QandA

TYPE 2 DIABETES

I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I know that I need to lose weight, but what herbs, supplements and dietary changes do you suggest?
J.B.
Dearborn, Michigan

Stansbury responds: Losing weight and getting plenty of exercise will indeed help your blood sugar levels. General dietary recommendations include limiting sugar, sweet juices and pastries, as well as limiting all bread and grain products which are rapidly metabolized to sugar. Avoid rice, bagels, cereals, potatoes, pasta and the like, favoring the starch of beans, colorful vegetables and nuts whenever possible. Eat daily large, fresh salads, vegetable soups, steamed veggies, baked squash and bean dishes. Legumes are not only a starch substitute, but an excellent source of protein, so diabetics should eat them instead of refined carbohydrates. Legumes also are high in saponins, which are known to improve glucose regulation.

I also encourage the liberal use of spices, such as garlic (Allium sativum), onions (Allium cepa), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and cayenne (Capsicum annuum). The sulfur components of garlic have an insulin-like action and improve elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. This helps regulate blood glucose and protects blood vessels. One of the major long-term concerns with diabetes, blood-vessel damage can lead to eye, kidney and peripheral circulatory damage.

Cayenne and ginger also will help with elevated blood fats and protect blood vessels, as will the blue and purple pigments in blueberries, grapes, beets, blackberries and raspberries.

Another herb to consider as a food and a supplement is fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). Fenugreek seeds contain a constituent known as trigonelline, which is thought responsible for at least some of fenugreek’s action on reducing hyperglycemia. Fenugreek also contains several other compounds shown in animal and human studies to reduce blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides. Fenugreek seeds can be sprouted and eaten, ground into powder and used in cooking or consumed as pills or tincture.

Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) and other plants containing essential fatty acids may help reduce blood lipids in diabetics as well as reduce neuropathy by improving blood flow to the nerves. Essential fatty acids also may reduce blood pressure and help protect the heart and blood vessels.

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) acts as a heart and cerebrovascular tonic, among myriad other benefits. American ginseng is an antioxidant and may help protect the tissues from oxidative damage.

Willard responds: Type 2 diabetes (insulin-resistant or adult-onset diabetes) is speedily becoming one of the most prominent diseases in North America. It is almost always a disease of poor lifestyle choices, and it can usually be turned around quickly with dramatic lifestyle changes and herbal and nutritional supplementation.

The most important thing to do is reduce the consumption of carbohydrates or foods that rapidly turn into glucose and raise the blood sugar levels. The rate at which a food turns into glucose is expressed as the glycemic index (GI). You can find a GI list from your health-care provider or on the Internet. High-GI foods raise blood sugar, stress the pancreas and produce fat even faster than simple sugar.

Several herbs and nutritional supplements also can help. In addition to the information Stansbury provided above, the following are ones I have found most beneficial:

Alpha lipoic acid helps burn glucose, converting it to energy. It also works as a strong antioxidant, protecting the body against free radicals. It has been shown to be effective in treating diabetes. Alpha lipoic acid lowers glucose and insulin levels, while reducing insulin resistance. Dosage: 200 mg twice daily.

Chromium is by far the most important mineral to prevent insulin resistance. This is very important because 90 percent of North Americans don’t receive enough chromium in their diet. Chromium helps insulin function more efficiently. Responsible for glucose tolerance factor, chromium will reduce radical changes related to both diabetes and hypoglycemia. Chromium has been used in the last several years to encourage weight loss, reduce blood lipids and lower blood pressure.

Devil’s club (Oplopanax horridus) is specific for type 2 diabetes. One of the most useful things we have noticed in the clinic is its ability to stop the lust for sweets and binge eating. We have found this very beneficial for diet management in weight-loss clients. Devil’s club also helps reduce general stress (mind or body) and gives a person a feeling of well-being. Dosage: 40 drops of tincture, twice daily.

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) has been used for centuries in Asia for blood sugar-related problems. It has been shown to lower blood glucose levels in diabetics by improving the utilization of the glucose, not by increasing insulin. Dosage: consumed as food, or take 500 mg of concentrate daily.

Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) also has been used for centuries to reduce blood-sugar levels. It does this by increasing the efficiency of insulin. Other research says that gymnema promotes the regeneration of the pancreatic beta cells, which produce insulin. Dosage: 300 to 500 mg, twice daily.

HELP WITH HPV

I was recently diagnosed with cervical dysplasia, which I attained through the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV). I will be having surgery next month to remove the growth from my cervix. However, my doctor has advised me that there is no cure for HPV, and that I will more than likely have recurrences where I’ll need to repeat the surgery. I was wondering if there are any herbs or supplements to help ensure that the virus becomes dormant.
T.M.
Brooklyn, New York

Stansbury responds: There are more than 60 types of HPV; some infect the skin, causing common warts, and around one-third of the HPV types may be spread sexually and cause venereal warts. Some types of HPV may infect the cervix and be associated with an increased risk of reproductive cancer. Because of this, HPV is best treated aggressively and followed with frequent Pap smears to check for possible recurrences.

The propensity to develop cervical dysplasia from such viruses may be more likely in women who smoke or whose diets are low in B vitamins or antioxidant nutrients, which easily are added to the diet. A further risk appears to occur in those with multiple sexual partners. I advise checking vaginal pH, taking probiotics (such as acidophilus and lactobacillus) and treating any other obvious pathogens, such as yeast.

Do you frequently have other viruses, such as sore throats, frequent colds or flus? If so, supporting your immune system with astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), echinacea (Echinacea spp.), American ginseng or garlic also may be helpful. Is the HPV associated with any vaginal discharge, frequent itching, bladder problems or history of abnormal Pap smears? If so, a problem with the health of the genitourinary membranes may be involved, and using sitz baths with calendula (Calendula officinalis), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) and oak bark (Quercus spp.), plus reducing sugar intake and improving the diet, can help.

If constipation, hemorrhoids, uterine fibroids or menstrual problems accompany, the pelvic tissues and blood vessels may be “stagnant” or congested and supportive to viruses in the local mucous membranes. If so, exercise to support your circulation, and consider blood-moving herbs, such as dong quai (Angelica sinensis), or liver herbs, such as dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and Oregon grape.

In addition to the B and antioxidant vitamins mentioned above, vitamin C, zinc and lysine are among the common nutrients noted to have antiviral activity and deter the recurrence of chronic viruses. Optimizing your diet and supplementing with these nutrients may help prevent a recurrence.

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) preparations also have been shown to possess antiviral activity. Licorice is widely used in herbal medicine — its actions are numerous and diverse, including anti-inflammatory, immune-enhancing and hormonal balancing. Make licorice tea by boiling 1 teaspoon of the shredded root per cup of water for 5 to 10 minutes; strain and drink.

Jill Stansbury has been a naturopathic physician for more than 12 years, with a private practice in Battleground, Washington. She is the chair of the Botanical Medicine Department at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, and the author of many books, including Herbs for Health and Healing (Publication International, 1997).

Terry Willard is a clinical herbalist, president of the Canadian Association of Herbal Practitioners and founder of the Wild Rose College of Natural Healing in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is the author of eight books and a CD-ROM, Interactive Herbal.

Willard responds: A lot of people are coming to the clinic with this issue lately. The first, and one of the most important things to note about HPV, is that you are not alone. HPV is very common and many people have contracted this virus. There are more cases of genital HPV infection than any other sexually transmitted disease in the United States. At least 20 million people in this country are already infected. This is not to make light of HPV. Finding and treating tissue infected with this virus can prevent cervical cancer.

HPV causes two kinds of abnormal tissue: condyloma (warts) and dysplasia (precancer). In your case it’s dysplasia — abnormal cells on the surface of the skin. Dysplasia is not cancer, but may turn into cancer over a period of years if it’s not treated. Treatment gets rid of dysplasia so that the tissue cannot turn into cancer. Most HPV infections do not progress to cervical cancer. Abnormal cervical cells can be detected by a Pap test and regular pelvic exams; therefore, it’s very important to get regular examinations.

One of the most important lifestyle choices with dysplasia is to abstain from smoking, as smoking has been linked to an increased risk of dysplasia turning cancerous.

Once HPV has been diagnosed, one of the first steps is to remove or reduce the warts and dysplasia. It looks like you already have a plan for this. But as stated by your doctor, this is not a cure. Most authorities agree you cannot rid the body of the virus and thus the recurrence of the associated warts may occur in the future. If they do return, there are several alternatives to surgery. Medically, freezing (cryosurgery), burning (electrocautery) and laser treatment have all been used to remove smaller warts.

Medical and naturopathic doctors often apply a 20 percent podophyllin solution or podofilox (0.5 percent solution) to the affected areas. If you are pregnant, you should not use podophyllin or podofilox.

Orally, you can try homeopathic thuja (30 x strength) to reduce the warts. Add to this immune-building herbs — such as echinacea, astragalus, and shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) mushrooms — and vitamin C (1 to 3 grams), beta-carotene (25,000 to 100,000 I.U.), folic acid (1 to 10 grams) and zinc (30 to 50 mg).

The lifestyle changes that should be employed to help prevent warts/dysplasia from recurring are similar to any healthy immune program. Eliminate sugar, refined carbohydrates, excessive red meats and processed foods from the diet.

Most dietary studies have found that women consuming high amounts of nutrients from fruits and vegetables have less risk of cervical dysplasia. Protective effects may be especially strong from diets high in dark yellow/orange vegetables (carrots, winter squash, etc.) and tomatoes. High blood levels of folate (the food form of folic acid) have been linked to protection against the development of cervical dysplasia.

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