Diabetes - looking beyond the traditional

It’s a daily routine; keep your car’s tank filled with gas, hop in, and prepare to head out. There’s only one problem. You forgot to bring your keys.

By Judy Stafford

That’s what life is like for a person with diabetes. Our bodies use glucose, which is a type of sugar, to fuel our engines. We manufacture glucose from the foods we eat, sending it through our bloodstream, where every cell uses it. However, without the right key – insulin – cells can’t start, the glucose just sits there and the trouble begins.

Must do
Exercise, diet, and weight control are effective in improving glucose stability. A recent study of people at high risk for diabetes showed that moderate diet and exercise resulting in a 5 to 7% weight loss can delay and possibly prevent Type 2 diabetes. The participants were overweight and had higher than normal levels of blood glucose, a condition called pre-diabetes. Both pre-diabetes and obesity are strong risk factors for Type 2 diabetes. The test included a healthy eating and exercise program, usually walking. The results concluded that these people reduced their risk of acquiring Type 2 diabetes by 58%. Average weight loss in the first year of the study was 15 pounds. Lifestyle modification was even more effective in those 60 and older; they reduced their risk by 71%.

More choices to health
The Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, suggests the following 10 complementary medicine modalities to assist in treating disease in conjunction with traditional medical therapies. The techniques listed include some of the benefits for prevention, or relief of some diabetic symptoms.

Acupuncture a technique of inserting and manipulating needles into specific points along the meridians on the body to restore health.  Benefits: Scientific studies and clinical tests in international research centres have shown that acupuncture can help lower blood glucose content; lower the release of pancreatic hormones; alleviate the urge to eat too much, decrease excessive thirst and passing of urine; and improve circulation.

Guided imagery also known as visualization, involves bringing an image into your mind, such as a beach, the sunshine or any other scene or image that is calming for you.  Benefits: A recent study proved that people who listened to guided imagery tapes daily were more comfortable and less anxious during the day compared to those who did not. This process allows a person to escape their daily tensions and once relaxed they are able to determine the causes of increased tension and/or their blood sugar fluctuations.

Hypnosis a state of deep relaxation or focused attention with a hypnotherapist or an instructional audio (self-hypnosis). Verbal suggestions are made to relieve anxiety, pain, tension headaches and insomnia.  Benefits: Through hypnosis, people can be motivated to eat healthier, and exercise more, both assisting in reducing the risks of diabetes.

Massage a manual technique that applies pressure, motion or vibration to the soft tissues of the body, including the muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligament, joints, lymphatic vessels, and organs.  Benefits: A recent study found that massage could strengthen the immune system by increasing the levels of disease fighting cells. It also improves circulation, which is critical for people with diabetes. Massage also induces the relaxation response, which controls the counter-regulatory stress hormones, permitting the body to use insulin more effectively.

Meditation focuses on breathing and can include repeating a word or a phrase, otherwise known as a mantra. Benefits: An analysis of 20 studies found that meditation helped patients cope better with anxiety. Stress is known to make controlling diabetes more difficult, relaxation has been shown to be especially beneficial.

Music therapy has become a popular form of complementary therapy. It is one of the therapies that The Mayo Clinic suggests you can use ‘on your own’. Music acts on the mind before being transformed into thought and feeling. Music therapy stimulates good vibrations in the nervous system and brings out a sense of mental well being.  Benefits: Patients who received music therapy experienced less anxiety, a recent study found. Stress leads to many adverse physiological problems and can negatively affect the functions of one or more organs, either temporarily or permanently. The study found that classical music can help normalize blood sugar levels in a subtle manner.

Spinal manipulation performed by trained professionals including chiropractors, osteopaths and physical therapists. Benefits: A study published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research detailed patients’ glucose, blood and urine levels normalizing and remaining stable after one month of chiropractic care and nutritional and exercise guidance.

Spirituality includes prayer, faith in a higher being, deep appreciation of nature or art, as well as participation in a non-secular community.  Benefits: In 16 studies of religious observation, (praying and religious services), researchers found that spirituality increases immune function and reduces anxiety and can decrease the length of hospital stays.

Tai Chi a gentle exercise derived from Chinese martial arts. It involves a series of postures and movements performed slowly and gracefully.  Benefits: Many scientific studies have shown that Tai Chi can assist in the prevention of diabetes. The focus on relaxation improves cellular uptakes and glucose metabolism. Tai Chi is known to reduce stress and improve relaxation.

Yoga involves a series of stretching and breathing exercises, said to help the body and the mind.  Benefits: A study out of New Delhi, India, found that 98 people with diabetes practicing yoga breathe tecniques, and asanas or postures, showed a significant improvement in total blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Taking charge of your life allows many options of decreasing your chances of acquiring diabetes. Exercising regularly, watching your fat and caloric intake and maintaining your proper weight, all help to reduce your risk. If you already have diabetes and feel overwhelmed, instead of letting it control you, take control of it. Investigate complementary treatments, and make the lifestyle changes to create a balanced, healthier and happier life for yourself.

H&L