Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the pancreas fails to secrete sufficient insulin or the bodys decreased ability to use insulin. Diabetes mellitus is Greek for a passing through of sweetness which refers to the passing of sugar rich urine, a characteristic of the disease. It is a very serious disorder, sometimes fatal and is the leading cause of death in Western society because of its damage to the cardiovascular system.

In a healthy body food is digested to release glucose into the blood. This causes beta cells in the pancreas to release insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin helps in the transportation of glucose from the blood to the liver and muscle cells. This can then be released later into the blood for metabolism. If the pancreas fails to produce sufficient amounts of insulin or if there is insulin resistance then diabetes will set in.

There are two types of diabetes, Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) also known as juvenile-onset diabetes, type 1 diabetes and Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) also known as maturity-onset diabetes, type 2 diabetes. Both environmental and genetic factors contribute to both forms of diabetes mellitus but the exact cause of diabetes mellitus is unknown. In both types, excess sugar in the blood known as hyperglycemia needs to be removed by the kidneys. Excessive thirst, frequent urination and hunger are the symptoms.

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) also known as maturity-onset diabetes, type 2 because it typically occurs in obese people over 35 years of age, although some obese children have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes due to lack of exercise and poor diet. The clinical symptoms of NIDDM are mild, and the high glucose levels can be controlled by exercise, weight loss, diet and sometimes a drug like glyburide (DiaBeta) is used to stimulate the pancreatic beta cells to produce insulin. Some type 2 diabetics have sufficient amounts of insulin in the blood and diabetes happens not because of shortage of insulin but because cells become desensitized due to down-regulation of insulin receptors. Ketosis rarely develops in NIDDM.

Eating foods containing carbohydrates such as rice, potatoes, bread and cereals will raise blood sugar and insulin levels. This sugar raising effect of a food is called the glycaemic index and it measure how quickly the carbohydrate is absorbed by the body. Individuals whose diet consists of a high amount of sugary foods and foods with high glycaemic index are more prone to develop type 2 diabetes. Those whose diet consists of a high amount of foods which have a low glycaemic index are at low risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Typical foods with a low glycaemic index are oats, fruit, beans and peas. To prevent or control type 2 diabetes it is best to avoid processed and snack foods which are typically high in sugar and eat high fibre whole foods such as oats, fruits, vegetables and seeds which have a low glycaemic index, regular exercise to reduce excess weight is also very important. Taking high fibre supplements such as psyllium, guar gum, oat bran, pectin, glucomannan and fenugreek seeds has shown to be beneficial to those suffering from type 2 diabetes. Stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol will be beneficial to the diabetic.

The following supplements may help if you are suffering from Type 2 Diabetes.

Alpha lipoic acid

Biotin

Brewers yeast

Chromium

Coenzyme Q10

Evening primrose oil

Fenugreek (seeds)

Fibre

Fish oil (EPA/DHA)

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS)

Glucomannan

Inositol

L-carnitine

Magnesium

Manganese

Medium-chain triglycerides

Multivitamins and minerals

Psyllium

Quercetin

Starch blockers

Taurine

Vanadium

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B3 (niacin)

Vitamin B6

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Vitamin E

Zinc