Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a disease of poor blood sugar control. It can be due to insufficient insulin levels, insufficient hormone productions, or a decrease in number and affinity of insulin receptors. The end result is reduced clearance of glucose from the blood, or a decreased uptake of glucose by muscle and fat cells. In this case blood sugar may rise until the renal threshold is exceeded and glucose appears in the urine. Metabolic problems also arise with diabetes. Fat stores are mobilized and the liver is flooded with the by-products of fat-breakdown. These fat break-down products are converted to glucose which further compounds the blood sugar problem.

Symptoms and complications of diabetes are dependant on the severity and duration of diabetes, but include: cataracts, neuropathy and blindness. Diabetics also often have kidney and the hormone insulin reverses many of these pathological metabolic irregularities. In most cases insulin can be replaced by injections.

Vitamin E improves insulin sensitivity and the utilisation of glucose and there are several other key nutrients that can support the prevention of long-term complications, dependant on the individual.

Juvenile diabetes and gestational diabetes (onset whilst pregnant) are two other types of diabetes.