Diabetes (type 1)
Diabetes mellitus ("sugar diabetes") is a long-term condition where the body is not able to control the amount of glucose in the blood. It develops when there is an insufficient amount of the natural hormone insulin. If untreated, the symptoms include excessive thirst, lots of trips to the toilet to pass urine and weight loss. Poorly controlled blood sugar can also be a major threat to health, including increased risk of heart disease and strokes, nerve damage and blindness.

Glucose and insulin
Glucose, a simple form of sugar, enters the blood from the intestines, where it is absorbed from food and sugary drink as a natural part of digestion. It is also produced by the liver, which acts as a store of energy.

One of the many functions of the blood is to carry glucose around the body. When it reaches the various body tissues, such as the muscle cells, it is converted into energy. The precise concentration of glucose in the blood is automatically regulated. Crucial to this is the hormone insulin, which is secreted into the blood by the pancreas – a gland found behind the stomach.Insulin is required for the conversion of glucose into energy. With the digestive system and liver working normally, a shortage of insulin causes glucose to build up in the blood, leading to the symptoms of diabetes.

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 diabetes is also known as insulin- dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). It can develop at any age, although it usually develops in children and young adults and is also referred to as juvenile onset diabetes. The affected person does not produce any of their own insulin and needs to take it by injection every day. Once it has developed, it is a life-long disease.

Type 2 diabetes occurs later in life and is sometimes known as late-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM). It is described more fully in the separate BUPA factsheet.

There are about 1.4 million people in the UK who are known to have diabetes – and possibly nearly as many again who have not yet been diagnosed. Around 15% of these have type 1 diabetes, making it much less common than type 2.

Chromium,

Found in a variety of foods and supplements, including liver, brewer's yeast, cheese, meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, chromium appears to enhance the body's sensitivity to insulin. Chromium is believed to help insulin pull glucose from the bloodstream into the cells for energy. The benefit of chromium supplements for diabetes has been studied and debated for a number of years. While some studies have shown no beneficial effects of chromium use for people with diabetes, other studies have shown that chromium supplements may reduce blood glucose levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes and reduce the need for insulin in those with type 1 diabetes. Most Americans obtain at least 50 mcg of chromium in their diets each day. The National Research Council estimates that intakes of 50 to 200 mcg per day are safe and effective. Studies showing improved blood sugar control for those with diabetes have used doses of chromium picolinate ranging from 200 to 1,000 mcg per day. Until studies of long-term safety have been conducted with the higher doses, however, it is best to use no more than 200 mcg per day.

Magnesium

While several studies have demonstrated a strong association between low levels of magnesium in the blood and type 2 diabetes, researchers have yet to determine which is the cause and which is the effect. In other words, researchers are investigating whether low magnesium levels worsen blood sugar control in type 2 diabetics or whether diabetes causes magnesium deficiencies. Some experts believe that low magnesium levels worsen blood sugar control and that foods rich in magnesium (such as whole grains, green leafy vegetables, bananas, legumes, nuts, and seeds) or magnesium supplements may promote healthy blood glucose levels. At least one small study suggests that taking magnesium supplements may improve the action of insulin and decrease blood sugar levels, particularly in the elderly. People with severe heart disease or kidney disease should not take magnesium supplements. Whether or not it is safe and appropriateness to take magnesium supplements should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Fiber
Studies suggest that a high-fiber diet may help:
Prevent development of type 2 diabetes
Lower average glucose and insulin levels in people who already have type 2 diabetes
Improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels in those with diabetes
In a large-scale study of nurses in the United States, women who consumed the most whole grain foods in their diets were nearly 40% less likely to develop diabetes than women who consumed the least.

Studies have also shown that cholesterol levels improved in people with type 2 diabetes after they took supplements of a soluble fiber known as psyllium (Plantago psyllium).

Vanadium

Vanadium is an essential trace mineral present in the soil and in many foods. It appears to mimic the action of insulin and, in a number of human studies, vanadyl sulfate (a form of vanadium) has increased insulin sensitivity in those with Type 2 diabetes. Animal studies and some small human studies also suggest that vanadium may lower blood glucose to normal levels (reducing the need for insulin) in diabetics. One preliminary study found that people with diabetes using insulin who were given vanadium were able to lower their dose of insulin. However, because the long-term safety of vanadium has not been established, this is not a recommended therapy at this time.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants such as beta-carotene and vitamin C are scavengers of free radicals—unstable and potentially damaging molecules generated by normal chemical reactions in the body. Free radicals are unstable because they lack one electron. In an attempt to replace this missing electron, the free radical molecules react with neighboring molecules in a process called oxidation. Some studies suggest that people with diabetes have elevated levels of free radicals and lower levels of antioxidants. Preliminary studies suggest that the following antioxidants may improve symptoms of diabetes (by returning blood glucose levels to the normal range) and reduce the risk of associated complications:

Vitamin E
Selenium
Zinc
Two additional substances that show preliminary evidence to possibly help control blood sugar include:

Biotin (a B-complex vitamin)—helpful for type 2 diabetes; brewer's yeast is a good source of biotin
Vitamin B6—helpful for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Supplements with Cardiovascular Effects

Because insulin resistance is often associated with cardiovascular disease, people with diabetes may benefit from nutrients that help manage elevated blood lipid levels, high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure. Although the following supplements have been shown to improve cardiovascular health, there is some concern that they may raise blood glucose levels. People with diabetes interested in trying the following supplements should first consult with their healthcare providers:

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Niacin
Omega-3 Fatty acids
Although recent studies have not shown that either CoQ10 or omega-3 fatty acid supplements raise blood sugar levels, individuals with diabetes should discuss the safety and appropriateness of using these, or any supplements, with their physician.

In addition, the following antioxidants have been shown to improve cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes:

Beta-carotene
Vitamin C (1000 mg per day)
Vitamin E (800 IU per day)
At least one study has also found that elevated manganese levels may help protect against LDL oxidation (a process that contributes to the development of plaque in the arteries).

Drug may prevent heart disease in diabetics
LONDON - Diabetics can prevent heart disease and live longer by taking the anti-cholesterol drug Atorvastatin, even if they do not have particularly high cholesterol levels, a study published on Friday said

Milk thistle extract could help diabetes control
A daily supplement of extracts from Milk Thistle significantly lowered fasting glucose levels by 15 per cent.The herbal supplement was also found to have significantly beneficial effects on glycosylated haemoglobin levels, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels on the diabetics who took part in the trial.Average glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels also decreased in the milk thistle extract-supplemented group, by 1.04 per cent after four months, compared to the 1.16 per cent increase in the placebo group.Blood levels of total cholesterol (12 per cent), LDL cholesterol (12 per cent) and triglyceride levels (25 per cent) were also significantly reduced as a result of the milk thistle extract supplements. No significant change in the placebo groups' total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol levels was measured, while triglyceride levels increased by 12 per cent.
 

The uses of turmeric
some described in ancient Indian medical texts, are indeed numerous. Indians put the spice on their Band-Aids as a disinfectant (Johnson & Johnson even makes turmeric Band-Aids for the Indian market) and sprinkle the powder on wounds to help them heal faster. People gargle with turmeric when they have laryngitis and rub it on the skin to cure cuts and psoriasis. They swallow it to treat bronchitis and chronic diseases such as diabetes.

If you use herbs, do so responsibly. Consult your doctor about your health conditions and use of herbal supplements. Herbs may be harmful if taken for the wrong conditions, used in excessive amounts, combined with prescription drugs or alcohol, or used by persons who don't know what they are doing. Just because an herbal remedy is natural, does not mean it is safe! There are herbs that are poisonous such as Poison Hemlock, Jimson weed, and many more.