Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a serious, noncongenital condition that is growing to epidemic proportions in the United States. Chronic diabetic hyperglycemia is associated with damage to the cardiovascular system eyes, kidneys, and nerves (Diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus, 1994). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as of 2007, nearly 24 million people in the United States (about 8 percent) were diagnosed with diabetes, an increase of more than 3 million over two years. Another 57 million are prediabetic, putting them at risk of developing diabetes (CDC, 2008). The vast majority of diabetics (90 to 95 percent) have Type 2 diabetes, or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, 2007). The focus of this paper is the use of herbs in glycemic control.
Goals for Managing Type 2 Diabetes
The primary goals for managing Type 2 diabetes across the age spectrum are: achieving and maintaining glycemic control, which may include improving insulin sensitivity and secretion, identifying and treating comorbidities, and preventing vascular complications (Bloomgarden 2007, Laffel & Svoren 2007).
While conventional medications, including insulin, may allow individuals with Type 2 diabetes to live relatively normal lives, it is frequently possible to reverse the condition entirely with appropriate dietary and lifestyle modifications and adjunctive use of medicinal herbs and supplements provided the condition has not progressed to permanent pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction (Anderson & Ward 1979, Barnard et al. 1994). As part of a comprehensive approach to managing glycemic issues, the herbalist should be familiar with the fundamental dietary and lifestyle variables that contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes.
Ten Herbs for Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes
by Richard Karel
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a serious, noncongenital condition that is growing to epidemic proportions in the United States. Chronic diabetic hyperglycemia is associated with damage to the cardiovascular system eyes, kidneys, and nerves (Diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus, 1994). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as of 2007, nearly 24 million people in the United States (about 8 percent) were diagnosed with diabetes, an increase of more than 3 million over two years. Another 57 million are prediabetic, putting them at risk of developing diabetes (CDC, 2008). The vast majority of diabetics (90 to 95 percent) have Type 2 diabetes, or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, 2007). The focus of this paper is the use of herbs in glycemic control.
Goals for Managing Type 2 Diabetes
The primary goals for managing Type 2 diabetes across the age spectrum are: achieving and maintaining glycemic control, which may include improving insulin sensitivity and secretion, identifying and treating comorbidities, and preventing vascular complications (Bloomgarden 2007, Laffel & Svoren 2007).
While conventional medications, including insulin, may allow individuals with Type 2 diabetes to live relatively normal lives, it is frequently possible to reverse the condition entirely with appropriate dietary and lifestyle modifications and adjunctive use of medicinal herbs and supplements provided the condition has not progressed to permanent pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction (Anderson & Ward 1979, Barnard et al. 1994). As part of a comprehensive approach to managing glycemic issues, the herbalist should be familiar with the fundamental dietary and lifestyle variables that contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes.
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