Reversing Type 2 Diabetes Naturally

It's important for diabetics to tackle the problem now because, on top of diabetic hassles, not treating this disease can accelerate the aging process, increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, amputation, cardiovascular disease, erectile dysfunction, blindness, kidney failure, osteoarthritis, and stroke.

Here are some important and safe steps to reverse type 2 diabetes when a change in diet is not enough.

The Thyroid

Diabetes is essentially a dysfunction of energy metabolism. The most active thyroid hormone, T3, is responsible for cellular metabolism and is needed by every cell of the body. If the thyroid is under-producing T3 then the metabolism of the body will be slowed, reducing its ability to utilize glucose and oxygen to produce energy.

For this reason, diabetics are far more likely to have a thyroid problem.

Hypothyroidism is often missed because the test used by physicians since the 1970’s is largely inaccurate. Furthermore, standard thyroid treatment is often lacking because patients have low T3 levels, while frequently only prescribed T4 hormone, or they have elevated rT3 (reverse T3 levels), which is an indication of heavy metal toxicity.

Problems in the Oral Cavity

Despite numerous studies demonstrating the association between oral pathology and chronic disease, few doctors or dentists are acquainted with how to properly resolve this issue.

The problem concerning oral pathology is particularly troublesome for diabetics because they’re prone to bacterial or opportunistic infections due to the direct effect insulin has on the health of the teeth.

Inflammatory reactions are also greater in diabetic states, and increased local inflammation causes a worsening of diabetes, especially during elevations of blood glucose.

Toxic Metals Within the "Normal Range" Contributes to Diabetes

Levels of lead, nickel, aluminum and copper are found to be significantly higher in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to non-diabetics. Moreover, there is a statistically significant correlation between blood levels of glycated hemoglobin and of some trace elements like lead, nickel, aluminum, copper, cadmium, and mercury. [1]

The average levels of lead, cadmium and arsenic have been found to be significantly higher in diabetic patients compared to control subjects, which is consistent with other studies, confirming that toxic metals may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes. [2]

These metals can be removed effectively using a number of chelators.

Consume Necessary Minerals

In Greek, diabetes literally means "running through," which is what minerals do in diabetics as they are excreted in excess through the urine. Diabetics are especially prone to deficiencies in the minerals magnesium, zinc, selenium, iodine, vanadium and chromium. See our Essential Minerals Plan for the first four.

Vanadium (aka Vanadyl Sulfate)

When given to type 2 diabetics, vanadyl sulfate has been shown to reduce fasting blood glucose and lower the percentage of HbA1c. [3]

Chromium

Chromium is an important mineral involved in normal carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism. Most chromium supplements are not very effective, with food-based chromium being far superior to the majority of chromium preparations available.

A recent study demonstrated how naturally-derived chromium from food works. The study group received 9 grams of brewer's yeast, yielding 42 micrograms of elemental chromium daily.

The fasting blood glucose level significantly reduced in the subjects consuming yeast supplemented with chromium. Reductions in HbA1c, and triglyceride values were also reduced. [4]

Essential Vitamins for Diabetics

Diabetes is a form of metabolic dysfunction. The energy producing power plants in cells, called the mitochondria, are compromised by an excess production of free radicals.

The generation of energy metabolism can be restored with use of vitamin and vitamin-like substances.

It will serve as co-factors in energy metabolism in general, not in the thyroid exclusively. Part of being a diabetic is an inability to hold on to these B-vitamins that are necessary for proper disposal of glucose.

B-complex is needed, and unfortunately for diabetics, they lose certain B-vitamins rapidly which frequently result in most diabetic complications. A food source of B-complex will help considerably, as all the fractions are there, usually bound to protein making it a more stable vehicle for absorption. See our article on Choosing the Best Multivitamin.

For those already suffering from diabetic complications, they will need a fat soluble form of thiamine in addition to a food based B-complex. This is called Benfotiamine, and because it's fat soluble it will remain in the tissues long enough to protect the eyes, kidneys and the vascular system, including erectile tissue.

Thiamine or vitamin B1 is one of the most crucial nutrients for diabetics, unfortunately it’s also difficult for them to retain. Benfotiamine absorbs 500% more effectively than water soluble thiamine. Its importance cannot be emphasized enough.

Benfotiamine also metabolizes excess blood sugar, improving the way cells use the glucose instead of becoming damaged by it.

Overcoming Oxidative Stress

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, and as such, it interferes with optimal energy metabolism.

Dysfunctions in energy metabolism involve the mitochondria, which are tiny, energy producing organelles within cells. Due to oxidative stress (free radicals) along with impaired beta-cell function play a key role in type 2 diabetes.

Fighting oxidative mitochondrial dysfunction with mitochondria-specific nutrients such as lipoic acid and acetyl l-carnitine (when taken together) helps restore insulin secretion, energy production, and protect against beta-cell dysfunction. [5], [6]

High intensity interval training (HIIT) dramatically increases natural antioxidant enzyme levels, which improves insulin sensitivity and allows better control of blood sugar.

Optimize Your Vitamin D Levels

Vitamin D has a profound effect on human health. It affects 10% of the human genome and even when taken in sub-optimal levels, vitamin D has been shown to improve blood sugar control.

When vitamin D was taken at amounts exceeding 500 international units (IU) per day, it decreased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 13% compared with vitamin D intake below 200 IU per day. [7]

According to John Cannell, MD and the Vitamin D Council, adults should take at least 5,000 IU of Vitamin D3 per day.

Protect Your Capillaries and Veins

Vitamin C is a crucial nutrient to protect against weakened capillaries. Blood levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) are often higher in diabetics, which is important because lipoprotein(a) has a strong relationship with atherosclerotic disease. Vitamin C lowers Lp(a) levels and helps improve glycemic control. [8]

Along with vitamin C, Pynogenol, a French maritime pine bark extract, helps to preserve capillary strength and vascular integrity. It also lowers blood sugar levels. [9]

Endocrine Disruptors in the Etiology of Type 2 Diabetes

The development of type 2 diabetes involves the disruption of pancreatic Beta-cell function, which is responsible for the production of insulin.

Studies indicate that the increased presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals in the environment may also play an important part in the incidence of metabolic diseases. These endocrine disrupting chemicals are widespread and include dioxins, pesticides, and bisphenol-A (BPA).

These toxins have been shown to cause insulin resistance and alter Beta-cell function in animals. These chemicals accumulate in fat tissues and exert their negative effects by affecting hormonal responses.

Primarily, they act as potent, synthetic estrogens, the sort that the body is ill-equipped to get rid of. They act on insulin sensitive tissues in the beta-cells of the pancreas, generating an adverse metabolic state. [10]

BPA is Everywhere

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is one of the highest volume chemicals produced worldwide, with over 6 billion pounds produced each year and over 100 tons released into the atmosphere yearly. [11]

BPA is used as the base compound in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic and the resin lining of food and beverage cans. It is present not only in food and beverage containers but also in some dental material. [12]

Numerous studies have demonstrated how BPA can leach from plastic containers by way of heat and or acidic conditions, which increase of it.

In the United States BPA has been detected in 95% of the urine samples tested. [13]

Other synthetic hormone-like substances, along with natural estrogens from animal origin, such as conjugated equine estrogen extracted from pregnant mares, create imbalances in humans.

The reason for this is their potency and the length of time they are expressed in the body, therefore the body cannot metabolize or rid itself of the hormones effectively.

Removing Endocrine Disruptors From the Body

It's not easy to avoid these compounds – they're found in all kinds of packaged foods, plastic containers, creams, lotions, and various personal hygiene products.

The body attempts to remove foreign estrogens from your body by way of the liver, attaching a substance called a glucuronide to the estrogen compounds.

They are then carried from the liver into the bile, which travels down to the gut. However, intestinal bacteria produce an enzyme called B-glucuronidase, which removes the binding (conjugate) of glucurinide from estrogen. In turn, the estrogen is free to reabsorb back into the body. The body finds itself with estrogen overload all over again.

If there is a history of hormone-based contraceptives, this increases the probability of high levels of toxic hormones. One test to consider is called the 2/16 Ratio - Urinary 2/16a Estrogen Metabolites. This test measures the ratio of beneficial estrogens to unfavorable estrogens.

Calcium D-Glucarate

Calcium D-Glucarate, which prevents the enzyme B-glucuronidase from removing glucuranide bindings from estrogen, allows it to be fully excreted and not re-circulated in the body.

Dinndolylmethane (DIM)

DIM is a plant nutrient found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. DIM supports the activity of specific enzymes that improve estrogen metabolism.

DIM increases the level of the beneficial, anti-carcinogenic estrogen called 2-hydroxyestrogen, while reducing the level of unhealthy estrogen called 16-hydroxyestrogen.

Is "Dirty Electricity" Elevating Your Blood Sugar Levels?

Dirty electricity is described as electromagnetic pollution emitted from electronic equipment and wireless devices, and fields in the kilohertz range from electrical wiring can elevate blood sugar levels in some diabetics.

It is estimated that as many as 5 to 60 million diabetics are affected by dirty electricity, which accounts for 3 to 35 percent of these patients. [14]

If you believe you're sensitive to dirty electricity, it stands to reason that reducing your exposure to electromagnetic pollution may help. Since, it's virtually impossible in today's modern world to avoid these devices, consider using a GS filter. See our Diabetes article for more information about GS filters.

References

[1] Int J Diabetes Dev Ctries. 2009 Jan;29(1):35-40.
[2] Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2008 May;80(2):280-8.
[3] J Inorg Biochem. 2009 Apr;103(4):554-8.
[4] J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2011 May 11
[5] Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2010 May;298(5):R1343-50.
[6] J Cell Biochem. 2008 Jul 1;104(4):1232-43
[7] Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011 Jul 6. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2011.118
[8] JAMA 263(1):35-36 (1990)
[9] Life Sci. 2004 Oct 8;75(21):2505-13.
[10] Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2011 Jun;7(6):346-53.
[11] Endocr Rev 30: 75-95
[12] Environ Health Perspect 10: 298-305.
[13] Environ Health Perspect 113: 391-395.
[14] Electromagn Biol Med. 2008;27(2):135-46.

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