According to the American Diabetes Association, 8% of Americans suffer from diabetes, an epidemic growing throughout the world. One in four over the age of 60 suffer from the complications of diabetes. Vision loss, kidney failure leading to dialysis and amputations caused by nerve damage to the feet add up to a debilitating lifestyle. Diabetics are two to four times at greater risk for high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack. 68% of them will die prematurely.
The conventional approach is to lower blood sugar through drugs and insulin injections. One major study, called ACCORD (Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes) had to be cut down to 3.5 years of treatment from the 5.6 years planned for the study. 54 more deaths occurred compared to a control group.
Preventing diabetic complications starts with taking steps to address the fundamental causes that lead so many to suffer amputations and blindness.
The Right Lifestyle
No doctor will ever force their patients into eating fish, fresh fruit and vegetables over French fries, hamburger and Coke. The diabetic needs to be motivated into adopting a high fiber, low glycemic and low fat diet to control blood sugar levels and lower cardiovascular risk factors. Neither will the doctor push their patients out the door to take a 15 minute walk after every meal to reduce after-meal blood sugar levels. Few diabetics have any motivation to quit smoking and reduce their stress levels through sleep and relaxation.
The Need for Multivitamin Supplements
Diet and exercise have become the mantra of many doctors today. But they leave out the importance of taking nutritional supplements. Diabetics lose more vitamins and minerals than healthy people. The kidneys strive to eliminate excess glucose to restore balance. Along with excess glucose, the kidneys also flush out essential vitamins and minerals. Daily multivitamin supplements become imperative to maintain proper vitamin and mineral levels in the body. Considering that most foods today are largely devoid of nutrients, supplementing becomes crucial to avoid diabetic complications. Diabetics need more vitamins and minerals to help keep blood sugar normal and prevent complications.
Reduction of Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGE)
Glycation is a process where sugars bind to proteins and create AGEs that cross link with collagen. The collagen accumulates in tissues to trigger inflammation and create oxidative stress. High blood sugar levels lead to AGE formation. Many sodas contain high fructose corn syrup which leads to inflammation and weight gain. Benfotiamine, a form of thiamine (B1) interferes with the production of AGEs. It helps to reduce the pain associated with neuropathy. It helps to improve nerve conduction. Diabetics should take it along with Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) and vitamin B6 to prevent the nerve damage and the blood vessels that serve the kidneys and the eyes.
Increased Nitric Oxide (NO) Levels
Well known among bodybuilders, NO improves circulation by relaxing blood vessel walls so blood can flow more freely. That helps lower blood pressure and increases the libido in men. Oligonol, an extract from lychee fruit, has special antioxidants that activate the NO pathways in the blood vessels to stimulate the flow of blood to the remotest parts of the body, chiefly the fingers and toes. Oligonol is a recent discover but promises better circulation to those areas of the body where veins are more likely to die from restricted blood flow.
These four ingredients can help prevent neuropathy and increase the healing of skin ulcers that often occurs among diabetics. Vision loss, kidney problems and cardiovascular disease are not inevitable for diabetics. It only requires taking the initiative and implementing the steps to prevent further deterioration.
Sources:
ghc.on.ca: "Complications of Diabetes" (accessed Jan. 26, 2011)
naturalproductsinsider.com: "Oligonol May Protect Kidneys in Diabetics" (accessed Jan. 26, 2011)
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
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