Type II Diabetes: Does It Run In Your Family?

Type II Diabetes:

Does It Run In Your Family?

If you find, at any stage of life, you have developed what is commonly known as “insulin resistance”, you have Type II diabetes. The difference between this type of diabetes (Type II) and the other type (Type I) is your body’s ability to produce insulin. To clarify, a Type I diabetic experiences insulin deficiency, meaning their pancreas simply doesn’t produce enough insulin to metabolize sugars in the bloodstream. Type I diabetics must always supply their own insulin needs to live normal lives. A Type II diabetic’s pancreas produces insulin in response to blood sugar spikes, their cells simply don’t absorb and utilize the insulin produced effectively anymore. Type I diabetes is a condition you were born with, Type II is a condition that has developed over time. Both types of diabetes can be genetically related and both are treatable, but only one is “curable“. Type I diabetics must take insulin shots daily for life. Type II diabetics may or may not require shots of insulin if their insulin issues are treatable in other ways- by medication, adjustments in diet, exercise and even supplementation. Here are some ways Type II diabetics may be able to help control, and possible even cure, their diabetes.

A friend of mine purchased a natural supplement to help her husband’s prostate when it became enlarged. He is also a Type II diabetic and takes medication as part of his daily routine. The supplement was Herbal Prostate Combo from Swanson Vitamins, containing Saw Palmetto, Pygeum Africanum and Stinging Nettle. They noticed that after beginning the supplement his (normally high) blood sugar levels dropped enough that he had to adjust his medication down to keep his blood sugar levels from becoming too low. My friend did a little research and discovered that Stinging Nettle has been documented as an herb that can have positive effects on blood sugar management. Although his blood sugar still fluctuates based on his daily diet and activity level, he has seen results with the supplement firsthand (his prostate trouble has seen improvement as well). Her sister sent her an article on alpha lipoid acid related to lowering blood sugar and she told me she was going to try adding it to the mix to see if it will also help. I’ll let you know how it goes.

On a more drastic note, Dr. C. Norman Shealy in his book Life Beyond 100- Secrets of The Fountain of Youth recommends a diet alternative that he states virtually cures diabetes Type II. The diet consists of all you can eat of white rice, canned sweetened fruit and a daily vitamin containing RDA. He does state this is an extreme and difficult diet recommended mainly for the massively obese and for people with high blood pressure and should only be done under medical supervision.

Some natural supplements used in controlling diabetes include aloe juice, apple pectin, black cohosh, celery seed, dandelion, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, ginseng, marshmallow root, psyllium, raspberry, sage (drunk as an infusion on an empty stomach) and turmeric. If you decide to try adding any of these supplements to your daily intake, talk to your doctor about them and keep a close eye on your sugar levels.

As diabetes has been studied over the years, it has been reported that the carbohydrate structure of the foods you eat is a key factor in blood sugar control. Foods that have the best blood sugar conversion rate are the ones that break down slowly to glucose in your bloodstream. They contain complex carbohydrates, are low on the glycemic index chart and are definitely a necessity for leveling the blood sugar playing field. The longer it takes to digest, the less the food raises blood sugar levels as it is converted to glucose at a slower and more absorbable rate. Simple carbohydrate foods (honey, sugar, potatoes) break down quickly to glucose in your blood, complex carbohydrate foods (oatmeal, brown rice, lentils) take longer for the glucose conversion and give your body more time to assimilate the sugars. Some examples of low glycemic index foods are spinach, turnip greens, zucchini, celery, broccoli, lettuce, snow peas, cauliflower, green beans and tomatoes. If you notice, these foods are also whole, nutrient-dense foods. Those are the best kind for the diabetic (or anyone’s) diet.

Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight inflammation, are also excellent dietary choices for diabetics. Inflammation has been linked to the development of diabetes and other degenerative conditions. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in such foods as tuna, salmon and other coldwater fish, flaxseed and walnuts, to name a few.

If Type II diabetes runs in your family, you may think you have no choice in whether or not you develop this condition. This is not necessarily true. If you educate yourself on the causes of family conditions (poor eating and exercise habits?), you can stay ahead of them by making the right personal health decisions. If you know that obesity, high cholesterol and a sedentary lifestyle led to diabetes for your parents and/or grandparents, taking preventive dietary and exercise choices for yourself before the condition presents itself is the smart thing to do and will pay off with good health down the road.