Modern researchers are finding that the diabetic condition is not simply a matter of high blood sugar level. More and more, researchers begin to see diabetes as a complex condition involving many imbalances at the deeper metabolic level. In an New York Times article " In Diabetes, a Complex of Cause" dated October 16, 2007, Dr. Robert A. Rizza, a professor at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine said the resons for abnormal blood sugar seem to "differ tremendously from person to person."
Consequently, the conventional medical approach of simply using insulin or oral drugs to treat diabetes is incomplete and the person relying on them to prevent long-term complications remains at risk. Researches in China show that adding Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into diabetes prevention and treatment has a much better results than using Western medicine alone. TCM identified diabetes as a disease about 2,500 years ago. Throughout the centuries, hundreds of millions of diabetes patients in Asia were successfully treated by TCM doctors and were relieved of diabetes and its associated symptoms.
TCM's holistic approach toward the treatment of diabetes results in a comprehensive regulatory effect. Especially, Chinese herbs can reduce insulin resistance, protect B-cells in the pancreas, promote insulin secretion. Also Chinese herbs can help to regulate cholesterol levels, increase anti-coagulation, improve microcirculation and protect liver and kidney functions. Even though ancient TCM doctors could not determine a diabetes patient's blood sugar level, they were able to identify herbs that controlled diabetes.
One of Chinese herb called Mai men dong ,Ophiopogon, has proven through modern research that it contains medicinal properties that help to repair a damaged pancreas. Ophiopogon is been able to enable diabetes patient's pancreas that were unable to produce insulin to begin producing insulin by causing the regeneration of the cells that produce insulin in their pancreases. Another herb called Tian hua fen ,Trichosanthis, has shown significant promise in the treatment of diabetes by reducing the blood sugar of diabetes patients in a recent modern research. Both Astragalus and Chinese wild yam were also identified as being effective in the treatment of diabetes. Bittermelon ,Momordica Charantia, has also been confirmed through modern research to posses the ability to lower blood sugar effectively. The research that provides this evidence were done in both Thailand and China. Other Chinese herbs are also showing great potentials to treat many other disease. For instance, a Chinese herbal formula known as Ming Mu Di Huang Wan has been used to treat vision problems in China. There are Chinese herbs for improving blood circulation and cause faster healing of wounds. Any herb that improves circulation is quite good for diabetics because the disease slows down patient's blood circulation. Though the ancient Chinese were unable to monitor blood sugar levels for diabetic patients, modern scientific research indicate that the herbs the Chinese used for treating diabetes patients were really effective.
Researchers reported in the June issue of Cell Metabolism that a Gardenia fruit extract, traditionally used in Chinese Medicine to treat the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, contains a chemical that reverses some of the pancreatic dysfunctions which causes type 2 diabetes. The researchers also mentioned that there is no currently available diabetes therapy which actually targets the underlying causes of disease in insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells.
Chinese remedy 'treats diabetes'
Reported in BBC News on June, 2006.
A gardenia fruit extract used in Chinese medicine for centuries to treat adult onset diabetes is effective, scientists have found.
The US team found a chemical from the fruit blocks the action of an enzyme which stops the production of insulin.
The research, published in Cell Metabolism, could lead to new drugs, the scientists said.
Diabetes experts said the work was in its early stages, and recommended a healthy diet and exercise for patients.
Insulin is made in the pancreas, and stimulates cells to take up as much glucose as they need for energy, thereby regulating blood sugar levels.
But in people with diabetes, there is too little insulin, which causes blood sugar concentrations to rise.
The researchers from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School focused on an enzyme called uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) which prevents insulin being produced.
The team wanted to find a way to block the enzyme's action.
'Useful tool'
One of the team, Chen-Yu Zhang, who was familiar with traditional Chinese medicine, suggested looking at the extract of fruits of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis.
The extract has been used in traditional Chinese Medicine to relieve the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes.
Tests on mice showed the extract blocked UCP2's action, and that a chemical called genipin was the active compound.
When genipin was added to pancreatic tissue in the lab, it also reversed faults linked to obesity and high glucose levels in insulin-producing cells.
The researchers said their findings may lead to the development of new drugs, which would offer a significant advance as there is currently no available therapy for diabetes which targets the underlying causes of disease in insulin-producing cells.
It may potentially increase the use of Gardenia extract itself, they said.
Dr Bradford Lowell, who led the study, added: "Genipin represents an extremely useful investigational tool for studying a number of aspects of UCP2 biology."
Roopinder Brar, a care advisor at Diabetes UK, said: "We welcome any research into a potential treatment for Type 2 diabetes.
"However, this study is still in its early stages but we look forward to further investigation.
"For the 1.8 million people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, we recommend a healthy, balanced diet and physical activity."
Diabetes Drugs May Be Related To Fracture Risk
ScienceDaily (2008-04-29) -- A widely used class of diabetes medications appears to be associated with an increased risk for fractures, according to a new article. After adjusting for other risk factors, individuals who were currently taking rosiglitazone and pioglitazone had approximately double or triple the odds of hip and other non-spine fractures than those who did not take these drugs.
JAMA and Archives Journals (2008, April 29). Diabetes Drugs May Be Related To Fracture Risk.
ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 1, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com
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