Michael T. Murray, ND is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on natural medicine. He is a graduate and faculty member of Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington, and also serves there on the Board of Trustees. Dr. Murray is an accomplished writer, educator and lecturer. He is the author of over 20 books, including co-author of How to Prevent and Treat Cancer with Natural Medicine and How to Prevent and Treat Diabetes with Natural Medicine is the Director of Product Development and Education for Natural Factors.

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder characterized by elevations in blood sugar levels. There are two major categories: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is associated with complete destruction of the cells in the pancreas that manufacture insulin.Individuals with Type 1 diabetes will require lifelong insulin for the control of blood sugar levels. In Type 2 diabetes insulin levels are typically elevated indicating a loss of sensitivity to insulin by the cells of the body. More than 90% of the 17 million American with diabetes have Type 2. Diabetes is a serious disease because it is associated with an increased risk of life- threatening complications such as a heart attack, stroke,or kidney disease. Overall, the risk for death among people with diabetes for these catastrophic complications is about 4 times that of people without diabetes.In addition to an earlier death,diabetes carries with it significant risks for serious complications such as blindness,the need for dialysis,and limb amputation.

Can natural medicine help people with diabetes? Absolutely, in fact the most effective treatment of diabetes and other blood sugar problems requires the utilization of key lifestyle, dietary, and nutritional supplement strategies. When used properly, the natural medicine approach to diabetes can:

• Significantly reduce the risk for developing diabetes – even if many of your family members or ancestors are or were diabetic.

• Possibly reverse Type 2 diabetes.

• Improve the sensitivity of cells to the action of insulin thereby improving glucose tolerance and normalizing blood sugar.

• Promote weight loss and slow down or block the absorption of sugar from the intestinal tract.

• Effectively reduce the complication

• Improve the actions of drugs and insulin while at the same time reducing their side effects.

What specific natural products do you recommend to help improve blood sugar control? Along with Dr. Lyon and Natural Factors, I have created the WellBet XTM product line - a family of nutritional and herbal products designed to address special nutritional needs of people with diabetes. The WellBetX products are designed to be used in conjunction with proper dietary, lifestyle, and medical treatment of diabetes. WellBetX is not designed to “treat” diabetes, instead it is designed to support the proper utilization of blood glucose and insulin as well as deal with some of the nutritional challenges and deficiencies that many diabetics suffer from. The various WellBetX products are designed to impact one or all of the following goals:

1. Reduce after meal elevations in blood sugar levels.

2. Provide optimal nutrient status.

3. Improve insulin function and sensitivity.

4. Prevent nutritional and oxidative stress.

What herbal extracts have been shown to be useful in diabetes? The two most active herbal extracts are Gymnema sylvestre and Bitter Melon. Gymnema extracts have been shown to enhance glucose control presumably through helping to increase the production or activity of insulin. 3 Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) on the other hand has been shown to contain an insulin-like substance that promotes improved blood sugar control. Four other herbal extracts useful are American Ginseng, Fenugreek, Milk Thistle, and Yacon Leaf.

What is Alpha-Lipoic Acid and why is it important for diabetics? One of the critical goals in nutritionally supporting individuals with diabetes is to flood the body with a high level of antioxidant compounds to counteract the negative effects of free radicals and pro-oxidants. In addition to taking a high potency multiple it is important to take additional Vitamin E (400 to 800 IU) and 400 to 600 mg of Alpha-lipoic acid - a vitamin-like substance that is often described as “nature’s perfect antioxidant.” Unlike Vitamin E which is primarily fat-soluble and Vitamin C which is water soluble, alpha-lipoic acid can quench either water or fat soluble free radicals both inside the cell and outside in the intra-cellular spaces. Alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to lead to an improvement in blood sugar metabolism, improves blood flow to peripheral nerves, and actually stimulates the regeneration of nerve fibers.

Final Comments: Knowledge and awareness are the greatest allies for people with diabetes. An individual with diabetes who makes a strong commitment to learning about their condition and who accepts the lead role in a carefully supervised blood sugar monitoring program greatly improves the likelihood that they will lead a long and healthy life. On the other hand, individuals who remain ignorant about their disease and who refuse to undergo regular testing or self monitoring are far more likely to face years of unnecessary suffering and, more often than not, catastrophic health problems. Utilizing natural products like those in the WellBetX product line can lead to definite improvements in blood sugar control. These improvements will subsequently be demonstrated by changes in the results with the different monitoring tests, but especially in self-monitored blood sugar levels. At the present time, individuals with Type 1 diabetes absolutely require conventional treatment with the hormone insulin. We consider this approach consistent with natural medicine – after all, the goal is simply to provide the body with a critical natural hormone. When using the natural products that impact blood sugar control, the Type 1 diabetics will need to work closely with their physician and adjust insulin dosages accordingly. In individuals with Type 2 diabetes, when blood sugar levels cannot be controlled satisfactorily with weight loss, exercise and diet therapy; oral antihyperglycemic agents or, when necessary, insulin are utilized for additional support. Just as in the individual with Type 1 diabetes, the Type 2 individual on these drugs will need to work with their physician in adjusting the dosage of any medications. The difference however, is the goal in Type 2 diabetes is to achieve satisfactory blood sugar control without the aid of drugs. In fact, in most cases of Type 2 diabetes there can be a complete reversal of the disease.

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