Diabetes in Hawaii-advice for hawaiian diabetics from Dr.

Joy Ostroff

Naturopathic medicine has proven to be effective in many cases for preventing and treating Type II
diabetes, pre-diabetic conditions and diabetic complications, as well as improving the quality of life for
all,including individuals with type I diabetes in Hawaii.

Utilizing a naturopathic protocol specifically designed to meet their particular health profile,
patients can control blood glucose levels more tightly, decrease insulin requirements and
reduce dependence on insulin.
Blood sugar can begin to decrease within two to six weeks, with a cost effective, non-toxic,
safe and effective naturopathic protocol.

Though it is not recommended for a patient to stop their prescription drugs when their blood
sugars are consistently over 150 mg/dl;once there is a significant decrease in blood sugar
levels, they may wish to consider weaning off these medicines under supervision of their
physician or treating naturopathic physician.

Many naturopathic nutrients and herbs can help to eliminate free radicals, which are largely
responsible for the secondary complications of diabetes.

Diabetes in Hawaii is most succinctly explained as a disease that affects the way in which our
bodies convert the food we eat into energy. Ina healthy individual, this conversion is made
efficiently with the help of insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas that enables glucose
molecules from food to pass through cell membranes so that they can be used as energy or
stored for the future. In a Hawaiian diabetic person, either there is not enough insulin for this
conversion, or the insulin is not eliciting a response in the body. Either way, the result is
unstable blood sugar levels, which can soar dangerously high and lead to severe diabetic
complication or even death. Food is usually the most significant concern for diabetics
because it can raise blood sugar sharply and often immediately; and its consumption is a
necessary part of daily life. Stress, exercise and stimulants play important but lesser roles in
blood sugar levels.
In 2004, more than $36 million was invested in diabetes research. American taxpayers spend
$132 billion every year on treatment for DM patients through modern drug therapy.
Preventive healthcare is essential in alleviating the health and financial costs associated with
diabetes. Naturopathic medicine is a primary health care system based on the recognition
that the human organism has an incredible self-healing capacity. Naturopathic medicine
supports this self-healing potential using clinical nutrition, lifestyle counseling, botanical
medicine, traditional Asian medicine, homeopathic medicine, acupuncture,physical therapies,
and hydrotherapy. Each therapy supports the self-healing efforts of the body. The
naturopathic physician selects appropriate modalities based on the individual needs of the
patient, especially for diabetes in hawaii..

The fundamental principles of naturopathic medicine are:

First: Do no harm. Support the self healing power of the body.

Second: Find the cause and TREAT the CAUSE of the disease or imbalance rather than just
treating the symptoms. Treat the whole person, through individualized treatments, to
support the optimal functioning of the whole being, including attending to the emotional and
psychological as well as physiological well being of the person.

The naturopathic doctor will teach the principles of healthy living and disease prevention.
The literal meaning of the word doctor in latin, is teacher. It is the licensed naturopathic
physician or ND’s responsibility of teach each patient what they need to do to take part in
their health and the reversal of disease. For the patient’s safety, the naturopathic doctor
must establish a diagnosis based on medical history, physical examination, and standard
laboratory tests.

The Holistic Integrative Perspective - From the holistic viewpoint, there are no disease
entities, only individuals suffering the results of an imbalance of regulatory functions. In the
example of diabetes in hawaiians, the cause could stem from genetics, viral, cow’s milk
causing an auto-immune disturbance, for type 1; and any combination of diet, obesity,glucose
metabolism, liver insufficiencies, low birth weight, hormonal imbalances, particularly insulin.
Diagnosis and symptoms of diabetes in hawaii: Polyuria,polydipsia, polyphasia; fatigue, and
fungal infections. It is usually accompanied by HBP, Obesity. Testing: fasting plasma
glucose, hemoglobin, serum lipids (CHOLESTEROL) Normal-110mg/dl. If >200 - dx - DM - Risk
Factors: Genetics,advancing age, overweight, sibling, HBP, high birth weight child, high
cholesterol,PCOS, Sedentary lifestyle, hormonal imbalance, poor diet, sodas, poor immune
function, vitamin and mineral deficiency, Herbicide exposure - (agent orange in North
Vietnam - monsanto); GM foods - Drug therapies: Insulin,Sulfa drugs- stimulate insulin
secretion from the beta cells of the pancreas,metformin - Side effects to liver, thyroid, kidneys
- Naturopathic Therapies: Lifestyle therapy: nutrition based diet, exercise,stress
management, and the prevention of obesity and sedentary lifestyle.

Offending foods: refined carbohydrates, trans and saturated fats, excessive animal protein,
inadequate fiber, inadequate vegetables, minerals, micronutrients, refined sugars and too
little or too much salt.
Appropriate foods for the prevention of diabetes and the reversal of symptoms include foods
from the earth; whole foods including fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, sprouts,
nuts and seeds in proper proportion, combined properly and eaten in moderation.

Stress Management: meditation, yoga, prayer, balanced living

Smoking cessation: Nicotene decreases sensitivity to insulin

Exercise prescription: Pain - no gain vs. “no pain, no gain”

The purpose for exercising is to eliminate acid waste from the body via the lungs through
respiration and the skin through perspiration. That is why we have two lungs and 3500
perspiratory pores in our skin per square inch. Our skin being our largest eliminatory organ
must be kept clean and free of dead skin and debris for it to function at optimal efficiency.
When your car burns or ferments fuel to create energy, a toxin or acid is released called
carbon monoxide. When your body’s anatomical elements burn or ferment foods to release
energy, the same thing happens. The toxin created is called carbon dioxide. During exercise
we take in oxygen and respire CO2. If we are at any time during rest or exercise,not
breathing properly and taking in less O2 than we need, a more toxic waste product is created
- lactic acid. Unlike carbon dioxide, which is expelled out of the body, lactic acid is expelled
into the surrounding tissues. This is what causes the pain. Aches, pains, irritations or
inflammation is the effect of acid in your body. When you exercise to exhaustion you are
creating excess acids that lead to sickness and disease - including obesity and diabetes. Acids
burn and break down cells which in turn cause a rise in blood sugar.

Exercise moves acids through these two elimination organs. When the internal environment
of the body is acidic it is breaking down. Cancer and deterioration are more apt to occur
under these circumstances. When your cells are more alkaline they are stronger and
healthier; as are your muscles and organs in which they are housed. A Newsweek article
published in May of 2003, stated that pain is the number one reason Americans visit the
doctor at the economic cost of $100 billion a year. Over 10 million children in America suffer
from chronic and acute pain that ultimately contributes to the increase in childhood diabetes,
stemming from over-acidity in the blood and tissues. Our lifestyle choices play a major role in
our health on a daily basis. The goal is to eliminate the risks.

What can you do:

Eat fruits,vegetables and green drinks. Plant foods contain biologically active substances that
have proven health benefits such chlorophyll, which aid in delivering oxygen throughout the
body, reducing the binding of acids to DNA, breaking down calcium stones and building red
blood cells. Plant enzyme said in the chemical activities necessary for maintaining life. They
aid digestion, regeneration and energy.

Phytonutrients help prevent diabetes in hawaiians by neutralizing acids and other acidic
symptoms such as CV disease, obesity, hyper cholesterolemia, arthritis, osteoporosis and
cancer.

Vegetables contain vitamins and minerals which serve to strengthen the blood and immune
system.
Wheatgrass contains 100 food elements, including every identified mineral and trace mineral;
as well as containing protein and laetrile which is antifungal.

DRINK WATER: Among the most useful nutrients to be considered strongly is the water that
you need to consume. Our body is 70% water and our brain is 83% water. Water regulates
body temperature, protects vital organs, transports nutrients within each cell, dispels wastes
and is used for every other function in the body.

A three percent drop in body weight through water loss causes a 10% drop in contractile
strength in your muscles. A 4% loss can cause dizziness; 5% loss will cause problems with
concentration, drowsiness impatience and headaches. 6% loss of water from the body will
cause the heart to race and your body’s temperature regulation mechanism to fail. 7% loss
will lead to collapse. Once even slightly dehydrated, it takes 6 month to restore adequate
hydration. On an average, uneventful day, we lose at least 1% water. If you add on
heat,exercise, travel or stress, you loose more. Beverages containing alcohol and caffeine
actually rob the body of water. We lose as much water when asleep as when awake; and we
need as much water in cold weather as in warm.

Drinking the right kind of water is also important. Our water supplies have become
increasingly contaminated and thus dangerous to our health. But just as water can be ruined
by certain additives and actions, so too can it be made healthier. Drinking alkalized and
energized water will rehydrate and revitalize your body. Tap water usually tests at a pH of 7,
however it is chemically treated and contains metalions such as iron, lead, cadmium and
mercury - all toxic when in excess.

Most bottled waters, when tested for their pH value, are highly acidic. Vitamin waters,
gatorades, diet sodas and reverse osmosis water also tests acidic. This increases the free
radical damage to the body including the circulatory system of the extremities, the vision and
kidney function. Our bodies seek to maintain a slightly alkaline state. When we introduce
acidic substances into our body, we throw off that alkaline state . The body will then use
alkaline substances to counteract the acidic ones. Water is then needed to wash away the
wastes. Water that is acidic is again counterproductive at this stage. Alkaline water is also
highly oxygenated. Oxygen is the single most important substance that your body needs.
Microbes, or bad bacteria cannot live in the presence of oxygen. Alkaline water contains
calcium, magnesium and potassium which are required by the body. Others useful and
powerful natural medicines, that when properly prescribed can be powerfully effective in
reversing the side effects of diabetes, diabetes drug therapies and the peripheral vascular
system.

Marinelipids, borage oil and other essential fats improve overall circulation, brain and
nervous system function as well as endocrine function. They are an excellent source of
omega 3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. Borage oil protects your body’s insulin-producing beta
cells from acid breakdown.

Devil’s Club root bark, jambul seed , blueberry leaf, bean pod, dandelion root, Vitamin C,E,B6,
folic acid, B12 biotin, Mg, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium,bitter melon,
gymnemia, fenugreek, bilberry, bioflavenoids, cinnamon, basil and ginseng when selected
and used properly can assist in treating symptomatic patients and restoring health.
If you have diagnosed D.M., hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, being under the supervision of a
qualified, licensed ND will ensure that you are being looked after properly so that you can
begin to reverse symptoms, lower body weight restore health and reduce or eliminate the
need for medications.

Dr. Diana Joy Ostroff has been practicing naturopathic medicine and acupuncture in Honolulu,
HI for 20 years. She owns and operates the Center for Natural Healing where she assists
individuals in attaining optimal health and wellness. She regularly teaches classes in her
center and throughout the community as part of her Wisdom of Well-being Seminar Series.

www.naturalhealinghawaii.com