Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which a person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin (insulin resistance), or both. People with high blood sugar will typically experience frequent urination (polyuria), increased thirst (polydipsia) and increased hunger (polyphagia).

Diabetes is a common condition of aging. In 2012, 29.1 million Americans, or 9.3% of the population had diabetes, these numbers continue to increase each year. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States. Approximately 90% of all cases of diabetes worldwide are type-2 (DM-II), which is what I will be focusing on in this article.

Some of the factors that increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes include being overweight, physical inactivity, eating an unhealthy diet and genetics (a close relative who has/had type 2 diabetes, people of Middle Eastern, African, or South Asian descent).

Type 2 diabetes (DM-II) is a disease that generally develops as a result of poor life-style choices. Overweight and obese people have a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with a healthy body weight. People with increased visceral fat (that surrounds the organs) and belly fat (abdominal obesity) are especially at risk. Being overweight or obese causes the body to release chemicals that can destabilize the body's cardiovascular and metabolic systems, accelerating the aging process.

Heart disease and blood vessel disease are the biggest complications that develop in people with uncontrolled diabetes. Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes and the risk for stroke is also 2 to 4 times higher. Diabetes can cause poor blood flow in the legs and feet (peripheral artery disease) leading to pain and other complications. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves, which leads to loss of sensation or pain and burning of the feet. Approximately 60-70% of people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage. Blood vessel and nerve damage may lead to foot problems that can lead to amputations. More than 60% of leg and foot amputations are due to diabetes. Diabetes is also the leading cause of kidney failure in adults in the U.S.

Diabetes can also cause a variety of eye problems, some of which can lead to blindness if not addressed, including glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. Regular eye checks are vital for people with diabetes.

To prevent these complications it is important to re-establish healthy blood sugar regulation. Blood sugar is regulated by insulin produced by beta cells in the pancreas. When you consume a meal containing carbohydrates or sugar, an appropriate amount of insulin is released from the pancreas allowing the glucose (sugar) to enter the cells where is it utilized in the production of energy. However, if your diet includes large amounts of processed carbohydrates and sugar the pancreas over-produces insulin, and over time has the effect of creating a state of insulin resistance, as well eventual inadequate release of insulin from the pancreas, leading to high blood sugar or diabetes.

Research has shown that states of elevated blood sugar in people with diabetes causes mitochondrial damage to the beta cells in the pancreas that secrete insulin. Mitochondria, known as the cell's "powerhouse", produce most of every cell's supply of ATP, the prime fuel for cellular activity. When compromised in this way, the beta-cell's mitochondria begin to destroy the cell, worsening the diabetes. Resveratrol, a powerful anti-oxidant helps to enhance mitochondrial function and may prevent or delay the destruction of the beta cells.

Oxidative stress is also central to the damage caused by diabetes. Diabetics suffer from high levels of free radicals that damage blood vessels, nerves and other tissues throughout the body, accelerating the aging process. In the treatment of diabetes, it is important to not only focus on blood sugar control but also antioxidant therapy to help reduce oxidative damage and lower the risk of diabetic complications. These treatments might include vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, alpha-lipoic acid, manganese, selenium, zinc, amino acids like L-carnosine and N-acetyl cysteine, L-taurine, melatonin, resveratrol and CoQ10. It's important to work with your doctor to create an individualized plan for your specific needs.

Diet is one of the most significant influences in both developing and reversing DM-II. For example, drinking just one can of non-diet soda per day can raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 22%, according to researchers from Imperial College London reported in the journal Diabetologia. Avoiding high-sugar foods and refined carbohydrates (white flour, sugar and white rice) is vital in restoring healthy blood sugar regulation. Your diet should also include plenty of fiber, healthy fats and protein, an abundance of vegetables and a moderate amount of fruit. A diet rich in anti-oxidants is also very important. This may include small red beans (dried), kidney beans, pinto beans, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, walnuts, cooked artichokes, blackberries, prunes and raspberries.

Many people are able to control their type 2 diabetes symptoms or even reverse their diabetes by making healthy life-style changes like losing weight, following a healthy diet, doing plenty of exercise, and supplementing with nutrients and herbs that assist in healthy blood sugar regulation. Treatments might include but are not limited to chromium, vanadium, magnesium, gymnema, bitter melon, cinnamon and berberine. Specific dosages should be determined by your doctor.

If you are struggling with blood sugar dysregulation or diabetes ask one of the Naturopathic doctors at Arizona Natural Medicine for advice. Our goal is to support you in achieving optimal health with a focus on prevention and slowing the aging process of your body so that you can enjoy life with a youthful physical vitality.