Posts Tagged ‘Diabetes’

Prevent Diabetic Complication with Antioxidants

Friday, September 9th, 2011

The epidemic of diabetes is gathering steam. More than one in 10 adults in this country and nearly one in four over age 60 are now affected—and its related complications are on the upswing. Hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer with vision loss, kidney failure, neuropathy, and lower-limb amputations brought on by diabetes-induced nerve and blood vessel damage. Millions more have hypertension and blood lipid abnormalities, and thanks to diabetes’ two- to four-fold increased risk of heart attack and stroke, 68 percent of them will die prematurely of cardiovascular disease.

The only thing that can save your eyes, legs, kidneys, heart—and your life—is you. Yes, that’s right, you!

Antioxidants Protect Against Complications. The increase in urination that is characteristic of diabetes causes nutritional deficiencies. Subpar levels of vitamin D, vitamin C, magnesium, B-complex vitamins, zinc, and other essential nutrients are very common in this group. Did you know, for example, that metformin, the most popular diabetes drug, impairs vitamin B12 absorption and leads to deficiencies in 30 percent of patients who take it—and that a B12 deficiency can cause nerve damage? Or that patients with diabetes who have the lowest levels of magnesium are at greatest risk of retinopathy and vision loss?

Antioxidants are particularly important because diabetes unleashes a storm of oxidative stress, or free-radical damage, which plays a key role in the vascular and nerve damage that underlie diabetic complications. That’s why I recommend you take extra antioxidants (in addition to those in your multi). There are many excellent “designer” antioxidants, including coenzyme Q10, acetyl-L-carnitine, and N-acetyl-cysteine. But if I had to choose just one for people with diabetes, it would be alpha lipoic acid (ALA).

ALA has the unique ability to work in both water- and fat-soluble mediums and to regenerate vitamins C and E and other antioxidants. Furthermore, it actually improves the diabetic condition by enhancing glucose uptake, increasing insulin sensitivity, and protecting against beta cell destruction. Most important are ALA’s effects on diabetic complications. Studies show that daily doses of 600 mg or higher of ALA reduce pain, burning, numbness, tingling, and other symptoms of neuropathy. Benefits also have been demonstrated for diabetes-related eye, kidney, and cardiovascular disease.

The Damage Can Be Reversed. We’ve treated thousands of patients at Whitaker Wellness over the years who’ve come to the clinic as a last resort after being told by their conventional doctors that nothing else could be done. We put them on a lifestyle program and supplement regimen for lowering blood sugar, which is extremely important in addressing complications. And we treat them with safe, effective, noninvasive therapies that all physicians should be using.

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Posted in Alternative Medicine, Diabetes, Diabetic Complications, Prevention, Wellness | No Comments »

Sugar-Free Ways to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

Since the dawn of time, humans have been indulging in sweets—from the fruits and berries gathered by our cave-dwelling ancestors to the sugar-laden treats that take up multiple aisles in today’s supermarkets. The desire for something sweet is innate. It is the first taste recognized by newborns, and the sweet foods our ancestors were drawn to contained nutrients necessary for survival.

Today, however, we’ve just gone overboard. Americans consume a whopping 165 pounds of sugar per year, most of it coming from candy, sodas, and the like. We guzzle nearly 57 gallons of “liquid candy” per person annually, and 99 percent of all US households purchase candy at some time during the year. Now, that’s a lot of sugar.

In the late 50s, scientists opened a whole new can of worms: artificial sweeteners with low or non-existent calorie counts. This was music to America’s ears. In 1963, Tab, the first diet soda, debuted, and, over the next few decades, thousands of diet products flooded the market. The nation was hooked.

Problem was, numerous studies conducted in the 1970s linked these artificial sweeteners to serious problems, including cancer. Yet these findings were swept under the rug as these chemical additives were accepted with open arms by the FDA and approved for use by the general population. Today, it seems new sugar-free products are introduced almost daily and each claims to be the best, safest, and tastiest. But as far as I’m concerned, artificial sweeteners are not the answer—especially when far safer natural alternatives exist.

Topping my list of favorite natural sweeteners is stevia. This herb has been used for over 1,500 years in South America and continues to boast world-wide popularity. It is calorie-free and does not affect blood sugar levels, making it safe for people with diabetes. Just a few drops of a liquid concentrate or a dusting of powdered stevia is all you need to lend sweetness to any dish. It’s the sweetener of choice at the Whitaker Wellness Institute, and if you haven’t tried it yet, you should.

Running a close second is xylitol. This sweetener looks and tastes like sugar, making it ideal for baking. Better yet, it’s good for your teeth: Xylitol actually reduces cavity and plaque formation, a dental claim approved by the FDA. Although xylitol is not calorie-free, it is metabolized much more slowly than regular sugar and has an extremely low glycemic index, so it too is safe for diabetics. The only reported side effect is gastrointestinal (GI) distress when large amounts are ingested.

Finally, there’s erythritol. It looks like sugar, it tastes like sugar, and you can even cook and bake with it just like sugar. But unlike sugar’s 16 calories and 4 carbohydrates per teaspoon, it has zero calories, no carbs to speak of, and it doesn’t affect glucose levels, which makes it perfect for diabetics and people watching their weight. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol naturally present in many fruits and vegetables. While many sugar alcohols are notorious for their laxative effects, erythritol has far less potential for causing GI issues when consumed in moderation. As for safety, an entire issue of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology was dedicated to this sweetener, and only minimal side effects were noted at high doses.

I know as well as you do that cravings for treats aren’t going to disappear, but there are good and bad ways to satisfy your sweet tooth. An occasional sugar splurge isn’t going to hurt you, but overindulgence can contribute to a host of health problems. When the urge hits you, get your “fix” with stevia, xylitol, or erythritol. You can find these natural sweeteners in health food stores, some grocery stores and supermarkets, and through various online retailers.

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Posted in Diabetes, Diet, Weight Loss, Wellness | 1 Comment »

Defeating Diabetic Neuropathy

Friday, August 20th, 2010

If you or someone you know is dealing with diabetic neuropathy, you are aware just how painful and debilitating this condition can be. The numbness, discomfort, and loss of sensation in the extremities isn’t just inconvenient—it can cause real problems. Fortunately, several effective therapies for diabetic neuropathy exist. Here are a few of my favorites.

Chelation. Chelation is an intravenous therapy that binds to metal ions in the blood, carrying them to the kidneys where they are excreted in the urine. Used for heavy metal poisoning, chelation also improves circulation, which helps alleviate symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.

Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP). EECP increases blood flow to the extremities and reduces symptoms of diabetic and peripheral neuropathy. During 35 one-hour sessions, pressurized cuffs are placed around the lower extremities. With each beat of the heart, the cuffs contract, squeezing blood up toward the heart and throughout the body, increasing circulation.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). HBOT is administered in a specially designed, pressurized chamber. When 100 percent oxygen is inhaled in this environment, it is easily absorbed, even in areas where blood supply is limited. This infusion helps boost circulation and improves a wide number of conditions, including diabetic neuropathy.

Infrared Light Therapy. Infrared light therapy (brand names Health Light and Anodyne) delivers special wavelengths of infrared light through the skin to the affected tissues, increasing the production of nitric oxide (a signaling molecule in short supply in diabetics). This painless procedure enhances blood flow, improves circulation, and has restored sensation in 93 percent of patients in eight separate clinical trials.

Alpha Lipoic Acid. Also known as lipoic acid or ALA, alpha lipoic acid is my top supplement recommendation for treating diabetic neuropathy. ALA is an extraordinary antioxidant that, in addition to quenching free radicals, has been shown in clinical studies to improve pain, burning, numbness, and other symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. The suggested dose is 600-1,200 mg per day in divided doses.

High-Dose Antioxidants.  Because oxidative damage plays a large role in diabetic neuropathy, high doses of antioxidants are imperative. Aim for 300-800 IU of vitamin E, a minimum of 1,000 mg of vitamin C, and 15,000 IU of vitamin A (as mostly beta-carotene.) A high-quality multi should contain these levels.

B-Complex Vitamins. When it comes to supporting nerve health, B-complex vitamins are essential. Suggested minimum doses are 800 mcg of folic acid, 150 mcg of B12, and 75 mg of B6. Again, a good multivitamin/mineral supplement should contain these doses.

Fish Oil. Inflammation is also a factor in diabetic neuropathy and fish oil is just the supplement to counteract this symptom. For best results, take 2-8 g of high-quality fish oil daily.

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Posted in Alternative Medicine, Diabetes, Diabetes Treatment, Diabetic Complications, Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins | No Comments »

A Sweet Cure From the Kitchen

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Throughout history, people have used herbs, spices, and other non-drug remedies to prevent and treat a variety of health concerns. Let’s take a closer look at one of my favorite “kitchen cures.”

Mentioned in Chinese texts dating back to 2700 BC, cinnamon has made appearances in the Bible, graced the tables of ancient Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians, and been deemed at one time a gift fit for a king. Today, cinnamon’s medicinal benefits, as well as its culinary uses, keep it in high esteem—and for good reason.

This spice improves insulin sensitivity and has profound effects on blood sugar. German researchers gave patients with type 2 diabetes who were on oral drugs either an aqueous extract of cinnamon (the equivalent of 3 g of cinnamon powder) or a placebo daily. After four months, the group taking cinnamon experienced a 10.3 percent reduction in blood sugar, compared to the placebo group’s drop of 3.4 percent. This effect was even more pronounced in an earlier study, in which blood sugar levels fell 18 to 29 percent with doses of 1 to 3 g of cinnamon per day.

A recent study confirms that cinnamon also lowers blood pressure, a benefit I’ve been hearing about for some time from my patients and readers. Marsha, a Health & Healing subscriber from Memphis, reported that taking a cinnamon extract and drinking cinnamon tea lowered her blood pressure from 215/110 to an average of 125–135/60–70! In addition, it has been shown to drive down triglycerides 23 to 30 percent and LDL cholesterol 7 to 27 percent over a 40-day period.

Cinnamon’s other purported benefits range from curing the common cold and relieving arthritis to improving memory and warding off insects. Although I’m not certain these claims will pan out, the wide-ranging benefits of this spice make it a worthy addition.

But don’t just add ground cinnamon to your food. Research suggests that chemicals in saliva render it ineffective. Furthermore, whole cinnamon contains some undesirable compounds that are eliminated when it is mixed in hot water. Therefore, I recommend taking a water-soluble cinnamon extract, drinking cinnamon tea, or adding cinnamon to ground coffee before brewing. The suggested dose is a quarter to a half teaspoon twice a day.

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Posted in Diabetes, Diabetes Treatment, Diet, Foods That Heal, Nutritional Supplements, Prevention, Vitamins, Wellness | No Comments »

Vitamin E for Diabetes

Monday, March 15th, 2010

More bad news about Avandia, a popular drug prescribed to patients with diabetes. Several studies have found that, compared to other drugs, Avandia increases risk of heart failure by 60 percent, heart attack by 40 percent, and death in patients age 65 and over by 30 percent. We’ve known for some time that this drug is killing people, but the FDA has refused to even strengthen its label warning, let alone take it off the market. Even worse, patients are being recruited for long-term studies of this dangerous drug!

If you have type 2 diabetes, avoid this drug like the plague. Diet, exercise, weight loss, and targeted nutritional supplements are the best way to control blood sugar. And to protect against diabetic complications, nothing beats nutritional supplements. Approximately 40 percent of people with diabetes have a gene variation (haptoglobin (Hp) 2-2 gene) that increases oxidative stress and doubles or triples their risk of cardiovascular disease. Israeli researchers found that when these people took 400 IU of vitamin E daily, their risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart attack, and death fell by 50 percent! Vitamin E’s benefits were so profound the study was terminated early so all study participants could benefit.

Genetic tests are available, but my recommendation to anyone with diabetes is to take at least 400 IU of natural vitamin E every day. In fact, because other studies suggest that this vitamin protects against the onset of diabetes, I encourage everyone, regardless of health status, to take natural vitamin E.

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Posted in Dangerous Drugs, Diabetes, Vitamins | 1 Comment »

Low Thyroid Getting You Down?

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Are you tired and sluggish? Is your weight a constant struggle? Do you have problems with dry skin, cold hands and feet, depression, or constipation? Then you may well have hypothyroidism. Low thyroid function affects one in 10 Americans and up to one in five older women. Yet this very common condition often goes undiagnosed. 

When it is diagnosed, most doctors write a prescription for Synthroid (levothyroxin). This, in my opinion, is bad medicine. Although the thyroid produces a number of hormones, Synthroid is a synthetic version of just one of them (T4). At Whitaker Wellness, we use only natural hormone replacement, and that includes natural thyroid, which contains the full spectrum of thyroid hormones. Although some people do well on Synthroid, most of my patients note dramatic improvements after switching to natural hormone replacement.

If you’re already using natural thyroid, I’m sure you’re aware that availability has been spotty for some time now. Prescriptions for popular brands such as Armour Thyroid, Nature-Throid, and Westhroid have been on backorder for months. Raw materials shortages may be part of the issue, but other factors are also involved. The FDA has declared that natural thyroid is an unapproved drug and, to distribute it, pharmaceutical companies must go through a lengthy and expensive new drug approval process.

This has nothing to do with the safety or efficacy of natural thyroid, which has been included in the U.S. Pharmacopeia—the official authority for prescription and over-the-counter drugs manufactured or sold in the United States—for more than a century. It’s simply another of the FDA’s attempts to put the kibosh on all forms of natural hormone replacement.

It appears that the shortage of natural thyroid is finally beginning to ease up and limited quantities are being released. If Armour, Nature-Throid, or Westhroid are not available in your pharmacy, contact a compounding pharmacy to see if they can formulate a similar product.

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Posted in Fatigue, Natural Hormone Replacement, Weight Loss | 2 Comments »

Lifestyle Changes More Effective Than Drugs for Diabetes

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Recent research published in the respected medical journal The Lancet confirms what I’ve been saying for years: Natural treatments for diabetes are more effective than drugs.

This 10-year follow-up study revealed that high-risk adults following a program of lifestyle changes were able to reduce their risk of developing full-blown diabetes by 58 percent. In contrast, in a comparable group given the oral diabetes drug metformin, incidence of diabetes was reduced by 31 percent.

Though conventional medicine relies heavily on oral diabetes drugs, these medications are replete with serious side effects including cardiovascular problems such as heart attack and stroke as well as substantial weight gain. To find out that they aren’t even all that effective–on top of these risks–makes you question why such medications are ever prescribed. But that’s another story.

Here at the Whitaker Wellness Institute we focus on the following natural diabetes treatments to get blood sugar under control once and for all.

  • Weight Loss: Hands down, losing weight is the best therapy for type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, there’s no magic bullet for weight loss. It requires diet changes, an exercise program, and determination.
  • Diet: The most therapeutic diet for diabetes is a low-glycemic, Mediterranean-style menu with lots of vegetables and lean protein, such as fish and poultry; modest amounts of fruit (one serving per day); and healthful fats like olive oil. Stay away from sugar and starches—pasta, cereals, and other grain-based foods drive up blood sugar and increase appetite.
  • Exercise: I recommend a brisk 10-minute walk after meals and several sessions of resistance exercise weekly. Walking and other forms of aerobic exercise lower blood sugar and burn calories, while resistance exercise such as weightlifting builds muscle and improves long-term insulin sensitivity.
  • Nutritional Supplements: To guard against complications of the blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys, take a potent, antioxidant-rich daily multivitamin to replace the nutrients that are inevitably lost as a result of the diabetic condition. To lower blood sugar, take vanadyl sulfate 100 mg, alpha lipoic acid 600 mg, chromium 200 mcg, cinnamon 500–1,000 mg, and Gymnema sylvestre 400 mg daily. They may be taken individually or in combination formulas.

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Posted in Diabetes, Diabetes Treatment | 1 Comment »

Mini-Fast Your Way to Better Health

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

According to a recent online post in the US News and World Report, 62 percent of American’s resolved to exercise more, 60 percent had a goal of eating better, and 46 percent wanted to lose weight in 2010. These aspirations are great but it’s no secret that most New Year’s resolutions are little more than memories by the time February rolls around—and some don’t even last that long.

Losing weight and getting in shape can be difficult, especially if you turn to starvation diets, insane workout regimens, or other drastic measures. But we’ve recently instituted a program at the Whitaker Wellness Institute that helps patients shed pounds, get their diabetes under control, lower blood pressure, and improve health overall. It’s a mini-fast coupled with exercise and it’s so easy, just about anyone can do it.

  • When you wake up in the morning, drink a glass of water or a cup of coffee or tea. It’s okay to sweeten your AM beverage with a little low-calorie sweetener such as xylitol or stevia and to add a small amount of creamer but don’t drink or eat anything else.
  • Next, get out and exercise moderately for 20-45 minutes. You can walk, cycle, or jog—anything aerobic.
  • After your workout, continue on with your day but do not eat or drink anything other than water, coffee, or tea until lunchtime. (You may also take your nutritional supplements if they don’t upset your stomach.) You will probably have to try it to believe it but the combination of exercise and fasting actually blunts your appetite, and the caffeine in tea and coffee helps to put the brakes on hunger as well.
  • Your mini-fast ends at lunch. You should eat sensibly for the rest of the day, focusing on lean protein sources such as turkey, chicken, fish, and eggs, and low-glycemic carbohydrates like beans and legumes, fiber-rich veggies, and a little fruit.

Skipping your morning meal not only cuts down on the calories you take in but adding exercise burns additional calories and helps kick-start fat burning in a process called ketosis.

In a recent study of obese individuals, participants who followed this mini-fast protocol for 12 weeks lost 16 pounds of fat (25 percent of their initial fat mass) plus three inches around the waist. The biggest losers were a man and woman who respectively lost an astonishing 44 and 31 pounds of fat! Additionally, the group’s fasting insulin fell by one-quarter, into the normal range.

Try the mini-fast/exercise combo yourself and let me know how it works for you. Don’t be surprised if you see improvements in all aspects of your health—from lower blood sugar readings and better blood pressure to improvements in energy, weight, and so much more. Good luck to you and here’s to starting 2010 off right.

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Posted in Diabetes, Diet, Exercise, Weight Loss | 3 Comments »

The Fantastic Health Benefits of Fiber

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

We all know fiber is good for us. It helps “move things along.” It aids in satiety, making you feel full longer. And the latest research suggests that getting plenty of fiber may not only stave off type 2 diabetes but also improve blood sugar levels in those already diagnosed with the disease.

Apples may come to mind when you’re thinking high-fiber foods. And with 5 grams in each medium-sized piece of fruit, they’re not a bad choice. (Don’t forget to eat the skin!) However, there are a number of other delicious and healthy high-fiber foods out there. Here’s a list of some of my favorites. 

1 cup beans (12-15 grams, depending on variety)
1 medium-sized avocado (11.84 grams)
1 cup raspberries (8.34 grams)
1 cup soybeans (7.62 grams)
1 cup cooked kale (7.20 grams)
½ medium grapefruit (6.12 grams)
1 cup cooked sweet potato (5.94 grams)

Source: Common Sense Health Web site

While all of these foods contain appreciable amounts of fiber, my number one recommendation is freshly ground flax seed. In addition to providing 11 grams of fiber per quarter-cup, flax is also a great source of protective lignans and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. It has impressive cholesterol-lowering benefits as well.

A few years ago, Beverly M. had a cholesterol level of 307. She read about my recommendations for lowering cholesterol in my newsletter, Health & Healing, and began taking flax seed. Within six months, her cholesterol fell to 206. As she says, “It sure beats Pravachol [a statin drug] with all its side effects at over a hundred dollars a prescription.”

Just buy a cheap coffee grinder , and grind up ¼-cup of flax seeds a day. Mix  in water and drink quickly (it thickens upon standing), or sprinkle on salads, soups, or other foods. You’re bound to notice the benefits soon after adopting this healthy practice.

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Do You Really Need to Test Your Blood Sugar Every Day?

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Many people with type 2 diabetes are told by their doctors to test their blood sugar levels multiple times daily. This is not only inconvenient and expensive but also unnecessary—especially if you aren’t on insulin and this testing isn’t resulting in changes to your treatment.

For instance, if you aren’t using your readings to adjust your medication dosages or to identify and eliminate problems foods from your diet, then what’s the point?

Last year, two studies published in the esteemed British Medical Journal found that regular self-monitoring of glucose levels was associated with lower quality of life, increased costs, and higher rates of depression. What’s worse is that this obsessive testing did not result in better glycemic control. (For study details, click on the links below.)

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/336/7654/1174
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/336/7654/1139

Here at the Whitaker Wellness Institute, instead of regular self-testing, we monitor our patients’ A1C levels. Unlike finger-stick glucose tests, A1C reveals an average of blood sugar over the past few months. This test gives us a broader picture and allows us to determine if the diet and supplement regimens we prescribe are working effectively to keep blood sugar under control.

Instead of oral drugs or insulin, we treat our patients who have diabetes with targeted nutritional supplements and lifestyle modifications (more exercise, fewer carbohydrates, weight loss, etc.). This natural approach has helped tens of thousands of our patients say goodbye to diabetes and its debilitating complications and hello to a healthier, more vital life.

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