What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a “chronic” disease characterised by having too much glucose in the blood because the body is not producing insulin or not using insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone needed for glucose to enter the cells and be converted to energy.

There are two main types of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent)
¨ Represents 10 to 15% of all cases of diabetes
¨ Occurs when the pancreas gland no longer produces the insulin needed
¨ Is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases in developed nations

Type 1 diabetes is a condition that occurs in people with a specific genetic risk. Diabetes occurs when an environmental trigger, such as a ‘flu virus, is thought to cause the immune system to destroy the beta cells that produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, an organ that lies close to the stomach.

Insulin is the hormone needed to transport the body’s energy source (glucose) into the cells where energy is manufactured. Without insulin the blood glucose levels rise

Diagnosis
Usually in childhood or young adulthood, although it can occur at any age.

Symptoms
Usually abrupt onset. Symptoms can include excessive thirst and urination, unexplained weight loss, weakness and fatigue, and irritability.

Treatment
Lifelong insulin injections every day, regular blood glucose level tests, healthy eating plan and regular physical activity.

Type 2 diabetes
¨ Represents 85 to 90% of all cases of diabetes
¨ Occurs when the pancreas is not producing enough insulin and the insulin is not working effectively
¨ Lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diet and lack of exercise can contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes
¨ Risk factors include family history

Type 2 diabetes is considered a lifestyle disease although it also has a significant genetic component. It is associated with inactivity, poor nutrition and excessive weight (particularly around the abdomen).

Type 2 diabetes is a disease of insulin resistance and is a progressive condition. This means that the management of blood glucose will change, over time, from diet and exercise to oral medications, and possibly insulin injections.

Type 2 diabetes generally develops slowly over many years. Symptoms may not appear or may go unnoticed until blood glucose levels are high.

Diagnosis
Usually in adults over the age of 45 but it is increasingly occurring at a younger age.

Symptoms
Sometimes symptoms go unnoticed as the disease develops gradually. Symptoms may include any of those for Type 1 diabetes plus blurred vision, skin infections, slow healing of wounds, tingling and numbness in the feet. Sometimes no symptoms are present.

Treatment
Regular physical activity and healthy eating. Over time treatment may progress from lifestyle modification to requiring tablets and/or insulin injections.

High risk categories for developing Type 2 diabetes
¨ Over 45 years of age and have high blood pressure
¨ Over 45 years of age and overweight
¨ Over 45 years of age and one of more members of the family has/had diabetes
¨ Over 55 years of age
¨ Have heart disease or had a heart attack
¨ Have/had high blood glucose levels during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
¨ Have recorded a pre-diabetes Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) or Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) blood glucose level
¨ Have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
¨ Over 35 years of age and are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
¨ Over 35 years of age and from Pacific Islands, Indian subcontinent or Chinese cultural background

Pre-diabetes
Two million Australians have a condition known as pre-diabetes and if left untreated may develop into Type 2 diabetes within 5 to10 years. Pre-diabetes is a condition when blood glucose levels are higher then normal but not yet high enough for a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. In addition to the risk of developing diabetes, people with pre-diabetes are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs in pregnancy and mostly disappears after the birth.
¨ Occurs in less than 9% of pregnancies (the mother does not have diabetes before pregnancy)
¨ Increases the risk of pregnancy complications
¨ Significantly increases the risk for women to develop Type 2 diabetes later in life
¨ May have an incidence of gestational diabetes as high as 20% amongst Aboriginal women and those from high risk ethnic groups, including India, China, Asia and Pacific Islands.
¨ Women who are over the age of 30, overweight, have a family history of Type 2 diabetes, have had gestational diabetes during previous pregnancies and women who have had difficulty bringing pregnancy to full term are at greater risk of gestational diabetes.

Complications of diabetes
Complications of diabetes include increased risk of heart disease and stroke, blindness, kidney failure, limb amputation and erectile dysfunction in men.

Diabetes and eye disease. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in Australians aged under 60. The development of retinopathy is strongly related to the length of time diabetes has been present and the degree of blood glucose control. Regular checks and treatment can prevent retinopathy-caused blindness.

Diabetes and kidney disease. Diabetes is the second most common cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD). In 2001 Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes accounted for 25% (Type 1: 4%, Type 2: 21%) of all new cases of ESRD diagnosed in Australia.

Diabetes and lower limbs. Neuropathy or peripheral nerve disease and vascular damage may lead to leg ulcers and serious foot problems from which limb amputation may result.

Diabetes and heart disease/stroke. Diabetes is also often associated with high blood pressure and high blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) and causes an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Prevalence of diabetes in Australia
1.2 million Australians have diabetes - half of them don’t know it – yet
¨ Type 2 diabetes is Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease
¨ Almost 1,500 people are diagnosed every week, 214 people every day
¨ An average of almost 74,000 people have been diagnosed in the past twelve months
¨ 599,259 Australians are diagnosed with diabetes. For every one who knows they have it, another has it but doesn’t know it - yet
¨ That is a total of 1.2 million people including those who are unaware they have diabetes
¨ By 2010, Diabetes Australia expects the number to reach 1.8 million

Results of the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Life Study (AusDiab) released April 2001 show that nearly one –in -four Australian adults has either diabetes or impaired glucose metabolism, both of which are associated with substantial increased risk of both diabetes and heart disease.
¨ It is the sixth highest cause of death by disease in Australia
¨ People with diabetes are almost three times more likely to have high blood pressure, obesity or elevated blood fats eg cholesterol
¨ They are two to three times more likely to have cardiovascular disease, eg heart disease and stroke
¨ 65%-80% of people with diabetes will die of coronary heart disease
¨ 15% of people with diabetes have heart disease compared to 2.5% without diabetes
¨ Renal disease accounts for 8% - 14% of deaths in people with diabetes
¨ 5% of people with diabetes will experience foot ulcers
¨ Of the 3000 amputations every year in people with diabetes, most are preventable
¨ Australia’s indigenous population suffers the fourth highest rate of Type 2 diabetes in the world

Source: www.diabetesnsw.com.au

Type 1 Diabetes

Important factors for regime to be successful:

Learn Buteyko Breathing from a qualified Buteyko practitioner (Must be vigilant, 20 minutes, twice a day)

Visit a Chinese Herbalist and get a herbal mixture made up specifically to aid digestion and assist leaky gut challenges.

Exercise:

Remember exercise is extremely important for the lymphatic system to operate effectively.

Start slowly, about 20 minutes/day of walking or cycling, and build up to at least one hour per day.

Water:

Filtered Water is mandatory, recommend Wellness Water Filters, go to: http://www.wellness.com.au/ and if possible buy Unique Water

Drink 6-8 glasses each day

Dietary changes:

Start each day with a breakfast shake, and avoid cereals, as most will still contain gluten. (See ingredients for breakfast shake listed below)

Breakfast Shake

Ingredients

1 heaped Tbs. – Whey Protein Concentrate (make sure it does not contain sugar or aspartame)

½ to 1 Tsp. – Maca Powder

1 Tsp. – concentrated green powder (i.e. spirulina, or barley green)

Purchase LSA – already ground Linseeds (L) (flax) sunflower (S) and almonds (A) and put three Tbs. total

1 tsp. Each – flax seed oil and/or olive oil – 1 tsp. Each

Organic fresh fruits (banana, peaches, apples, strawberries etc.)

15-20 mls of Colloidal minerals (contact Mark for recommendation).

½ tsp. Kelp powder

¼ c – coconut milk or Tbs. Coconut cream

½ c – rice milk – depending if you like a very thick shake

Vanilla essence

WHIP ALL INGREDIENTS TOGETHER IN A BLENDER

Avoid diary and wheat, No bread (except gluten free), no pasta, noodles, or spaghetti.

Buy gluten free bread, Rice cakes, and rice crackers for snacks, if potato chips are bought, look for the ones that are baked and not fried.

Where possible buy organic fruit and vegetables.

Supplements:

Contact Mark for the list of the 11 recommended supplements to assist with type 1 diabetes.

Mind work:

There is an acknowledged link between chronic illnesses and depression; therefore it is crucial that your emotional and mental wellbeing is also cared for. Please look at our mental/emotional section for some suggestions.

N.B. Be vigilant with Blood Tests, and adjust insulin levels as needed, in consultation with your diabetic specialist.

Type 2 Diabetes