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Type 2 diabetes does not strike you overnight.
It's not because of that glass of rose syrup you drank last night.
Neither is it due to that tub of ice cream you ate last week.
Instead, type 2 diabetes mellitus is a progressive metabolic
disorder that is the result of poor food choices over a period of
time. It can be years before the onset of the disease.
Before diabetes sets in, a condition known as
insulin resistance affects the body's muscle, fat and liver cells.
At normal times, insulin, via receptors on cells, signals these
cells to take up glucose from the levels in blood rise. Glucose is
the 'fuel' for cells to perform out various functions. When
resistance sets in, however, the aforementioned receptors no longer
respond efficiently to the insulin's signals and are not able to
utilize glucose properly.
The resulting high blood glucose level continues
to signal the pancreas to release more insulin into the bloodstream,
while the liver produces excessive glucose in response to the
energy-starved cells. As a result, many people with insulin
resistance have high levels of blood glucose and insulin circulating
simultaneously in the bloodstream.
Eventually, these compensation mechanisms fail to
work - the pressure pancreas is no longer capable of producing
adequate insulin levels after a meal and diabetes sets in. One of
the ways to delay or prevent the onset of diabetes mellitus is to
half or reverse resistance and to increase insulin sensitivity of
cells. Certain minerals and nutrients are known to aid insulin
sensitivity.
Here are four minerals that can keep this
disorder at bay.
1.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a very important trace mineral for cellular metabolism.
It is the second most most abundant cation (positively charged ion)
found in cells, primarily those of bone and muscle tissue, with
trace amounts in extra-cellular fluid. It participates in over 300
metabolic reactions, including glucose metabolism and cardiac
activity. Beside that, it also helps maintain normal level of
calcium and potassium in the cells. Based on his study, Dr Junji
Takaya, of Kansai Medical University in Japan, has concluded that
cellular magnesium contributes to glucose utilization and insulin
signaling which, if altered, may results in insulin resistance.
Many other studies have also shown a deficiency
of magnesium in diabetes mellitus as well as in several other
disorder like cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), high blood
pressure, glucose intolerance and dyslipidaemia Dietary
magnesium is absorbed and assimilated by our small intestines.
Excess magnesium - not used by our body is filtered by our kidneys
and discarded as waste urine.
We can obtain magnesium from dark green, leafly
vegetables, whole-grains and legumes. Depleted magnesium levels in
the body can be easily replenished with an increased intake of this
group of foods. However, diet alone cannot help a person with a very
low level of magnesium. For serious cases, doctors may prescribe
intravenous magnesium replacement or oral magnesium supplements.
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for
American adult males and females is 420mg/day and 320mg/day,
respectively. for example, half a cup of cooked spinach has 75mg of
magnesium. Sadly, magnesium is not listed on the Malaysian
recommended nutrient intake.
2. Chromium
Chromium is popular in the West as a nutritional supplement for
weight loss, mood enhancement and energy augmentation. It helps
boost the metabolism of glucose, protein and blood lipid. This
nutrient is one of the many essential minerals studied as
supplements for diabetic patients. There is growing evidence that
chromium regulates insulin action, so much so that scientist now
believe that chromium can help maintain insulin sensitivity.
Chromium helps to maximize insulin in receptor
cells. It helps insulin hormones bind to cells and this increases
glucose utilization. This results in a lesser demand for insulin and
the pancreas is no longer pressured after a meal. According to Dr
Richard Anderson, chromium increases insulin binding to cells, the
number of insulin receptors and activates insulin receptor kinase.
These modes of action lead to increased insulin sensitivity, which
is critical in the management of diabetes.
Chromium is widespread in the food chain. It is
present in almost all food types: meat, whole-grains, fruits,
vegetables and spices but in relatively small amounts. Although
easily available, this mineral is poorly absorbed by the intestines
- less than 0.4-2.5% of the amount consumed! Nevertheless,
absorption is increased by co-factors like vitamin C and B3
(niacin). Chromium is stored in the liver, spleen, soft tissues and
bone. However, a diet that is too high in simple sugars can deplete
the chromium store in our body as sugar increases chromium excretion
through kidney filtrations.
You can also buy chromium supplements and there
are many types available: chromium picolinate, chromium nicotinate,
high-chromium yeast and chromium citrate. In his paper, Dr. Michael
Hummel, of the Diabetes Research Institute and Academicals Hospital
in Germany, suggested taking 200mcg chromium picolinate as a daily
supplement.
3. Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid also known as
thiotic acid, lipoic acid, lipolate and dihydrolipoic aacid has been
prescribed by German doctors to treat diabetic neuropathy, nerve
damage due to complication of the disease, since 1959. In the Sydney
trial conducted in 2003, 60 patients with stage 2 diabetic
sensorimotor polyneuropathy (a form of diabetes-related nerve
damage) experienced significant improvement in sensory symptoms
after 14 treatments of intravenous alpha-lipoic acid infusion over
three weeks.
When compared with the placebo group, the
treatment group taking alpha-lipoic acid had significantly decreased
symptoms of stabbing pain, deep aching, burning, prickling,
asleep-numbness and excessive tenderness to contact or pressure. The
researchers found that this potent antioxidant improves nerve
pathophysiology, thus delaying or preventing nerve fiber
degeneration.
Dr. Peter Dyck, of the Mayo Clinic, explains: "
If nerve fibers partially degenerate, you get pain and prickling and
other symptoms."
Alpha-lipoic acid is such a powerful antioxidant
that it can also help rejuvenate other antioxidants in our body to
mop up free radicals. "High glucose in diabetes leaves trace
chemicals harmful to cells - the process is called oxidative stress.
If you burn something in the oven, it leaves soot. Similarly, in
disease, there is 'soot', and there are mechanism that relieve
'soot'. Antioxidants promote of the removal of oxidative stress
products," says Dr Dyck.
Studies indicate that alpha-lipoic acid at a dose
of 600mg/day - oral supplementation or intravenous is beneficial for
diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The Linus Pauling Institute
recommends 200-400mg/day for generally healthy people. This
micronutrient is widely available from animals and plant sources. It
is especially abundant in beef, kidney, heart, liver, spinach,
broccoli and Brewer's yeast. And, of course, the are supplements
available in capsules.
4.
Vanadium
Vanadium, a metal, is famed for its application as a component in
steel making since its discovery in the early 19th century. But
little was known about its role in human nutrition until recent
studies suggested it may benefit diabetic patients. Numerous animal
studies suggested potential in mimicking insulin and normalizing
elevated blood sugar levels. A particular vanadium compound,
vanadium sulphate, has received great interest as it has been shown
to be able to lower insulin requirements by up to 75%.
Short-term clinical trials conducted on diabetic
patients produced similar results and vanadium supplementation looks
promising. Researchers at the Montreal Diabetes Research Center have
been able to demonstrate vanadium's role in the initiation of
different biochemical pathways. Currently, they are attempting to
better understand how vanadium compouns work in relation to insulin
sensitive tissues.
We can get about 15-30mcg of vanadium from our
daily diet, especially from shellfish, whole-grains, mushrooms and
spices. Certain groundwater contains a high concentration of
vanadium, such as that found at Mount Fuji - 150ppb compared to less
than 3ppb elsewhere. Some manufacturers market vanadium supplements
in the form of drinking water. Other sell is as crystallized powder
or in liquid or tablet forms.
However, you must be careful in opting for this
form of supplementation, as safety levels for human consumption has
yet to be established. Although studies have shown that these
nutrients can help delay the onset of diabetes mellitus by
increasing insulin sensitivity or preventing further complications
like diabetic neuropathy, it is best to be prudent when deciding to
opt for supplements.
The golden rule is to be moderate in our diet and
adopt an exercise regime. This will definitely improve your insulin
sensitivity!
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