Diabetes is the most common endocrine disease effecting 16 million people in the US, and one-third of them do not know they have it.  According to National Diabetes Group, the prevalence is estimated 6.6%.  Diabetes contains Type I and Type II.  Type I is insulin dependent with genetic component.  Type II is multifactorial and caused primarily by eating high calorie food, which combined with a lack of exercise, increases the burden on pancreas.  Patients with Type II diabetes usually overweigh.  Type I represents only 10% of all diabetes and its age of onset is usually under 40 years old.  On the contrary, Type II patients are usually above 40 years old.  Most often medical help is sought because of symptoms related to hyperglycemia (polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia). 

Blood Sugar Comparison

                                      Normal             Impaired               Diabetes
(Whole Blood)                                       Glucose 
                                                              Tolerance

Fasting                          <100                <120                   >=120

2 hours after meal        <120                 120 ~ 180           >=180

Complications

1. Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the four major causes of blindness in the US.
2. Diabetic Nephropathy is the single most common cause of end-stage renal disease in the US.
3. Diabetic Neuropathy is the most common cause of foot deformity, foot trauma and ulcer, which may lead to amputation.

Traditional Treatments

1. Insulin Injections: Most of Type I patients need insulin injections and some Type II patients also need it. 

2. Oral Hypoglycemic Agents:
a. Insulin secretogogues: most commonly seen as Diabinese, Diabeta, Glucotrol and Amaryl.
b. Biguanides: as Metformin (Glucophage, Glucovance).
c. Thiazolidinediones: Actos, Avandia and Rezulin.
d. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors: Glyset.

Side Effects of Traditional Treatments
1. Insulin Injections: Hypoglycemic reaction, systemic reaction (could be life threatening), and lipodystrophy (depression or enlargement or thickening skin tissue).

2. Oral Hypoglycemic Agents:
a. Insulin secretogogues may cause hypoglycemia, abnormal liver function, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia.
b. Biguanides: Glucophage or Glucovance may cause lactic acidosis which is serious and can be fatal, and liver or kidney damages.
c. Thiazolidinediones: Actos and Avandia may cause decrease of hemoglobin and hematocrit, and increase of lipids and liver enzymes.  Rezulin was removed from the market by FDA because of severe hepatic failure which caused more than 50 people’s death.
e.  Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors: Glyset may cause kidney damages and hypoglemia.

Side-effect-free Solutions

• Chromium
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1995,61:614-7
 Niological Signals, 1994, 3:271-277
 Diabetes, 1997, 46(11):1786-1791
• Chromium compound is important for normal glucose metabolism.
• Well controlled studies involving human subjects have demonstrated beneficial effects of supplemental chromium on fasting glucose, glucose tolerance, blood lipid, insulin binding and hypoglycemic blood glucose values and symptoms.

• Green Barley
Annual Nutrition Metabolic, 1991(35):61-64
• Green Barley contains 500 – 700 enzymes which is rich of chromium.
• It can balance insulin concentration.
• It can decrease blood sugar.

• Ginkgo Biloba can lower blood sugar and improve neuropathy due to diabetes.

• Antioxidants: vitamin C and E can enhance insulin function in pancreas.  Vitamin C can decrease sorbitol in tissue cells which can lower fragility of blood vessels and improve circulation.

• Multi-vitamin containing Chromium provides a balanced nutrition basis.

• Vitamin B-complex is essential to prevent complications of diabetic neuropathy.

< Daily Suggested Regimen > 

Chromium          1000 ug
Green Barley     4-6 Teaspoons
Ginkgo Biloba    240 mg
Antioxidants      4 Tabs (Vitamin A, C, E, Selenium, Grape Seeds, Zinc,  & Green Tea)
Multi-vitamin      4 Tabs
B-Complex         4 Tabs