Type II Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
Approach
Because diabetes Type II is usually due to insulin resistance, the peripheral metabolism of insulin needs to be the primary focus of treatment. Second, because there may be some inability of the pancreas to produce enough insulin, pancreatic tonics are of value. Third, because blood sugar is controlled to a certain extent by the liver and adrenal glands, treatment needs to take these organs and systems into account. Fourth, because obesity contributes to Type II diabetes, lifestyle and diet factors must be modified as well. Stress, which tends to contribute to or worsen most conditions, also plays a role here and must be addressed. In our experience, if patients take the necessary natural medicines, make lifestyle changes, and manage their stress effectively, most will be able to wean themselves off prescription drugs completely.
Lifestyle Counseling
Poor diet and lack of exercise contribute to obesity, which is associated with the development of diabetes and its complications. Healthy lifestyle modifications are necessary in promoting the long-term health of diabetics.
Dietary Therapy
Low Glycemic Diet: This diet helps reduce spikes in blood sugar and results in more regulated blood sugar levels. Over-consumption of highly refined carbohydrates is associated with the development of diabetes and its precursor blood sugar disorders. Based on a measure of how quickly a food affects blood sugar levels, the glycemic index provides numerical values for foods and enables patients to make better choices for managing their blood sugar. See the Glycemic Index of Common Foods chart in Chapter 7, “Dietary Therapy for Diabetes.”
Hypocaloric Diet: Modern diets are typically over-abundant in calories. Restricting calories to a healthy level may decrease insulinemia and improve cholesterol profiles.
Green Tea: Studies have shown that the use of green tea extract decreases obesity by increasing fat oxidation. Although green tea contains caffeine, other properties, including catechin polyphenols, appear to be responsible for its thermogenic effects.
Type II Diabetes Nutraceuticals and Botanicals
These medicinal nutrients and herbs are recommended for treatment of Type II NIDDM. Chromium and vanadium are crucial.
| Herb/Nutrient | Action | Dose |
| Chromium picolinate | Helps with insulin efficacy | 600-5000 mcg daily, to the level that controls sugar cravings |
| Vanadium sulfate | Helps with insulin efficacy | 600 mcg daily |
| Oplopanax horridus(Devil’s club) | Helps with insulin resistance; also an adrenal tonic | 1 g daily |
| Gymnema sylvestre(Gymnema, Gur-Mar) | Helps stabilize blood sugar | 1 g daily |
| Taraxacum officinalis(Dandelion root) | Contains insulin | 1 g daily |
| Silybum marianum(Milk thistle) | Liver tonic increases Hepatic Insulin Sensitizing Substance; useful for insulin resistance | 500 mg daily |
| Galega officinalis(Goats rue) | Contains biguanides found in Glucophage; helps with insulin resistance | 2 g daily |
| Nopal opuntia(Prickly pear cactus) | One of the most effective herbs in lowering blood sugar and insulin resistance at high doses only | 1 tablespoon of nectar (10 g) twice daily |
| Syzygium jambolana(Jambul seed) | Aids in decreasing hyperglycemia; also increases glutathione and superoxide dismutase antioxidant levels | 1-2 g daily |
Conventional Allopathic Treatment
Pharmacological drugs have been demonstrated to be effective in decreasing glycosylated-hemoglobin and in the complications of diabetes. However, great improvement still needs to be made in the ability of patients to achieve tight control of blood-sugar levels. Due to the amount of side effects, the use of oral pharmacological agents should be assessed when administering drugs to NIDDM patients. Both hyperglycemia and NIDDM pharmacological agents may cause tissue-damage; for example, kidney damage can be caused by hyperglycemia or by the use of Sulfonylureas and Biguanides. Thus, it is important to determine which is more damaging to the patient, hyperglycemia or drug therapy. There are many reported hypoglycemic deaths due to the use of oral hypoglycemics. Other adverse effects include jaundice, decreased RAI-uptake of the thyroid, weight-gain, chronic hyperinsulinemia, severe insulin resistance, and perhaps beta cell exhaustion. Thus, if mortality due to diabetes is to be decreased, advances in more effective treatments are necessary.
Insulin: Only a minority of patients can take insulin because it is usually not effective in obese patients, but thin diabetic patients respond quite well and have decreased microvascular complications. The use of insulin can cause weight-gain, which is a problem in perpetuating insulin resistance itself.
Sulfonylureas: Sulfonylureas have the advantage over insulin. There are multiple formulations available that are effective and relatively inexpensive. However, following long-term use, they may affect extra-pancreatic functions, such as increased peripheral sensitivity to insulin and a decreased hepatic glucose production. Sulfonylureas are contraindicated in patients with liver, thyroid, and kidney disease.
Metformin: Metformin is the drug of choice for obese NIDDM patients. It also leads to weight-loss. Patients with diabetic neuropathy may have symptoms associated with both diabetes and a vitamin B-12 deficiency due to the use of Metformin.
Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitors: Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors have a significant effect on blood sugar levels, but patients may not be able to take them long term because of gastrointestinal side effects. They are relatively new and costly.
