Integrative Medicine Center Of Western Colorado©2012

Dr Rollins and his colleagues are well versed in the conventional medications as well as effective natural supplements used for diabetes treatment.  Of course we emphasize the first four primary treatments which include diet, exercise, weight control and stress management.  

 

Metabolism, insulin, and blood sugar regulation can all be improved with hormone balancing, digestive health improvement and targeted nutrition.

 

Our weight loss programs successfully cure many of our patients of diabetes and they no longer need medications.

 

Hormone replacement and dietary supplements can improve diabetes even more than standard prescription medications.

 

Hormone Replacement

 

In order to balance hormone levels, it is first necessary to assess the levels of several hormones in the body. Blood testing provides an accurate way to assess hormone status.  Typically, hormone testing for men will assess levels of DHEA, testosterone, and estrogen.  Hormone testing for women assesses DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

 

Testosterone supplementation for men reduces insulin resistance, raises beneficial HDL, lowers blood pressure and triglycerides, and helps to reduce excess weight while building muscle.  Women tend to gain weight easily from age 35 on due to decreasing levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.  Data suggest that correcting these hormone imbalances in women improves glucose control and may alleviate the tendency to gain weight.  Additionally, many women anecdotally report improved mood, energy, and libido following hormone balancing.

 

A proper level of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) should be maintained in both men and women to support insulin’s action on glucose.  Women typically need up to 10-25 mg of DHEA daily, while men typically require up to 25-50 mg.

 

Thyroid hormone controls metabolism and energy, having positive effects on regulation of blood sugar and lipids.  It is also critical is allowing proper weight management.

 

Supplements

 

Nutritional supplements are powerful tools in supporting healthy metabolism and normalizing blood sugar. High blood sugar is marked by many complications, including increased risk for heart disease, kidney and nerve damage, visual deterioration, and vascular problems.  Proper supplementation can help reduce blood glucose levels, improve insulin action, increase cellular metabolism, and correct the damage of glycation.

 

Reduce Blood Glucose levels

 

• Fiber.  Supplemental sources of fiber include psyllium husk, guar gum, oat bran and a dietary fiber blend called PGX™. Psyllium husk can be used in capsule or powder form, and has been reported to decrease glucose absorption and reduce total cholesterol and LDL in type II diabetics.  Guar gum is another beneficial fiber for controlling blood sugar because it slows gastric emptying and thus the absorption of glucose.  PGX™ is a fiber supplement that binds to many times its weight in water, helping to slow carbohydrate absorption and promote a feeling of fullness. Clinical trials support its application in improving glycemic control in diabetes and in enhancing lipid profiles.

 

Improve Insulin Action or Increase Cellular Metabolism

 

• Chromium is a trace mineral with numerous beneficial actions for supporting healthy blood sugar. Chromium appears to promote insulin sensitivity and improve glycemic control in many individuals.  Additionally, chromium has been found to lower blood glucose levels, both at fasting and at two hours following a glucose challenge.  Chromium also has been demonstrated to lower triglyceride levels and boost levels of HDL in patients with type II diabetes.  Chromium thus helps to optimize both blood sugar levels and blood lipid profiles.

 

• Lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant and coenzyme, is one of the most critical nutrients for people with high blood sugar. Clinical and animal studies have shown that lipoic acid stimulates insulin-mediated glucose uptake.  In rats fed a high-sugar diet, lipoic acid improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.  In a study of type II diabetics, three months of supplementation with lipoic acid helped to improve painful neuropathy symptoms in 77% and eliminated symptoms in 19% of participants.  Lipoic acid also improved nerve-conduction velocity, which is often compromised in diabetic patients suffering from neuropathy.  Lipoic acid therefore acts by several mechanisms to improve insulin sensitivity as well as help support healthy nerve function.

 

• Essential fatty acids such as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are crucial nutrients for people with high blood sugar.  In mammal studies, EPA supplementation helps to prevent insulin resistance and improve glucose tolerance test parameters.  Human studies have demonstrated that EPA and DHA together help lower serum triglycerides and raise HDL in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients.  Additionally, EPA and DHA supplements decreased rates of lipid peroxidation and raised levels of glutathione peroxidase, an antioxidant enzyme.  Omega-3 fatty acids therefore may help to improve the dyslipidemia that often occurs with hyperglycemia and may decrease the rate of vascular complications.

 

• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) improves blood sugar control, lowers blood pressure, and prevents oxidative damage caused by disease.  In a controlled human trial, type 2 diabetics given 100 mg CoQ10 twice daily experienced improved glycemic control as measured by lower HbA1c levels and blood pressure.  In a separate study, CoQ10 improved blood flow in type 2 diabetics, an outcome attributed to CoQ10’s ability to lower vascular oxidative stress.  In a third study, improved blood flow correlated with decreased HbA1c.

 

• Carnitine.  An extensive body of literature supports the use of carnitine in diabetes.  Carnitine lowers blood glucose and HbA1c levels, increases insulin sensitivity and glucose storage, and optimizes fat and carbohydrate metabolism.  Carnitine deficiency is common in type 2 diabetes. In a large human trial, acetyl-L-carnitine helped prevent or slow cardiac autonomic neuropathy in people with diabetes.

 

• D-Ribose is a simple sugar molecule with a wealth of functions in human and animal biology. Perhaps its most fundamental role is as a component of ATP, the universal energy carrier in the body’s cells.  ATP molecules store energy as they are built up and release it as they are broken down—the more energy a cell requires, the more ATP it consumes. In fact, humans “burn” an amount of ATP equivalent to their own body weight every day!  While we use D-Ribose for restoring cellular energy in patients with heart failure or chronic fatigue, it’s ability to increase metabolism will also cause it to lower blood sugar.  It is not the same type of sugar as glucose and does not raise blood sugar.

 

• Coffee Berry.  Coffee berry contains some well-studied phytochemicals such as chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and quinic acid.  Some of coffee berry’s most impressive effects can be seen in blood glucose management  -  decreasing glucose production by the liver, decreasing the intestinal absorption rate of glucose and increasing the uptake of glucose by muscle cells.

 

• Bilberry, a close relative of the blueberry, has been eaten and used medicinally for centuries because of its high nutritive value.  Bilberry leaf decoctions administered orally have been shown to lower blood glucose levels.  Bilberry exhibits an affinity for the tissues of the eye, improving the delivery of oxygen and blood to the eye tissues and scavenging free radicals that can contribute to conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.  Anthocyanosides present in bilberry have been found to retard the development of cataracts in animals and humans.  European studies have shown that bilberry anthocyanosides are highly effective in preventing diabetic retinopathy.  Additionally, bilberry extracts improve microcirculation, enhance collagen integrity, and exert anti-inflammatory properties.  Bilberry is thus a powerful tool in protecting the eyes against the secondary effects of high blood sugar.

 

• Cinnulin PF.  USDA scientist, Dr. Richard A. Anderson has done extensive research regarding the mechanism of action of the doubly linked Type-A Polymers isolated from water soluble extracts of cinnamon.  In one particular study, these polyphenolic polymers increased glucose metabolism roughly 20-fold in vitro.  Another study, demonstrated these polymers were effective mimetics of insulin in vitro. In animals, the doubly linked Type-A Polymers appear to have supporting effects on reducing blood pressure.  In humans, Cinnulin PF also appears to support glucose transport mechanisms by enhancing the insulin signaling pathways.  Cinnulin PF helps metabolic syndrome factors by supporting healthy glucose levels, body composition and blood pressure in healthy individuals.

 

• Gymnema Sylvestre is a plant that grows in the tropical forests of central and southern India and in parts of Africa. Herbalists in India have used the leaves of this long, slender plant as a treatment for diabetes for more than 2,000 years.   Fenugreek is a common cooking herb, and a few small studies have found that fenugreek may help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

 

• Ginkgo biloba.  Animal studies demonstrate that ginkgo improves glucose metabolism in muscle fibers and prevents atrophy.   Animal studies also show that Ginkgo biloba extracts significantly inhibit postmeal sugar levels and act as antihyperglycemic agents.

 

• Magnesium, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Biotin and Sylmarin all play key roles in cellular metabolism and help control sugar levels.

 

Protective Agents

 

• Carnosine is a glycation inhibitor that has been shown to exhibit protective effects against diabetic nephropathy and reduce the formation of Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs).  When sugar is mixed with protein, under heat, it causes a chemical reaction that results in “cross-linked” fibers called AGEs.  A meringue on top of a pie or the glazing on a honey-baked ham are examples of AGEs.  The same process happens in the fluid of our cells over a lifetime of sugars normally interacting with proteins, especially in the cells lining the blood vessels, leading to a “clogging” of the cell with AGEs.  This process happens much quicker in diabetics due to the higher sugar levels.  This is felt to be a large part of the reason diabetics are prone to so many complications involving blood vessels.  Carnosine is natures most perfect antidote for preventing AGEs.

 

• Flavonoids are antioxidants that help reduce damage associated with diabetes.  In animal studies, quercetin, a potent flavonoid, decreases levels of blood glucose and oxidants.  Quercetin also normalizes levels of the antioxidants superoxide dismutase, vitamin C, and vitamin E.  Quercetin is more effective at lower doses and ameliorates the diabetes-induced changes in oxidative stress.

 

• N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a powerful antioxidant that is used to treat acetaminophen overdose.  Among diabetic rats, it has also demonstrated the ability to protect the heart against endothelial damage and oxidative stress that is associated with heart attacks among diabetics.  In one study, NAC was able to increase the availability of nitric oxide in diabetic rats, thus improving their blood pressure as well as reducing the level of oxidative stress in their hearts.  In a human study examining the effects of broad-based antioxidants, NAC, in addition to vitamin C and vitamin E, was able to reduce oxidative stress after a moderate-fat meal.

 

• Garlic.  Allium is the active component in garlic and onions.  Allium compounds are sulfur-donating compounds that help reconstitute glutathione, a major internal antioxidant. This mechanism is probably responsible for allium’s positive effects.  Allium has a number of positive effects that may help reduce the risk of diabetic complications, including promotion of weight loss and insulin sensitivity, decreasing oxidative stress and lowering markers for heart disease.

 

• Green tea. The compounds in these plants, including epicatechin, catechin, gallocatechin, and epigallocatechin, are powerful antioxidants, particularly against pancreas and liver toxins.  Animal studies have shown that epigallocatechins, in particular, may have a role in preventing diabetes.  In studies with rats, epigallocatechins prevented cytokine-induced beta cell destruction by down-regulating inducible nitric oxide synthase, which is a pro-oxidant.  This process could help slow the progression of type 1 diabetes. In vitro studies have also shown that green tea suppresses diet-induced obesity, a key risk factor in developing diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

 

• Vitamin C is a potent anti-oxidant, and has been shown protect the eye from damage.  Vitamin C also has a role in reducing the risk of other diabetic complications.  In one clinical study, vitamin C significantly increased blood flow and decreased inflammation in patients with both diabetes and coronary artery disease.  Three studies suggest that vitamin C, along with a combination of vitamins and minerals, reduces blood pressure in people with diabetes and increases blood vessel elasticity and blood flow.

 

• Vitamin E has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  One double-blind trial found a reduction in the risk of cardiac autonomic neuropathy, or damage to the nerves that supply the heart, which is a complication of diabetes.  Additional evidence documented benefits for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, blood sugar control, and cataract prevention.  In addition, vitamin E enhances sensitivity to insulin in type 2 diabetics.