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Type 2 Diabetes
Also known as adult-onset diabetes, type 2 diabetes can often be managed by carefully monitoring your diet. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
- Keep an eye on the GI
Follow a low-glycemic-index diet by avoiding sweet snacks and processed foods, and emphasizing healthy carbohydrates from whole grains, beans, vegetables, and whole fruit, to help keep blood sugar levels stable.
- Fight back with fiber
In addition to eating plenty of high-fiber fruits and vegetables, consider using a fiber supplement such as glucomannan or psyllium with meals.
- Energize insulin function with weight loss and exercise
Lower your blood sugar and improve insulin function with weight loss and regular exercise.
- Check out chromium
Improve glucose tolerance by taking 200 to 1,000 mcg of this essential trace mineral every day.
- Improve and protect with ALA
Take 600 to 1,200 mg a day of an alpha lipoic acid supplement to improve insulin sensitivity and help protect against diabetic complications such as nerve damage.
- Try a topical ointment
An ointment containing 0.025 to 0.075% capsaicin four times a day might help control nerve pain.
These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading for more in-depth, fully referenced information.
- Aim for a healthy weight
Lose excess weight with a program of healthy eating, regular exercise, and group support to maintain healthy insulin sensitivity and prevent type 2 diabetes.
- Get moving
Use regular aerobic and/or strength exercise to maintain healthy insulin sensitivity and prevent type 2 diabetes.
- Keep an eye on the GI
Choose carbohydrate foods with a low glycemic index, such as whole grains, beans (legumes), and other high-fiber, unprocessed foods, to stabilize blood sugar and reduce diabetes risk.
- Go vegetarian or vegan
Vegetarians have been shown to have a low risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Add some olive oil
Extra virgin olive oil is a good source of monounsaturated fat. Increasing monounsaturated fats relative to other dietary fats has been shown to improve glucose tolerance.
These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading for more in-depth, fully referenced information.
Also indexed as:
- adult diabetes,
- adult onset diabetes,
- adult onset diabetes mellitus,
- AODM,
- diabetes,
- diabetes mellitus,
- diabetes sacarina,
- DM,
- DM (diabetes mellitus),
- DM type 2,
- NIDDM,
- non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus,
- type 2 diabetes,
- type II diabetes,
- type II diabetes mellitus
About this treatment
About This Condition
Diabetes mellitus is an inability to metabolize carbohydrates resulting from inadequate insulin production or utilization. Other forms of diabetes (such as diabetes insipidus) are not included in this discussion.
There are two types of diabetes mellitus, type 1 and type 2. This article concerns type 2 diabetes, which has also been called adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. However, type 2 diabetes may also affect children and may also require treatment with insulin. With type 2 diabetes, the pancreas often makes enough insulin, but the body has trouble using it. Type 2 diabetes frequently responds well to natural therapies.
People with diabetes cannot properly process glucose, a sugar the body uses for energy. As a result, glucose stays in the blood, causing blood glucose to rise. At the same time, however, the cells of the body can be starved for glucose. People with diabetes are at high risk for heart disease, atherosclerosis, cataracts, retinopathy, stroke, poor wound healing, infections, and damage to the kidneys and nerves. In addition, those with diabetes have a higher mortality rate if they also have high homocysteine levels.
Holistic Options
Acupuncture may be helpful in the treatment of diabetes, or complications associated with diabetes. Preliminary trials have suggested that acupuncture can lower blood sugar and improve insulin production in people with type 2 diabetes, but trials on long-term effects have not been concluded. In a preliminary trial, 77% of people suffering from diabetic neuropathy experienced significant reduction in pain following up to six acupuncture treatments over a ten-week period. Many were also able to reduce pain medications, but no long-term change in blood-sugar control was observed. Bladder control problems, a complication of long-term diabetes, responded to acupuncture treatment with a significant reduction in symptoms in both controlled and uncontrolled trials.
Last Review: 05-11-2011
Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
Learn more about Aisle7, the company.
The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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