Page 1 - Diabetes-Classes

Classes of Diabetes

by Dr. Janet McKenzie, ND, MBA, BSn

The most prevalent forms of diabetes are commonly referred to as Type 1, Type 2 and is often necessary to take chromium as a supplement if a therapeutic level of the nutrient
gestational diabetes. In Type 1, the cells of the pancreas that secrete insulin die. Insulin is is needed.
the hormone that regulates blood sugar, or glucose, by influencing the capacity of cells to
use it as fuel for their activities. Vanadium
Vanadium is another mineral that has been shown to help normalize blood glucose levels,
Sometimes the insulin-secreting pancreatic cells die because of actions of the immune possibly through an insulin-like effect on cells. 10, 11 Food sources of vanadium include
system (“immune-mediated Type 1 diabetes”). At other times, there is no apparent cause seafood, mushrooms and culinary herbs such as black pepper, dill and parsley.
of cell death (“idiopathic Type 1 diabetes”) .
1
Bitter Melon
Type 1 diabetes can occur in people of any age but is the most common form affecting Bitter melon, also known as Momordica charantia, is a gourd-like fruit that grows in South
children, which is why in the past it was referred to as juvenile or early onset diabetes. America, Asia and Africa. It has been used by practitioners of folk medicine in those areas
Insulin-dependent diabetes is another term that has been used to refer to Type 1 diabetes. to control the symptoms of diabetes for centuries, and has been shown in research to have
a sugar-lowering impact. 12
In Type 2 diabetes, the body tissues become increasingly resistant to the effects of insulin.
Insulin secretion may be impacted in a variety of ways: it may initially increase, it may Gymnema
decrease or it may remain relatively unchanged. Type 2 diabetes tends to develop in Gymnema sylvestre is an herb commonly used in India to reduce the desire to eat sugary
people who are middle-aged or older, and may be caused or worsened by poor dietary and foods. It has been shown in research to reduce the symptoms of diabetes and improve
lifestyle habits. This form of diabetes has also been referred to as non-insulin-dependent blood markers of the condition, such as glycated hemoglobin. 13, 14
or late onset diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is considered to be preventable because an appropriate diet and exercise
Gestational diabetes occurs in as many as 7% of pregnancies and resembles Type 2 regimen can forestall the development of the disease. But irrespective of the “face”
diabetes in that it involves some combination of reduced insulin production and altered diabetes is presenting; diet, lifestyle factors and targeted supplementation can make
insulin sensitivity . significant improvements in the signs and symptoms of the condition. If you think you
2
might be at risk for diabetes, consider discussing your situation with a naturopathic doctor
Gestational diabetes is sometimes referred to as Type 3 diabetes, as is another condition, – a natural treatment just might make all the difference.
latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). LADA is a condition in which Type 1
diabetes develops in an adult. It may be misdiagnosed as Type 2 diabetes if the diagnosis References
is based on the person’s age rather than on the nature of the metabolic failure (loss of 1 Rother KI. Diabetes treatment--bridging the divide. N Engl J Med. 2007 Apr 12;356(15):1499-501.
insulin-secreting cells versus loss of tissue receptors for insulin) . 2 Ferrara A et al. An increase in the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus: Northern California, 1991-2000.
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Obstet Gynecol. 2004 Mar;103(3):526-33.
Prediabetes is a condition in which sensitivity to insulin is declining. It is characterized 3 Landin-Olsson, Mona Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
by blood sugar levels that are at or just above the high end of the normal range and is 958:112-116 (2002)
Bailey, R et al. Association of the Vitamin D Metabolism Gene CYP27B1 With Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes October
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thought to precede the development of Type 2 diabetes. 2007 vol. 56 no. 10 2616-2621
5 Mohr, S. B. et al. The association between ultraviolet B irradiance, vitamin D status and incidence rates of type 1
Natural Treatments for Diabetes diabetes in 51 regions worldwide. Diabetologia 2008 Volume 51, Number 8, 1391-1398
The objectives of treatment for all forms of diabetes are the same: to improve the uptake 6 Palomer, X. Role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes, Obesity and
of glucose at a cellular level and to maintain blood glucose levels within a tight spectrum. Metabolism. March 2008; 10(3):185–197
Vitamin, mineral and botanical supplementation can be effective in achieving these 7 Chiu KC, Chu A, Go VL, Saad MF: Hypovitaminosis D is associated with insulin resistance and beta cell
objectives. dysfunction. Am J Clin Nutr 79:820–825, 2004
8 Albarracin, C.A. et al. Chromium picolinate and biotin combination improves glucose metabolism in treated,
Vitamin D uncontrolled overweight to obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews
Our bodies make Vitamin D when they are exposed to sufficient quantities of sunlight. Jan 2008; 24(1): 41–51
Balk, E. M. et al. Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Glucose Metabolism and Lipids: A systematic review
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Because we live in a northern climate, Canadians are at risk for Vitamin D deficiency, of randomized controlled trials. Diabetes Care August 2007; 30(8): 2154-2163
especially during the winter. Recent studies have shown a link between decreased levels 10 Karmaker S A novel drug delivery system for type 1 diabetes: insulin-mimetic vanadyl-poly(gamma-glutamic
of Vitamin D and susceptibility to both Type 1 and Type 2 acid) complex. J Inorg Biochem. 2006 Sep;100(9):1535-46.
diabetes. 4, 5, 6, 7 11 Sakurai H et al. Metallo-allixinate complexes with anti-diabetic and anti-metabolic syndrome activities.
Metallomics. 2010 Oct 1;2(10):670-82.
Food sources of Vitamin D include cod, salmon, sardines, milk and eggs. Consult your MD 12 Nahas R and Moher M Complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Can Fam
or naturopathic doctor if you are concerned about being deficient. Physician June 2009; 55 (6): 591 - 596
13 Kumar S.N. et al. An Open Label Study on the Supplementation of Gymnema sylvestre in Type 2 Diabetics.
Chromium Journal Of Dietary Supplements. September 2010; 7(3): 273-282
Chromium is a component of a molecule known as glucose tolerance factor (GTF) which 14 Liu, Bo et al. Characterisation of the Insulinotropic Activity of an Aqueous Extract of Gymnema Sylvestre in
helps cell receptors respond to insulin to stabilize blood glucose levels. Studies show that Mouse β-Cells and Human Islets of Langerhans. Cell Physiol Biochem 2009;23:125-132
chromium can enhance impaired glucose metabolism. 8,9
Janet McKenzie is a graduate of the University of British Columbia School of Nursing, Queen’s School
of Business and the Canadian School of Naturopathic Medicine. She has practices in Hamilton and
Good food sources of chromium include romaine lettuce, tomatoes and onions. While Toronto, and teaches at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition.
chromium is found in many foods, it tends to be there in very small amounts. As a result, it