Type 2 Diabetes: A Lifestyle disorder!
By Steven Horne
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We all know that it's possible to get too much of a good thing, and that’s especially true where blood sugar is involved. There is no question that we need sugar.  Sugar is an important fuel for the nerve and muscle cells, and without enough of it we don’t have the energy to perform well or think clearly. But, when blood sugar levels get too high, it causes a disease known as diabetes.  And, there’s nothing sweet about diabetes.

Health Problems Associated with Diabetes

Diabetes contributes to many serious health problems. First of all, having diabetes increases one’s risk of heart attack, strokes and peripheral vascular disease.  It contributes to high blood pressure.  It damages the kidneys and can lead to progressive renal failure.

Diabetes affects the eyes, contributing to blurred vision, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness. Diabetes can cause poor circulation and nerve function in the lower extremities.  This can result in the development of ulcerations and gangrene, which can result in the need for amputation. Diabetes also causes neuropathy, a deterioration of the nerves that can cause numbness or tingling.  It affects the nerves in the entire body and can contribute to mood swings, depression and possibly even dementia.

The immune system is disturbed in diabetes, which makes a diabetic more prone to catch infections and have a harder time fighting them. Recurrent infections of the skin, gums or urinary tract are possible with diabetes.  Diabetes slows healing ability, too, making it harder to heal from minor cuts and bruises.

Diabetes is a Growing Problem

According to the American Diabetes Association diabetes affects 23.6 million people in the United States. That’s 7.8% of the population! Worse yet, another 51 million people are pre-diabetic and diabetes is becoming more prevalent in children.

Diabetes is also increasing worldwide.  According to recently released information by the International Diabetes Federation, worldwide diagnosed cases of diabetes have increased from 30 million to 246 million in just two decades.

Many people think of diabetes as a genetic disorder, something you’ll develop because it runs in your family.  This is not true, as evidenced by the fact that diabetes was rare among previous generations who ate more traditional diets.  The global problem with diabetes has risen as people have adopted the habit of eating refined and processed foods.  Diabetes, therefore, is primarily a lifestyle disorder.

Understanding Diabetes

There are two major types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. The most common form is type 2, Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) also known as adult-onset diabetes because it usually develops in people over the age of 40. Ninety-percent of all diabetics are Type 2.

The other 10% of diabetics have type 1, Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM). Type 1 diabetes is also known as juvenille diabetes because it typically develops when people are young.These are two very different disorders. In type 1 insulin levels are low due to the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas, the cells that produce insulin.  In type 2 diabetes insulin levels are high due to cellular resistance to the effects of insulin.

Type 1 diabetics typically experience weight loss and are thin, while type 2 diabetics typically gain weight and have a hard time losing it. There are a few other rare types of diabetes. One can develop diabetes as a secondary disorder to pancreatic diseases, hormone imbalances or malnutrition or during pregnancy.

Causes of Diabetes

The causes of type 1 diabetes aren’t fully understood. It is probable that it is an autoimmune reaction, but could also be due to damage from toxins and free radicals or infection, but lifestyle factors may still play a role.  There are studies from Australia and Italy showing that breast fed children have a 34% lower risk of developing diabetes.  I also believe there is a strong connection between vaccinations and type 1 diabetes.

Even if we don’t understand the lifestyle factors that contribute to type 1 diabetes, we do know the lifestyle factors that contribute to type 2. A diet high in simple carbohydrates, which is also lacking in many critical vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients is the key culprit.  A lack of physical activity (exercise) is another key factor. Knowing the cause of insulin-resistance in type 2 diabetes also means that the condition can be cured. As the 18th century herbalist Samuel Thomson said, “Remove the cause and the effect will cease.

Most cases of diabetes improve greatly, if not completely, when a proper diet and program of physical activity is followed.  When you add to that a knowledge of the many herbs and nutrients that can be used to increase cellular sensitivity to insulin, the odds of a cure are greatly enhanced. The problem is compliance.  Many diabetics would rather suffer with the serious effects of their disease than have to change their diet and lifestyle and be cured.  This is why emotional healing work can also be extremely important in helping diabetics.

Helpful Herbs and Supplements

We’ve posted one article on our website about products that can overcome insulin resistance and help diabetics improve their health.  These formulas and therapies for type 2 diabetics can also improve the health of type 1 diabetics, but will not result in a “cure.”   These articles cover my three favorite natural remedies for diabetes, goldenseal, Target P-14 and SugarReg.

Goldenseal is one of my favorite single herbs for diabetes.  It has been called “natural insulin” by some herbalists because of its ability to reduce blood sugar.  Target P-14 is a unique product to Nature’s Sunshine that combines herbs that are helpful for diabetetics with targeted chromium and zinc that help the pancreas function better.  SugarReg is a formula that also contains herbs known to reduce insulin resistance along with chromium and vanadium.

It is possible to have too much of a good thing, but there are some things you can never have too much of and one of those things is good health.  If you don’t have diabetes, adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle can insure you never develop this condition and if you do, then adopting the same healthy diet and lifestyle can greatly improve the quality of your health and may even result in a complete cure.

Goldenseal

Target P-14

SugarReg