Blood Pressure Health

Let’s Talk About Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X)

Friday, August 27, 2010 by Dr. Julian Whitaker

In addition to being the driving force behind type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance is also part and parcel of a condition called metabolic syndrome (formerly syndrome X).

Identified in the mid-1980s by Stanford University researcher Gerald Reaven, MD, metabolic syndrome is a cluster of disorders that includes obesity (particularly abdominal obesity), high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, low HDL cholesterol (often referred to as “good” cholesterol, since it ushers excess cholesterol out of the body), and increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Reaven, observing that these seemingly unrelated disorders cropped up so often in the same individuals, determined that the one underlying constant was insulin resistance.

Though the natural treatments for diabetes that I often write about are geared toward people who are already managing diabetes, it is good to know that your efforts at beating diabetes can also help protect against hypertension, heart disease, and obesity.

For more information about metabolic syndrome (syndrome X), insulin resistance, and how to manage diabetes, visit www.drwhitaker.com.

Managing Diabetes Side Effects With Infrared Light Therapy

Wednesday, August 25, 2010 by Dr. Julian Whitaker

Infrared light therapy (brand names Anodyne and HealthLight) delivers pulses of special wavelengths of light through the skin directly to injured tissues. Though the light itself is invisible, its effects are readily apparent: enhanced blood flow, improved sensation, regeneration of tissues, and pain relief.

As I've indicated before, treatment with infrared light therapy is simple and painless. Flexible pads containing small lights are affixed to the affected areas. The energy that pulses from the lights penetrates beneath the skin and is absorbed by deep tissues. After just 30 minutes of treatment, blood flow is enhanced by 400 percent, and this boost in local circulation persists for several hours after the pads are removed. The key to this dramatic improvement in blood flow is a short-lived molecule called nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide is an unstable gas that is crucial to the health of every part of the body that depends on an adequate blood supply for normal functioning. Unfortunately, people dealing with diabetes produce less nitric oxide than healthy individuals. It’s not surprising then that people living with diabetes often suffer from problems related to poor circulation, including heart disease, poor blood pressure health, kidney dysfunction, retinal damage, peripheral neuropathy, and impaired wound healing. This is where infrared light therapy comes in.

As blood cells pass beneath the light unit, they absorb photons of energy, causing them to release nitric oxide. This localized release enhances blood flow in the immediate vicinity, bringing oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues and stimulating healing.

Infrared light therapy has been the subject of at least eight clinical trials in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and “loss of protective sensation,” an objective measure of nerve impairment and a significant risk factor for amputation. These studies found that treatment with infrared light restored sensation in 93 percent of affected limbs, greatly reducing risk of amputation.

Though you may not hear about it from your conventional doctor, infrared light therapy is gaining popularity as its benefits are becoming better known.

For more information about new diabetes treatments and how to manage diabetes, visit www.drwhitaker.com.

Another Diabetes Success Story

Monday, August 23, 2010 by Dr. Julian Whitaker

Though William had been managing diabetes well for several years, he began experiencing symptoms of diabetic neuropathy at age 61. Severe pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in his ankles and feet made walking difficult and golf impossible. When he lost the ability to sense pressure on the soles of his feet, his balance suffered and he was forced to use a cane.

William and his wife traveled to southern California to visit family for the holidays. His niece Juliet, who works at the Whitaker Wellness Institute, was at one of the family get-togethers. When Juliet realized the extent of her uncle’s suffering, she urged him to schedule an appointment at the clinic. William took her advice.

The first treatment we offered him was infrared light therapy (brand names Anodyne and HealthLight). Infrared light therapy delivers pulses of special wavelengths of light through the skin directly to injured tissues. Though the light itself is invisible, its effects are readily apparent: enhanced blood flow, improved sensation, and regeneration of tissues. It also relieves pain.

Treatment is simple. Flexible pads containing small lights are affixed over the feet, ankles, or other affected areas. The energy that pulses from the lights penetrates beneath the skin and is absorbed by deep tissues. After just 30 minutes of treatment, blood flow is enhanced by 400 percent, and this boost in local circulation persists for several hours after the pads are removed.

Within two weeks of his first treatment, William noticed less pain in his feet and ankles. A week later, he was able to get around the house and go up and down the stairs without relying on his cane. And at the end of his five-week stay in California, he was virtually pain-free.

For more information about new diabetes treatments and how to manage diabetes, visit www.drwhitaker.com.

Treat Diabetic Complications

Friday, August 13, 2010 by Dr. Julian Whitaker

At the Whitaker Wellness Institute, we routinely prescribe high doses of water- and fat-soluble vitamins and minerals to virtually all of our patients. However, for our patients living with diabetes, we bump up those amounts by at least 50 percent. The diabetic condition causes increased urination and essentially acts as a diuretic, washing away magnesium, zinc, folic acid, and other vital nutrients from the body. Supplementing with high levels of these vitamins and minerals helps compensate for nutritional deficiencies and protect against diabetic complications.

Take Roxann, a type 2 diabetic who had been on insulin for 16 years. She had retinopathy, angina, high blood pressure, a history of two heart attacks, and an open ulcer on her foot that refused to heal. But the most debilitating of her problems was neuropathy. Nerve damage left her with virtually no sensation in her feet, and she could barely get around on her own.

After hitting rock bottom, Roxann came to my clinic and started on a comprehensive nutritional regimen that included high doses of antioxidants, B-complex vitamins, zinc, magnesium, and targeted nutrients and herbs known to help control blood sugar. Given the severity of Roxann’s condition, she also underwent a course of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

Within three days, the feeling began to return to Roxann’s feet. She had more energy, less pain, and a renewed sense of hope. By the end of her second week at the clinic, she was walking normally. In fact, she and her daughter did something that would have been unthinkable just three weeks before: They spent the next couple of days strolling around and sightseeing in southern California.

If you’re living with diabetes and are seeing a conventional doctor, ask this question: “Doctor, I understand that diabetes causes losses of many micronutrients in the urine. Would it be wise for me to be on a nutrient supplement regimen to counteract those losses?”

If your doctor says it’s not needed or gives you some garbage about lack of science or some other nonsense, run—don’t walk—to a physician with a different attitude toward nutritional supplementation and other natural diabetes treatments. You just might save yourself a whole lot of suffering.

For more information on treating diabetes or key supplements for diabetes, visit www.drwhitaker.com.

Three Characteristics of Type 2 Diabetes

Friday, July 30, 2010 by Dr. Julian Whitaker

While type 2 diabetes can sneak up on you, there are three type 2 diabetes symptoms you should be aware of:

Diabetes and weight go hand-in-hand. The vast majority of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight, with the distribution of weight most commonly in the abdominal area. Excess weight is also a known factor in insulin resistance.
Most people with type-2 diabetes are inactive. Exercise enhances insulin sensitivity and makes it easier to control blood sugar.
The average newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patient is middle-aged. Once we hit our forties, our lifestyle indiscretions are no longer protected by the resilience of youth. Years of an unhealthy diet, extra pounds, and lack of exercise begin to take their toll and we succumb to degenerative diseases—not only diabetes but also other diseases of aging, such as heart disease, blood pressure concerns, and arthritis.

For more information on type 2 diabetes symptoms, natural diabetes treatments, and reversing diabetes, visit www.drwhitaker.com.

A Diabetes Success Story

Monday, June 14, 2010 by Dr. Julian Whitaker

R.B., a type 2 diabetic, had been on insulin for 16 years. She had retinopathy, angina, high blood pressure, a history of two heart attacks, and an open ulcer on her foot that refused to heal. But the most debilitating of her problems was neuropathy. Nerve damage left her with virtually no sensation in her feet, and she could barely get around on her own.

After hitting rock bottom, R.B. came to the Whitaker Wellness Institute and started on a comprehensive nutritional regimen, which included high doses of antioxidants, B-complex vitamins, zinc, magnesium, and targeted nutrients and herbs to help control her blood sugar. Given the severity of her condition, R.B. also underwent a course of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

Within three days, the feeling began to return to her feet. She had more energy, less pain, and a renewed sense of hope. By the end of her second week at the clinic, she was walking normally. In fact, she and her daughter did something that would have been unthinkable just three weeks before: They spent the next couple days strolling around and sightseeing in southern California.

R.B. is just one of many diabetes success stories. And, in 99 percent of these cases, people have been willing to try natural diabetes treatments, as opposed to conventional methods of treating this disease. Targeted supplements for diabetes, coupled with lifestyle modifications, are just a few of the natural methods used in treating diabetes – and they work.

Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and Diabetes

Friday, May 28, 2010 by Dr. Julian Whitaker

Two of the best natural remedies for diabetes are B-complex vitamins and vitamin C.

B-complex vitamins, particularly B6 and B12, are vital for the health of people who have diabetes. That’s because these vitamins support nerve health, which is critical when addressing conditions such as diabetic neuropathy.

Biotin is another B-complex vitamin that is necessary for cell growth and for the metabolism of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. This vitamin also also been shown to lower fasting blood sugar levels and reduce risk of complications such as diabetic neuropathy.

The ideal daily dose for people living with diabetes is 75-125 mg of B6, 150-1,000 mcg of B12, and 300 mcg of biotin daily.

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that protects against free-radical damage throughout the body. This vitamin is also required for the production of collagen, so it strengthens the blood vessels and supports healthy blood flow. In addition, it is involved in multiple aspects of the immune response and boosts overall immunity.

Perhaps most important to people managing diabetes, however, is vitamin C’s ability to lower levels of sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that can collect in the cells and damage the eyes, kidneys, and nerves. This, plus its ability to put the brakes on free radicals, makes vitamin C an important weapon in the arsenal against diabetes complications.

Finally, vitamin C is an excellent therapy for another condition that often co-exists in individuals living with diabetes: hypertension. Irish researchers found that just 500 mg of vitamin C a day lowered blood pressure and arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes.

I recommend people dealing with diabetes take at least 1,000 mg of supplemental vitamin C daily.

Lose Weight, Lose Diabetes

Wednesday, May 5, 2010 by Dr. Julian Whitaker

To show you how making a commitment to lifestyle changes is one of the best preventive methods for reversing diabetes, I want to share one of my favorite diabetes success stories. It comes from a gentleman named J.D.

J.D. writes: “Dr. Whitaker, four and a half years ago, I was 43 and in the worst shape of my life. At 6’2”, I weighed 310 pounds, and the only exercise I got was mowing my yard. I insisted on going out for a fast food lunch every day because I just ‘had to get out of the office,’ and those meals were usually ‘supersized’ so I could get as much food as possible for my money.

“I already had hypertension and high cholesterol when a routine physical found a fasting blood sugar of 160, and I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Fortunately for me, my doctor gave me an ultimatum: I could either lose weight or I would have to go on medication for the rest of my life. My wife was determined that I would not take any drugs. We checked out your book, Reversing Diabetes, and began utilizing many of the techniques it describes. I started exercising and our whole family changed lifestyles.

“Today, four years later, I have lost over 100 pounds and it has stayed off. I have never taken medication for diabetes, and my cholesterol and blood pressure health are also under control.
I feel better than I have in years.”

J.D. decided that reversing diabetes was within his reach and he did what was necessary to make it happen. You can do the same.

But even easier is to take steps now to prevent the disease. Preventing type 2 diabetes is a lot easier than reversing it. I encourage you to seek natural treatments for diabetes, many of which are presented here in this blog.

Two Diabetes Risk Factors You May Not Know About

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 by Dr. Julian Whitaker

Risk Number #1—Prescription Drugs: Taking certain prescription drugs can increase your risk of developing diabetes.

Common culprits include corticosteroids (typically prescribed to treat asthma and arthritis) and antipsychotic drugs (such as Seroquel and Risperdal, used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). Drugs prescribed for patients with hypertension, such as thiazide diuretics (also used to treat heart failure), and beta blockers raise risk of diabetes as well.

Researchers recently discovered that taking antidepressants for two or more years have an 84 percent greater likelihood of developing diabetes. The most problematic drugs were the selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) paroxetine (Paxil and Seroxat) and the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline (Endep and Elavil). Patients taking more than 20 mg of paroxetine daily experienced a fourfold increased risk of diabetes

If you are taking these medications, talk to your doctor about safe, natural alternatives to these side effect-riddled drugs. Just as there are medications for diabetes, there are nutritional supplements you may be able to take to more naturally treat type 2 diabetes.

Risk #2—Smoking: Everyone knows smoking increases your risk of cancer, but many probably don’t know that it also increases risk of type 2 diabetes. People who smoke are at increased risk of compromising their blood pressure health, which can make them more susceptible to diabetes.

Another Downside of Supplemental Insulin

Friday, March 19, 2010 by Dr. Julian Whitaker

In my earlier post, I explained that supplemental insulin can cause people who are trying to manage diabetes to gain weight. Sadly enough, weight gain isn’t the only downside of insulin use.

Another strike against insulin is its tendency to increase your risk of hypertension.

Taiwanese researchers looked at more than 87,000 patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated with either oral drugs or insulin. They found that patients managing diabetes using insulin had a higher prevalence of hypertension (61.3 versus 53.9 percent), and the longer they used it, the greater their risk.

This is not surprising when you consider insulin’s activities beyond nutrient storage.

Injected insulin increases sodium retention and stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. It induces oxidative stress, leading to free-radical damage that impairs the function of the endothelial cells lining the arteries. It also has growth factor–like activity that thickens blood vessels and increases risk of atherosclerosis, which also adversely affects blood pressure health.

Since people living with diabetes are already at dramatically increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, the last thing they need is a treatment that amplifies this risk.

I opt for more natural remedies for diabetes, many of which I’ll be discussing here in my blog. Please stay tuned.

Diabetes Complication #1: Heart Disease

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 by Dr. Julian Whitaker

Much of the research on the relationship between diabetes and heart disease has come from the Framingham Heart Study.

Started in the early 1950s, this study, which has followed the medical history of thousands of residents of Framingham, Massachusetts, has provided a gold mine of data showing how people living with diabetes are at dramatically increased risk of heart disease and related health concerns.

Other studies have demonstrated that even in the absence of other heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease, people living with diabetes are still at a much higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and death from cardiovascular disease. They’re also more likely to be concerned about their blood pressure health. Why is this?

The most common type of heart disease, coronary artery disease, is primarily a disease of the blood vessels, or coronary arteries, that supply the heart muscle with vital oxygen and nutrients. In a process known as atherosclerosis, the artery walls become narrowed and hardened with buildups of cholesterol and cellular debris, which can restrict blood flow and impair circulation. If the blood flow through these arteries is severely restricted, angina (chest pain caused by insufficient oxygen to the heart muscle) may result. And if a blood clot lodges in a narrowed artery, a heart attack or stroke may occur.

When you throw elevated blood sugar into the mix, the situation only gets worse. Excess blood sugar makes the blood less viscous, causing impaired circulation. And high levels of insulin, also characteristic of type 2 diabetes, damage the arteries and contribute to atherosclerosis. So it makes sense that people living with diabetes are also at increased risk of developing heart disease. Fortunately, taking steps to manage blood sugar levels can help to reduce this risk.

Metabolic Syndrome

Friday, February 19, 2010 by Dr. Julian Whitaker

In addition to being the driving force behind type-2 diabetes, insulin resistance is also part and parcel of a condition known as metabolic syndrome.

Identified in the mid-1980s by Stanford University researcher Gerald Reaven, MD, metabolic syndrome, initially called syndrome X, is a cluster of disorders that includes obesity, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol (often referred to as “good” cholesterol since it ushers excess cholesterol out of the body), and increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Reaven, observing that these seemingly unrelated disorders cropped up so often in the same individuals, determined that the one underlying constant was insulin resistance. In addition to insulin resistance, here are some of the other risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome:

Abdominal obesity: an accumulation of excess fat around the waist
Age: the older you are, the higher your risk
Sedentary lifestyle
Hormone imbalances
Poor diet: a diet high in saturated and trans fats and sugar

Fortunately, by following the alternative treatments for diabetes that we’ll be sharing here, you will not only protect yourself from diabetes, but also lower your risk of metabolic syndrome.

Three Diabetes Risk Factors

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 by Dr. Julian Whitaker

While there are many diabetes risk factors, I’d like to focus on three:

1. Prescription Drugs. Taking certain prescription drugs can increase your risk of developing diabetes. Common culprits include: corticosteroids (typically prescribed to treat asthma and arthritis), thiazide diuretics (often used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure), and antipsychotic drugs. British researchers also found that beta blockers (medications used to treat hypertension) increase the risk of diabetes by 50 percent. If you are taking any of these medications, talk to your doctor about safe, natural alternatives to these side effect-riddled drugs. Doing so may help you manage diabetes.

2. Level of Activity. People who are inactive are at higher risk of developing type-2 diabetes. In fact, Harvard researchers found that the more TV you watch, the more likely you are to develop diabetes and weight problems. This is because lack of regular exercise lowers insulin sensitivity and increases the possibility of metabolic syndrome.

3. Smoking. Everyone knows smoking increases your risk of cancer, but many probably don’t know that it is also a risk factor for type2 diabetes.

There are many other diabetes risk factors, which we will explore in this blog. We’ll also carefully examine the many alternative treatments for diabetes and how you can incorporate them into your daily life.

You Can Do It -- A Diabetes Success Story

Friday, October 9, 2009 by Dr. Julian Whitaker

I'll admit, by now it's easy for me to say that preventing and beating diabetes is possible without drugs. I've seen it time and again. It inspires me to see it happen, but by now it doesn't surprise me.

I know that controlling diabetes naturally may not seem possible. Living with this condition -- or even just the threat of pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome -- is difficult. Your doctors may have told you it's too late, permanent, or something worse.

I'm here to tell you, they're wrong. You CAN do it. And all it takes for most people are two things: knowledge and commitment. Ok, if there's a third thing, it's inspiration.

I can give you the knowledge. The power of knowing what's possible is what launched Health & Healing so many years ago. The commitment comes from you.

And to show you how making a commitment to lifestyle changes is one of the best ways to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes, here's a little inspiration, courtesy of a diabetes success story from Georgia newsletter subscriber J.D.:

“Four and a half years ago, I was 43 and in the worst shape of my life. At 6’2” I weighed 310 pounds, and the only exercise I got was mowing my yard. I insisted on going out for a fast food lunch every day because I just ‘had to get out of the office,’ and those meals were usually ‘supersized’ so I could get as much food as possible for my money.

“I already had hypertension and high cholesterol when a routine physical found a fasting blood sugar of 160, and I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Fortunately for me, my doctor gave me an ultimatum: I could either lose weight or I would have to go on medication for the rest of my life. My wife was determined that I would not take any drugs.

We checked out Dr. Whitaker’s book, Reversing Diabetes, and began utilizing many of his techniques. I started exercising and our whole family changed lifestyles.

“Today, four years later, I have lost over 100 pounds and it has stayed off. I have never taken medication for diabetes, and my cholesterol and blood pressure are also under control. I walk four miles, four days a week, and climb Stone Mountain two days a week. I feel better than I have in years.”

J.D. ends his letter with this. “I think the secret is that you have to decide that this is not just a ‘diet’ but rather a lifestyle change. You also need the support and encouragement of your family and friends.”

J.D. was lucky to have a doctor who told it like it was and a helpful wife. If you don’t have that support, create it. Find a new doctor, join an exercise group, keep reading this blog, enroll in a weight loss program—the possibilities are endless.

Just keep your eye on your goal and remember this: changing your diet or exercising may seem difficult, but it’s easier than dealing with the inevitable complications of diabetes down the line.

Reduce Complications from Diabetes by Replacing Stolen Nutrients

Friday, October 2, 2009 by Dr. Julian Whitaker

As I’ve said many times (and conventional medicine continues to ignore) diabetes is a nutritional wasting disease. As a result of the continual nutritional losses that occur in people with diabetes, body parts simply fall off.

Diabetes is our number-one cause of blindness, amputation, and kidney failure. It dramatically increases the risk of both heart attack and stroke. And if you have pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome (also called syndrome X), you’re on the road to significant complications if you don’t address these nutrient losses with high-dose, targeted supplements for diabetes.

Folks, it’s not complicated. If you were to give a healthy person an osmotic diuretic every day and did not replace nutrients, you would produce the same complications suffered by those living with diabetes and related conditions.

Let’s examine some of these losses and what they mean for you.

Magnesium. Excessive urination washes out magnesium. Low magnesium levels are present in 25 percent of those with diabetes, and even those with levels considered to be “high” don’t reach the average levels of those without blood sugar concerns.

Magnesium is involved in glucose transfer across cell membranes and improves insulin sensitivity and glucose control. When magnesium goes down, glucose control deteriorates. That’s because magnesium is essential to normal carbohydrate metabolism.

Low magnesium levels are associated with the diabetic retinopathy. Said another way, if you have diabetes and you have very low magnesium, you are at the greatest risk of going blind. Low magnesium levels are also connected to high blood pressure and heart disease. Now, shouldn’t everyone living with diabetes be taking magnesium supplements to reduce or completely avoid such devastating complications?

Zinc is another water-soluble nutrient that is flushed from the body, and as a result, diabetes produces low zinc levels. This complication can impair the immune system, particularly T-cell function, which could lead to more infections and non-healing ulcers. Zinc deficiency also can cause hair loss as well as diarrhea, which triggers further nutrient losses still. All together now, shouldn’t everyone with diabetes be taking zinc supplements?

B-complex vitamins. B6, B12, and folic acid are also water-soluble and vulnerable to loss via excessive urination from diabetes. This leads to increased homocysteine levels and dramatically increased risk of heart disease.

Low levels of B6 can cause glucose intolerance, depression, cracked lips, and dry skin. A B12 deficiency may exhibit no obvious symptoms at first, but over time can produce mental disturbances, anemia, and impaired nerve function. A lack of folic acid may bring on depression, forgetfulness, insomnia, irritability, and fatigue. Repeat after me. Shouldn’t everyone living with diabetes be taking supplemental B vitamins?

Diabetes complications are as frightening as the disease itself--which is growing exponentially in this country. Given these facts, you’d think the most basic aspects of this illness would at least be understood, if not one of the primary focuses of treatment. Sadly, this isn’t happening.

It’s up to us. I’ll keep spreading the word. And if you have diabetes, you owe it to yourself to get on a high-dose supplement program as soon as possible, with a particular emphasis on these water soluble nutrients.

Studies Show Natural Remedies Target Cholesterol in People With Type 2 Diabetes

Friday, August 28, 2009 by Tom Callahan

Two new studies show that increasing your dietary intake of vitamin D and soy protein can have significant cholesterol benefits for people looking to manage the risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes brings with it a host of dangers, including increased risk of heart attack and stroke, so Dr. Whitaker is always on the lookout for natural remedies proven to work for those with blood sugar concerns, especially when the solutions are not only safe, but inexpensive too. This new research suggests that simple, low cost additions to your diet are a recipe for delivering powerful benefits for managing diabetes naturally.

In the first study, adults with type 2 diabetes were able to significantly lower LDL cholesterol and improve the ratio of LDL-to-HDL cholesterol in less than two months. Despite some controversy over the use of soy, the link between soy and heart health is well established. Dr. Whitaker has often written of soy as a "superfood" with far-reaching benefits throughout your body. He recommends 25 grams a day, a few times per week.

However, until further research is conducted, Dr. Whitaker cautions those with thyroid disease or breast cancer to steer clear of soy, as preliminary studies have indicated some areas of concern.

The focus of this second study has no such caveats, and whether you have high cholesterol, diabetes, metabolic syndrome or any combination, this recommendation is among Dr. Whitaker's strongest: increase your intake of vitamin D.

In addition to a host of bone health and immunity boosting qualities, vitamin D may curb the build-up of cholesterol within your blood vessels, by "inhibiting the uptake of cholesterol by cells called macrophages," says Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi, MD, lead researcher. "When people are deficient in vitamin D, the macrophages eat more cholesterol, and they can't get rid of it."

This clogging of the macrophages starts the process of atherosclerosis, one of the complications of diabetes, and one which may be averted with adequate levels of vitamin D through supplements.

The researchers will continue their study on vitamin D deficiencies, diabetes and blood pressure health, to learn whether increased intake of D is a natural way to lower blood pressure and increase blood flow.

Low levels of vitamin D have also recently been linked to metabolic syndrome, a condition characterized by blood sugar concerns, excess weight, and multiple cardiovascular risk factors.

It's clear that whether you have diabetes or not, vitamin D should be part of your supplement regimen. And if you're looking to actually prevent diabetes, as Dr. Whitaker has said, then the direct connection between vitamin D and diabetes cannot be ignored either.

Control Blood Sugar, Save 200,000 Lives a Year

Friday, July 10, 2009 by Tom Callahan

Harvard University researchers recently looked at a dozen lifestyle and metabolic factors that impact the health and longevity of Americans, and while the top four are fairly obvious, moving up fast and checking in at Number 5 (with a bullet) is high blood glucose.

Failing to control blood sugar, or maintain healthy blood glucose levels, is more dangerous than high cholesterol, excessive salt intake, high trans fats, alcohol, and a diet deficient in fruits and vegetables.

Researchers speculate that between 163,000 and 217,000 high blood glucose-related deaths could have been avoided in the year 2005 alone, and certainly that number has only gone up as diabetes, pre-diabetes and other related conditions only gain increased traction in America.

Smoking ranked as the deadliest risk factor, responsible for up to a half-million annual, preventable deaths, followed by high blood pressure, obesity, and lack of exercise.

The message is clear. Type 2 diabetes is not only deadly, but preventable. You can absolutely maintain blood sugar naturally, with targeted nutritional support, a sound diet, and moderate exercise.

Follow Dr. Whitaker's plan, and you'll also avoid numbers 2-4 on the Killer Top 5 list as well.

That leaves only #1. And you're not still smoking, are you? ARE YOU?

Metabolic Syndrome Risk Cut in Half with Antioxidants

Friday, June 19, 2009 by Tom Callahan

Here's a simple recipe for preventing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease: pour glass of tomato juice. Drink. Repeat.

Metabolic Syndrome -- which for many is the first step towards obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease -- may be prevented by upping your antioxidant carotenoid levels, according to a recent study from the University Medical Center Ulrecht in The Netherlands.

In the study published in the Journal of Nutrition, Dutch scientists report that those with the highest carotenoid levels had a 58 percent decreased incidence of Metabolic Syndrome, drastically reducing their future risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Higher levels of carotenoids, including beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin, were associated with smaller waist size and less body fat, as well as lower triglyceride levels. Waist size above 40" in men (35" in women) and increased triglyceride levels are two major signs and symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome.

The highest levels of protection seem to come from lycopene and beta-carotene, with lycopene in particular associated with a 45 percent lower incidence of the syndrome.

Clearly if you're looking for a new diabetes treatment or a simple lifestyle change for better health, getting more lycopene in your diet is a healthy place to start. Lycopene, which is abundant in tomato juice and widely available in supplement form, not only lowers your risk of diabetes, heart attack and diseases of the prostate, lung, colon, stomach, and pancreas, but studies have also found it can significantly decrease exercise-induced asthma too.

Metabolic Syndrome is particularly dangerous because so many have it and don't even realize it. As many as 75 million Americans have the risk factors associated with Metabolic Syndrome (also known as "Syndrome X") which include low HDL cholesterol, high fasting blood glucose levels and blood pressure above 135/85.

Taking steps to manage blood sugar and reduce weight can not only prevent Metabolic Syndrome, but the more serious Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems that so often follow behind it.

Who knew that an alternative treatment for diabetes could be as close as your next V-8? Just make it the low sodium variety, please.