An Overview of Diabetes Mellitus

Describe the causes and the long-term consequences of diabetes mellitus. How can diet influence the risk of developing diabetes? What can we do to reduce our risk of developing this disorder?

Diabetes Mellitus is a disease characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. There are three different classifications of Diabetes Mellitus. Type 1 diabetes is commonly referred to as insulin dependent or juvenile diabetes. It is usually classified as an autoimmune disease. The pancreas does not function as it should and the levels of insulin are not produced sufficiently if at all. Type 3 diabetes is Gestational diabetes. It is a form of diabetes found in pregnant women. There is no known specific cause but it is believed the hormones of pregnancy reduce a woman's receptivity to insulin resulting in high blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by "insulin resistance" as body cells do not respond appropriately when insulin is present. This is often referred to as adult onset diabetes. This is the type of diabetes that we can lessen our chances of getting by simple holistic practices.

Diabetes Mellitus can have long-term consequences. If left untreated or not treated correctly, diabetes Mellitus can have very adverse effects on numerous body organs and systems. It can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, eye complications, diabetic Neuropathy and nerve damage, foot complications, skin complications, chronic infections, gastroparesis and even depression. As you can note Diabetes can have far reaching consequences. This disease is the inability of the body to break down and use the glucose. The body compensates for this by using fats and proteins for energy instead. This is not the way our bodies are meant to perform and can lead to any of the above listed conditions.

Your weight, how much physical activity you get, and your family history all affect the way your body responds to insulin. If you are overweight, get little or no exercise, or have family members with diabetes, you have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Notice that several of these are things that you yourself can control. Diet and exercise, we see once again, play a vital role in our over all health.

Many times the first treatment for someone diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus is to change their lifestyles. This means modifying diet and exercise. Diet is so very important. Many will argue that the current rate of Diabetes Mellitus in the modern world is due to the fact that we are gluttons and over indulgence. If you look at the diet of the modern human in most industrial nations, you will find them full of fast foods, over processed, and full of fats and preservatives. Simple dietary changes can help us lead healthier lives that will reduce our chances of Diabetes Mellitus, or if we have already been diagnosed with it, bring our blood sugar levels down to more normal levels.

A simpler diet of unrefined grains, legumes, bananas, potatoes with the peels and Jerusalem artichokes are all highly recommended. Raw unprocessed foods should be what are concentrated on. While fruits are good and thought to take less insulin to metabolize the intake should still be modified, as they are full of natural sugars. Nuts, seeds, sprouts, whole grains and vegetables should be included in daily diet plans. Just remember raw unprocessed food is healthiest. The more you process a food the more nutrients and value it loses. One who is worried about or has diabetes must always keep in mind what they are eating will effect them greatly. It has to be a very conscience effort.

Exercise is also very important. Exercise and diet will help you to reduce your weight to a healthy level and your body can then better utilize glucose in your system. Exercise will also reduce your chances of heart disease and nerve damage which are both common for a diabetic.

Leading a healthy life, living in moderation is always a good idea. Eating healthy and raw foods is a good way to live also. Getting daily exercise will make you feel better and help you to live longer. These are all great ways to also reduce your risk of being diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus. Though heredity may play a factor in it, why not hedge your bets and live a life that will help you to avoid it, and make you feel so much better along the way?

We can also consider herbal protocol for mild type 2 diabetes. Useful herbs for help in regulating the pancreas are: alfalfa, bladderwrack, blue cohosh, burdock root, chicory, dandelion, elecampane, European centaury, garlic, goats rue (seed), juniper berry, kelp, licorice root, nettle, onion, parsley, periwinkle, red raspberry, saw palmetto, slippery elm, stillingia, string bean pods, yarrow and yellow dock. This is only a partial list of the herbs that can be used to help with diabetes. Herbs that are for the pancreas, herbs that help lower blood sugar and those helpful with heart would be worth looking into.