Diabetes Type I and II and Glyconutrients
There are two types of diabetes Diabetes Mellitis Type I and Type II. Diabetes occurs when sugar - glucose - in the blood is not processed normally by the body. Blood sugar normally stays within a quite limited range. Insulin and glucagon (hormones produced in the pancreas) regulate the balance of blood glucose. Insulin is used to help convert blood sugar into energy or fat and glucagons is only produced when blood sugar levels are low to encourage the release of sugar into the blood. When sugar levels are excessively high for prolonged periods damage to many of the body's systems can begin to occur.
In both diabetes type I and type II there is insufficient insulin produced by the pancreas to mop up all the glucose in the blood in the normal time period, resulting in blood glucose levels remaining high. The two reasons for this happening determine if it is type I or type II diabetes. In type I, it is caused by the inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin. In type II, it is because the body has become resistant to insulin resulting in the body gradually requiring more and more insulin to deal with the same amount of sugar.
In type I the reason the pancreas produces little or no insulin is because the pancreatic cells that normally create it have been destroyed, usually by an autoimmune phenomenon that may occur after a viral infection, when antibodies and immune cells are raised against the cells of the pancreas. Glyconutrients, other than glucose, may actually stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin. It achieves this without causing the damaging side effects of high blood glucose levels. In a study published in the November 1997 issue of Proceedings of the Fisher Institute for Medical Research reported the addition of glyconutrients to the diet of people with type I diabetes reported a dramatic improvement in their health, a decrease in vision problems, better wound healing, less infections, and lower blood pressure. Some people were able to lower their insulin medications.
Type II diabetes is also known as Maturity Onset Diabetes, Adult Onset Diabetes and Non Insulin Diabetes. Type II is the most common form and a person may have this type of diabetes for many years without being aware of it. It can be precipitated by steroids and stress and if not properly treated, can lead to complications like blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and nerve damage. Glyconutrients have been shown in animal studies to lower plasma glucose, plasma insulin, and urinary glucose and reduce food intake in genetically diabetic mice.
Type I diabetes is usually recognised in childhood or early adolescence with the peak age for diagnosis at approximately 11 years. Symptoms of type I diabetes are often dramatic and come on very suddenly and may be in association with an illness - such as a virus - or injury. Extra stress can cause diabetic ketoacidosis with symptoms including nausea and vomiting. Dehydration and often-serious disturbances in blood levels of potassium follow. This is a serious complication and can lead to death if treatment is not given.
Common symptoms of both major types of diabetes are as follows (type I has rapid onset of symptoms and type II has slow onset):
- unexplained weight loss
- fatigue
- excessive thirst (polydipsia)
- excessive urination (polyuria)
- excessive eating (polyphagia)
- poor wound healing
- infections
- altered mental status
- blurry vision
Glyconutrient supplementation for diabetics will support the body to function optimally. For all people not just those with diabetes, glyconutrients form the basic cellular language of all cells. Cells require adequate amounts of glyconutrients to allow cells to communicate 'correctly'. These nutrients are known to improve the immune system function, organ function and improve basic body physiology. If cells cannot communicate correctly they cannot function correctly or stay healthy. Glyconutrients for cell communication are pivotal no matter what other supplements you decide to take.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this medical condition section is strictly educational and not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of medical disorders, consult your health care professional.
Copyright 2005 Glyconutrients Reference - Last Updated May 2005
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