at Georgetown University Hospital’s Department of Endocrinology, ‘‘one, a high-fiber, low-fat, vegetarian diet that contains no animal products; and the other, a more common American Diabetes Association (ADA) diet, which contains meat and dairy products.’’

‘‘The vegan meals were made from unrefined vegetables, grains, beans,

and fruits, with no refined ingredients, such as vegetable oil, white flour, or white pasta,’’ said Neal Barnard, M.D., president of the Physicians Committee. ‘‘These meals averaged just 10 percent fat (as a percentage of calories), 80 percent complex carbohydrate and 10 percent protein. They also offered 60-70 grams of fiber per day and had no cholesterol at all.’’

The comparison (ADA) diet contained more plant-based ingredients than

the average American diet but still relied on the conventional chicken and

fish recipes. This diet was 30 percent fat and 50 percent carbohydrate. It

provided about 30 grams of fiber and 200 milligrams of cholesterol per day.

REDUCED INSULIN DOSAGES AND BETTER CONTROL

The fasting blood sugars in the vegetarian group decreased 28 percent,

whereas the ADA group’s blood sugars dropped only 12 percent. The

vegetarians needed less medication to control their blood sugars, whereas

the ADA group needed just as much medicine as before.

While the ADA dieters lost an impressive 8 pounds on average, the vegetarians lost nearly 16 pounds. Cholesterol levels also dropped more in the vegetarian group, compared to the ADA group.

Study vegetarian dieters said they were pleased with the weight loss

and the reduction or elimination of insulin injections or oral medication.

‘‘Being able to take control of my diabetes has been a wonderful thing,’’

said Scott Johnston, 34, a business consultant from Arlington, Va. ‘‘Had I

known that this diet would have such a powerful effect, I would have

adopted it years ago.’’

‘‘In the beginning, it’s not an easy diet,’’ said Sheldon Berman, 62,

of Washington, D.C. ‘‘But I managed to lose 17 pounds. I’m no longer on

medication for diabetes, and I am no longer on medication for blood

pressure. … The overall mental outlook on how I feel about myself as a

diabetic is much more hopeful now, as I am self-sufficient with a diet

that makes sense for me.’’

Worldwide, more than 125 million people have either insulin-dependent

or non-insulin dependent diabetes, according to Stuart Sundem, a senior

community health specialist at the International Diabetes Center in

Minneapolis, Minn. And that number is expected to skyrocket to more than

300 million by 2025, as Asian countries adopt Westernized lifestyle patterns of high consumption and sedentary activity, he said.

Francine Kaufman, M.D., president-elect of the American Diabetes

Association and chairman of Children’s Hospital Endocrinology Division in

Los Angeles, cites ‘‘fast food laden with fat and lower levels of activity’’ as the culprits for approximately 25 million cases of undiagnosed diabetes worldwide.

This month, the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases released the results of their own Diabetes Prevention Program study, showing that Type II diabetes can be prevented.

The study maintains that two different approaches — diet and exercise

therapy, and the administration of a diabetes medication, metformin –

were both effective. Just 30 minutes of daily exercise coupled with a

low-fat diet increases insulin sensitivity and reduces weight, possibly

eliminating the need for insulin injections altogether, according to the

report.

Christopher D. Saudek, M.D., president of the American Diabetes

Association and a principal investigator says ‘‘the Diabetes Prevention

Program conclusively proves that Type II diabetes is not inevitable for

people at high risk of developing it.’’

The DPP is the first study to demonstrate that prevention strategies

can work across the broad spectrum of racial and ethnic diversity. Both

lifestyle and medication interventions worked with those of Caucasian,

African, Latino, Native American, Asian and Pacific Islander origin.

Judith Ambrosini, another DESA member, has lived with diabetes for more

than 40 years. Currently a food columnist and caterer in Boston, Massachusetts, she became a vegetarian 20 years ago while living in Italy. ‘‘I

would go into town to the butcher shop,’’ she said, ‘‘but by the time I

got there, all that was left were brains, intestines and hearts.’’

She opted for the traditional Italian fare of pasta and vegetables when

she realized that she had better ‘‘make friends with this thing

(diabetes) — it will be with me for the rest of my life.’’

Mothers worldwide tell their children to eat their vegetables. This advice

may very well hold the answer to combating diabetes.

WEB-LINKS

Bruce Andrew Peters: http://www.GreatWriteUp.com

DESA: www.Diabetes-Exercise.org

IDEA 2000: www.IDEA2000.org

Physician Committee for Responsible Medicine: www.PCRM.org

International Diabetes Center: www.idcdiabetes.org



Stella