Holistic Health Guest Article – Diabetic Neuropathy and Diabetic
Retinopathy
Over 18 million people in the United States have diabetes with 13 million already diagnosed and 5 million
unaware that they have the disease.
Let’s examine two of the long-term complications – Neuropathy and Retinopathy.
Diabetic Neuropathy – Diabetic Retinopathy
Did you know diabetes is the fastest growing health problem in the United States and did you know more of
you are at risk than ever before?
Lets examine two complications which are all too common in diabetes. These include Neuropathy (nerve diseases)
and Retinopathy (eye diseases).
Approximately 60% of people with diabetes will eventually develop neuropathy. Neuropathy first involves loss
of sensation in hands and feet. This nerve disease is characterized by tingling sensations, numbness, loss
of function and burning pain. Now look at this. Retinopathy of diabetes is a serious eye disease involving
the retina. the collection of light sensitive cells lining the back half of each eye. Diabetic retinopathy
is the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. for people between ages 20 and 64.
The brighter side. no matter what your family history or risk factors, diabetes is not inevitable. Remember
this take home message:
- Any effective approach for diabetes must be integrated (you can’t just take pills and not change your
diet). - In other words diabetes requires multiple therapies, medical, nutritional and lifestyle changes.
- Make your doctor aware of all nutritional supplements, homeopathics and herbals you currently take to
avoid any negative interactions with any prescription medications.
Find Relief from Nerve Damage – Neuropathy
Neuropathy is damage to the peripheral nervous system, which carries information to and from the brain and
spinal cord. The damage is distinguished by inability to control muscles, pain, and loss of sensation (most
frequently occurring in the feet and legs). Neuropathy is a common occurrence among 50% of individuals who
have had diabetes for more than 25 years. This condition is caused by imbalanced blood sugar levels and can
damage many parts of the body such as the heart, eyes, kidneys and blood vessels that bring oxygen to the
nerves. The damaged nerves may send messages too slow or at wrong times.
The nerves leading to the feet are the longest in our body and the ones most affected by neuropathy. Doctors
estimate more than 50% of foot amputations caused by neuropathy and poor circulation could be avoided with
proper care.
Other complications caused by neuropathy include:
- Gastrointestinal problems such as gastroparesis (belching, nausea, or vomiting)
- Urinary problems such as incontinence and infections
- Sexual problems such as vaginal dryness and erectile dysfunction
- Eye problems that effect the pupils and retina that can lead to blindness
The good news is that you don’t have to succumb to complications associated with imbalanced blood sugar levels.
There are many things you can do to prevent such problems. Start by altering your diet. A diet rich in complex
carbohydrates and fiber, such as whole grains, legumes, and vegetables, reduces the need for insulin by slowing
and controlling the release of glucose into the bloodstream.
Avoid simple carbohydrates such as fruit juices, highly processed foods and foods containing refined sugar.
These foods raise blood sugar levels rapidly thereby spiking the insulin levels in the body. Also take Vaxa’s Diabin+,
a homeopathic medicinal formulated to provide extra nutritional support for maintaining appropriate blood
sugar levels within the circulatory system.
There are certain nutrients required by the body for glucose metabolism specifically chromium, Zinc, B-Complex
vitamins and Vitamin C. According to Evan Shute, M.D., co-founder of Canada’s Shute Foundation for Medical
Research, Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that has a significant anti-clotting effect, which is an important
part of preventing vascular complications such as damage to the eyes and kidneys, common among diabetics.
Omega-3 fatty acid has been shown to decrease insulin resistance and vascular complications in diabetics.
Linoleic acid, which is a form of omega-6 fatty acid has shown to reduce neuropathy, as long a proper balance
between omega-3 and omega-6 is taken. Vaxa’s homeopathic medicinal Omegacin+ offers
a proper balance of omega-3-6-9 fatty acids and essential lipids, plus phytosterols and antioxidants.
Studies have indicated magnesium and potassium deficiencies cause glucose intolerance, which contributes to
nerve and organ damage. Magnesium reduces the amount of lipid or fat found in the blood and also acts as
a vasodilator to prevent retinopathy and atherosclerosis. Herbal medicines such as fenugreek, garlic, and
ginseng have proven to have hypoglycemic properties that offer help with managing non-insulin dependent diabetes,
according to David L. Hoffman, B.Sc. former President of the American Herbalists Guild. Vaxa’s
Diabin+ contains the ingredients mentioned above and several other ingredients to naturally help control
diabetes.
As we have learned neuropathy affects nerves throughout the body and can cause many different health problems.
While under a physician’s care for a variety of neurological dysfunctions (not just neuropathy), the complement
use of Vaxa’s Neuran may provide additional nutritional support. Vaxa’s Neuran is
a scientifically advanced neurological homeopathic medicinal that has been specifically designed to support
nutritive and neurobiochemical imbalances known to occur within the body’s Nervous System.
Avoid the Leading Cause of Legal Blindness – Learn About Retinopathy
Retinopathy is a potentially blinding disease that affects half of the American diabetic population. It is
also the leading cause of new cases of legal blindness among working-age Americans. Diabetic retinopathy
is caused by damage to the blood vessels located in the retina. The retina is light sensitive tissue at the
back of the eye, which changes light into nerve signals that are sent along the optic nerve to the brain.
The eye cannot communicate with the brain without the retina, making vision virtually impossible.
Both people with type I and type II diabetes are at risk. Diabetic retinopathy could also occur in pregnant
females with gestational diabetes.
Retinopathy can be detected during the following exams:
- Visual acuity test: this test measures how well you see at various distances.
- Pupil dilation: a test in which the pupils are widened to look for signs of retinopathy.
- Ophthalmoscopy: a test in which the retina is looked at through a magnifying lens.
- Tonometry: a standard test that determines the fluid pressure inside the eye.
There are a few procedures that are effective in reducing the chances of this type of blindness. In fact these
treatments are so effective that if caught before severe damage to the retina, there is a 90% chance of maintaining
vision. Laser surgery is usually used to treat severe macular edema and retinopathy.
Researchers in California have found that the deterioration of the macular at the back of the retina, was
correlated to low glutathione levels (British Journal of Ophthalmology, 94; 78 [10], 791-4). When taking
into consideration other variables such as smoking, age, cardiovascular disease and multivitamin use, depletion
of glutathione by itself was thought to be a major contributing factor behind macular degeneration.
Compounds such as selenium – a potent antioxidant and precursor of glutathione – Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and
zinc, manganese and magnesium are all important in eye maintenance. Vaxa’s homeopathic medicinal Ocu-Care+ has
all of the compounds mentioned above along with lutein (the #1 eye care ingredient) and is designed to give
eyes the support they need in order to protect against poor vision and eye problems.
There are currently research studies being conducted on both patients and lab animals to learn more about
diabetic retinopathy. The best way to prevent this disease is by maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Take
Vaxa’s homeopathic medicinal Diabin+ formulated to provide extra nutritional support
for maintaining appropriate blood sugar levels within the circulatory system. Changes in your diet and nutrition
can significantly decrease diabetes related complications. Protect yourself from diabetic retinopathy by
getting an eye checkup at least once a year.
Guest Articles from Dr. Stan Headly
More information on this can be found in our free online health magazine.
Additional Diabetic Supplements
Diabetic Sweeteners: “Stevia leaf is a natural product that has been used
for at least 400 years as a food product, principally as a sweetener or other flavoring agent. None of this
common usage in foods has indicated any evidence of a safety problem. There are no reports of any government
agency in any of the above countries indicating any public health concern whatsoever in connection with the
use of stevia in foods.” Gras affirmation petition submitted on behalf of the American Herbal Products
Association, April 23, 1992.
