How to Prevent and Treat Diabetes with Natural Medicine

Alternative Medicine Review, June, 2004 by Kathleen A. Head

How to Prevent and Treat Diabetes with Natural Medicine Michael T. Murray, ND, and Michael Lyon, MD Riverhead Books; 375 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014; 212-366-2564 ISBN 1-57322-259-3; Hardcover; $25.95; 362 pages

Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions over the last decade with an estimated 17-18 million Americans currently suffering from it--a large fraction from type 2 diabetes. Drs. Murray and Lyon combine their expertise in nutritional medicine and diabetes, respectively, to yield an excellent reference book for both practitioners and people with diabetes.

How to Prevent and Treat Diabetes with Natural Medicine individually addresses prevention and treatment of types 1 and 2 diabetes, since in many ways they are very different diseases. Discussion of nutrients and botanicals is subdivided by their mechanisms of action. For example, in the type 1 diabetes section, the effects of nutrients and botanical on beta-cell regeneration, enhancement of insulin, and reduction of postprandial blood sugar are explored.

Due to the national epidemic of type 2 diabetes, now affecting even children, a large section of the book is dedicated to assessing risk factors and outlining prevention strategies. In the section on natural therapies for treatment of type 2 diabetes is an in-depth discussion of interesting research from the University of Toronto on novel dietary fibers. This highly viscous, soluble fiber product has been found to significantly reduce postprandial glucose levels, increase insulin sensitivity, lower cholesterol, and decrease blood pressure. In addition, it is a useful tool for appetite control and weight loss.

In addition to a discussion of the natural products that may help prevent or treat the disease itself, nutrients and botanicals indicated for treatment of complications associated with high blood sugar--such as nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, and heart disease--are explored. Nutritional supplement plans for people with diabetes are outlined based on type of diabetes, complications experienced, etc.

The appendices are replete with valuable reference information. Because diet is a central aspect of controlling blood sugar, daily menus, recipes, and shopping lists are provided. Also included is a table of common foods, with carbohydrate and fiber content, glycemic index, and glycemic load (determined by multiplying the glycemic index as a decimal--e.g., glycemic index of 75 would be 0.75--by the number of carbohydrate grams per serving).

Having written several books on diabetes, I first approached this book thinking I might not learn anything new, but I was happily proven wrong. This effort by Murray and Lyon is an invaluable tool for both practitioners and lay people alike.