Diabetes: Wrestling with a Twenty-First Century Monster

Urstruly

I wouldn't really call it a "tall claim" when we keep in mind that mainstream medicine (at least theoretically) considers food and lifestyle changes the most effective measures for controlling diabetes.

Success stands and falls with the individual's willingness and ability to stick to foods that do not promote blood glucose spikes, drops, and fluctuations. Kudos to you for wanting to find out more about gluten and its impact! Please remember to also read some of the other comments here for additional low-carb suggestions.

Here is a start:
author of the forthcoming At Risk? Avoid Diabetes by Recognizing Early Risk - A Natural Medicine View and the new DIABETES-Series Little Books

Re: # 32 NDCOR

"Those of my patients who have done so have seen a huge change in their body and many--at least for now--control their diabetes without presciption medication and further degenerative complications."

This sounds like a tall claim. Where can I find info on list of high/low or gluten free diets. Some of the labels do say gluten free, but mostly it doesn't. Does gluten factor work something like glycymic index or is it something different.

Re: # 28 Urstruly,
Of course the gene HLA-DQ8 is already part of an individual's genetic make-up! It is not "triggered by changing dietary habits..." That would be a misinterpretation.

However, anyone who carries the HLA-DQ8 gene appears to be more susceptible to gluten-related problems and carbohydrate addiction.
And, since we know that gluten (there are 3 gluten proteins: gluten, gliadin, glutenin) may interfere with a stage of insulin production and its action, AND that gluten contains (not unsignificant) amounts of morphine, the "addiction theory" bears a second look in the context of tye 2 diabetes.

The presence of HLA-DQ8 (think of it as the body's "weak link") may thus fall among the early risk indicators. For now it may suggest that those individuals follow a low-carb, gluten-free lifestyle early on in order to avoid all the many metabolic and other conditions frequently connected with future diabetes.
Those of my patients who have done so have seen a huge change in their body and many--at least for now--control their diabetes without presciption medication and further degenerative complications.

PS: Mainstream medicine already fully acknowledges a link between type 1 diabetes and celiac disease (the most severe form of gluten-sensitivity).
Little mainstream research has focused on the role of the duodenum. But, now that some mainstream surgeons start calling money-maker "bariatric surgery/gastric bypass operation" (as performed in the morbidly obese) the "Cure for diabetes" that may change. This does not change the fact that for now there is NO CURE for diabetes except avoidance through proper food and lifestyle.
author of the forthcoming At Risk? Avoid Diabetes by Recognizing Early Risk - A Natural Medicine View and the new DIABETES-Series Little Books
www.avoidiabetes.com

Re: # 27 NDocR
Thanks for clarifying.
Re:# 24 Urstruly
I take that you are in discussion with NDocR, so I am off the hook ... for now at least ...LOL
Thanks for your interest

Re: # 19 Truth100
I should have also given you some idea about the early symptoms. The details are of course in the book I referred. The author of that book has concluded that the symptoms of diabetes can be recognized 8 to 14 years before actually it is diagnosed by main stream medicine. Some of these symptoms are well know, though attention is not paid to them early enough, for example, dry mouth, extreme thirst and excessive urine, pangs of uncontrolled hunger etc. But there are many more which are not much know in relation to diabetes and the fact that these can be crucial in early recognition of diabetes, such as:
Burning tongue, metallic taste, mouth and body odor, gum and teeth problems;
Urinatary and sexual impacts, weight gain or loss, digestive issues;
Lack of energy, insomnia, daytime sleepiness (was big one for me), crankiness, depression, easy bruising, leg cramps and so on.
(The above list is from the content page of the book “At Risk?�
To detect the risk, more information and analysis is needed. This is just to give an idea. Diabetes Avoidance Society is working to develop a program where professionals will be trained to detect early symptoms so the action can be taken before it is diagnosed. Early recognition is an important link in any prevention program for diabetes.

Re: # 20: nb,
My encounter with Natural Medicine was on one hand a co-incidental blessing and on other logical conclusion after a long series of disappointments with mainstream medicine. To respond to your question, I will be limiting my note to pre-diabetes issues only. What shocked me most was that my two family doctors did not have a clue that they should check me for glucose level, despite me telling them all the symptoms. In retrospect, those symptoms were so obviously pointing to a diabetes diagnosis. In contrast, my NM doctor without me even telling her anything, just from very few outward cues, asked me to have those tests done. The test results sold NM to me forever. They came with pre-diabetes diagnosis, as predicted by her. So, right from the diagnosis, I began to see a very different approach taken by NM towards health.
It may be true that the amount of research available for main stream medicine may surpass the research for NM. I am not an expert, but by what I know, I believe, that there is a surprising amount of research available when it comes to the efficacy of food and lifestyle measures. Medical schools still teach that there is no cure (yet) for diabetes and that it may be largely controlled by diet and lifestyle changes. However, there is little support for the NM approach. In my humble opinion, the reason for this is twofold. Firstly, the mainstream medicine establishments and the pharmaceutical giants have a vested interest in not encouraging NM practice. (In North-America a diabetic patient nets her MD roughly US $250,000 for treatment costs in addition to costs and fees for prescription drugs, etc.) Consequently, trials are set-up in a way that they fail to address the core of the matter. Secondly, as the NM profession is not supported in any way, and many of the modalities remain unregulated, no synergistic pooling of resources has taken place in the NM research field. Sadly, this state of affairs provides opportunities for poorly trained and even outright dishonest persons to prop up their practices based on false claims and testimonials. This makes NM look suspect to those who have not checked deeply into it. Like in any other discipline, the profession gets as good as the practitioner is. And like any other field, the core principles are not understood by all or are forgotten.
In a true NM approach, body and mind are seen as one whole system. In a true NM approach focus is on bringing the body back to a healthy balance so it can recover itself. The natural healing substances are sought for support only and for underlying conditions. In contrast, mainstream heavily (I would even venture to say: SOLELY) depends on treating the symptoms with medication by suppressing them. Well known facts: the side effects and even deaths caused by prescription medications.
The NM approach in my case first and foremost was nutritional. Complete change in eating practice. Extreme care in amount of carbohydrates. My doctor’s advice was 6/12/12 grams of starch in breakfast, lunch and supper and going heavy on vegetables. Very little fruit, no dairy products except for a little bit of old, natural cheese low in lactose. Most importantly, avoid anything with gluten. So, I kept close to those guidelines and I also stopped using wheat-based products. If someone thinks, “what is left� – be assured, there is a lot. The vegetables can be converted into most delicious dishes, and rice and buckwheat and flax – thanks Providence.
The other important ingredient was quality dietary supplements. B-complex, other vitamins and important minerals were carefully selected for a balanced and essential support. The third ingredient was physical and emotional wellbeing. O, do the mainstream doctors have time for this stuff? No doctor spent more than 15 minutes with me in any one session. (I spent more time in waiting rooms than with doctors.) And my attempts to talk with them on those issues (as I still have to go through them to get my tests done – complementary practitioners are not authorized to order those tests) only draws blank and impatient looks.
Within six months, my results came back within normal range. I still try to keep close to my controlled regimen, but I have found many ways to bring all sorts of variety and enjoyment into my diet and activities. Occasional slips with guilt trips are also a source of some variety! My results have kept within range for the last 3 years or so. Ironically, now my (3rd) family doctor (I recently changed) does not consider me pre-diabetic as per the results. He has no idea how it is being done. Neither is he interested.
A lot more can be written, but I hope this answers your kind question in some ways. Please let me know if there is anything more you would like to know.

NDcor

Thank you for your reply.I am not a doctor or a genticist but I think the diabetes gene HLA-DQ8 is not triggered by changing dietry habbits. If that were the case then those societies that consume vegeterian diet only would have been more suceptible to this disease.

Nb

I googled Charak Samhita, but couldn't find any article that it relates to Diabetes. But I take your word for it. It will be iteresting to see if ancient ayurvadic also connects diabetes with the glutony of a society or not, as Ndcor did. The theory seems very plausible though.

Re: # 24 Since nobody else has taken on answering your questions allow me to provide some information.

Your 2-part question 1, "Is Diabetes a recent phenomenon?"
No it is not.
Already the ancient Chinese have recorded, named and treated it. Still today we use several of the ancient Chinese medicine herbal formulae in diabetes control and reversal.
Interestingly, throughout history, diabetes seems to "surface" whenever a society is "resting on its laurels" after acquiring great wealth. That was an issue for the Chinese and also for the ancient Egyptians. And, who knows, if Rome fell because most of its centurions lost their battle fierceness because they had become "diabetics"... At least their bucolic feasts just prior to the disintegration of the Roman Empire are proverbial.

Your question, "Any DNA evidence available?
It makes for food for thoughts that approximately 43% of the North-American population carries a gene (HLA-DQ8) that makes them potentially sensitive to gluten, an opioid-containing protein contained in wheat, barley, rye, spelt, triticale and other grains. The majority of type 2 diabetics or individuals at risk of developing diabetes carry that same HLA-DQ8 gene...
Today we are starting to control (and avoid) type 2--and to some degree also type 1--diabetes by sticking to a low-carohydrate (and possibly gluten-free) diet for all HLA-DQ8 individuals. If you are interested in the why's and how's check back with Amazon.com in a couple of month for my upcoming books.

Your question 2, If left undiagnosed what is the moratality rate in children with Type 1.
Check my answer #26. Dr. Bernstein has been living for decades with juvenile diabetes. With his low-carb approach he is still going strong. His books are excellent.

author of the forthcoming At Risk? Avoid Diabetes by Recognizing Early Risk - A Natural Medicine View and the new DIABETES-Series Little Books
www.avoidiabetes.com

Re: # 14, Saleem, with great interest have I followed the exchange between you and the writer of this article (timely news here in Canada).

I certainly agree with your take on type 1 diabetics, who life-long may have to rely on prescription drugs... However, having worked in the field of diabetes avoidance for a long time, my clinical experience confirms that type 1 diabetics too may be able to better their results and largely reduce their need for insulin injections and other medications by eliminating their food-related blood sugar rollercoaster; i.e. grain carbohydrates, starches, sugars, soft drinks (diet or otherwise).

The initial recommendation of 30grams maximum(!) of daily carbohydrates with no more than 6grams for breakfast (stick to proteins and non-starchy vegetables instead), 12grams for lunch, and another 12grams for dinner was developed and promoted by Dr. Richard K. Bernstein. With a t1d youngster in the house I STRONGLY recommend you get his several books The Diabetes Diet, and Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution, and others.

It works! And it will help postpone and avoid many of the otherwise nearly guaranteed complications. Just be advised to very precisely monitor BS levels and be in touch with your doctor as you adjust the diet. Otherwise you might end up overmedicating on the present prescription. -- Also, there are several traditional herbs and teas that can be used to mimic and replace insulin in a t1d. For starters, 1-2 cups of blueberry leaf tea per day has shown to bring similar results as insulin injections without the toxins.

Best wishes and thoughts!
author of forthcoming "At Risk? Avoid Diabetes by Recognizing Early Risk - A Natural Medicine View" and the DIABETES-Series Little Books

Urstruly, you will not consider this evidence, but there is a description of diabetes mellitus in Charak Samhita.
100% is the answer to your second question.

Thank you Mutaal, that was quite informative. I have a few questions:

1. Is Diabetes a recent phenomenon, I mean is there an evidence that people in the past several hundered years ago used to suffer from this disease. Any DNA evidence available?

2. If left undiagnosed what is the moratality rate in children with Type 1.

Re: # 20 nb
I am glad you have asked this question. I would like to write a bit in detail and it is already 1 a.m. and I am feeling goggly. I will write more later. Cheers.

Re: # 19 Truth 100: Allow me to respond to your post in reverse order as the last question you have asked is the most important from my perspective. Regarding the early symptoms of Diabetes, Dr. Roth, co-founder of Diabetes Avoidance Society has authored a book solely on this topic, titled “At Risk?�, Please see following links: www.avoidiabetes.com and http://www.diabetesavoidance.org/
The book is in print and will be available shortly. Focus of her work is education for early recognition of symptoms so the person at risk can take charge of his or her health. I got involved in this effort and co-founded the Society as this is the only way to stem the tide in my view. The big pharma and main stream medical practice will not support such efforts. It is a big challenge and we are fighting an uphill task.
Regardind, origin of term diabetes and history and other information, the following link provides good information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes
Just etymology is copied here.
The term diabetes (Greek: διαβήτης, diabētēs) was coined by Aretaeus of Cappadocia. It was derived from the Greek verb διαβαίνειν, diabaínein, itself formed from the prefix dia-, "across, apart," and the verb bainein, "to walk, stand." The verb diabeinein meant "to stride, walk, or stand with legs asunder"; hence, its derivative diabētēs meant "one that straddles," or specifically "a compass, siphon." The sense "siphon" gave rise to the use of diabētēs as the name for a disease involving the discharge of excessive amounts of urine. Diabetes is first recorded in English, in the form diabete, in a medical text written around 1425. In 1675, Thomas Willis added the word mellitus, from the Latin meaning "honey", a reference to the sweet taste of the urine. This sweet taste had been noticed in urine by the ancient Greeks, Chinese, Egyptians, Indians, and Persians. In 1776, Matthew Dobson confirmed that the sweet taste was because of an excess of a kind of sugar in the urine and blood of people with diabetes.
Regarding belief and meditation, what you have said is at the core of every spiritual tradition – it is only that people forget the core and are mired in superficiality. They see not the spirit and are stuck with the literal. Every great spiritual tradition has been cognizant and respectful of every other spiritual stream. Those who wear belief on their sleeves, as you say, only are doing disservice to the true spirit of their tradition.
Lastly, the meaning in your post #15 was still clear despite the error. This is an excellent thought, in particular, to where it is leading.

Re: # 18 Charlie:
You have put finger at the right spot. This is a huge challenge we face in our fight. The big pharma and even main stream medical practice seems to just want every one falling and staying sick. Before founding the Diabetes Avoidance Society, I checked a few programs run by the big hospitals, supposedly for education about diabetes. I thought it would be for prevention. It was all about how to use medication and test your glucose levels – in short how to manage it – not to prevent or avoid. Even their advice about food was shocking. A big topic in itself. This state of affair and early recognition of the symptoms to avoid diabetes(way before it is diagnosed) is discussed in “At Risk?� book by co-founder of the Society. If interested, please see the following links: www.avoidiabetes.com and http://www.diabetesavoidance.org

Quin, I'd be interested in hearing about your experiments with natural health, because there is such little high level evidence. So please tell us more.

Thanks Quinn,

There was error. I meant:
When our mind is purified we can listen better to the body. It works otherway also. Your body will react violently to dangerous/bad thought. In fact when mind is purified the demarcation among body, mind and soul disappears. It's integrated healthy living. I would go further and say the demarcation between the individual and external universe will also disappear.

I am sure Namaz is meditation. For many walking is meditative to both mind and body. We all unique and we need to develop his/her own religion based on what works for us. we should run away from so called spiritual or religious people who wear their belief on their sleeves. Belief is constant looking outside, meditation is looking inside.

What are the etymological roots of Diebetes? What is the history? Where is it rampant? What are the very early symptoms, when you can prevent it?