This week Dr. Paul Bolton is a contributing author for facts and specifics on Diabetes, Syndrome X and workable solutions.

Diabetes is a chronic illness that requires continual care, patient self-management, and education to prevent acute complications and to reduce the risk of long-term complications. Diabetes care is complex and requires that many issues, beyond glycemic control, be addressed. A large body of evidence exists that supports a range of interventions to improve diabetes outcomes.

It is estimated that about 10% of adolescents are pre-diabetic. Of young adults under the age of
40 the number increases to 25% and over 40 it climbs to 40%. Research indicates that lifestyle intervention (with a focus on weight control) is the most effective way to prevent diabetes.
The percentages associated with weight loss show dramatic results of from 50-75% effectiveness.
The prevention of diabetes also represents a huge savings in healthcare dollars spent in the U.S.

So, who's at risk? Here are some of the top risk factors:
~ A family history of diabetes.
~ Age over 45.
~ Race or ethnic background. The risk of type 2 diabetes is greater in Hispanics, blacks, Native Americans, and Asians.
~ Metabolic syndrome (also called insulin resistance syndrome)
~ Being overweight.
~ Hypertension.
~ Abnormal cholesterol levels. HDL ("good") cholesterol levels under 35 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) and/or a triglyceride level over 250 mg/dL increases your risk of type II diabetes.
~ History of gestational diabetes. Getting diabetes during pregnancy or delivering a baby over nine pounds can increase your risk of type II diabetes.

Of all the risk factors for diabetes weight is the most controllable; however, weight loss may prove difficult and most patients need your help to be successful. Consider these four reasons that "diets" often fail:

1. Diets that eliminate an entire food category will likely be ineffective long term.

2. Diets that severely restrict calories (to below 1200 calories) are not metabolically healthy. Too little food provides too little nutrition.

3. Diet without exercise is of little benefit. Lifestyle changes that include exercise are far more effective than food modification alone.

4. This is a tough one, but being around other overweight people can make it more difficult to lose weight. It's kind of the same idea as a smoker trying to quit smoking while hanging around all his smoking friends. Making it a group effort can help in many of these situations.

This next statistic is pitiful. Be aware that the medical community that runs the major research and treatment protocols for diabetes does not look too favorably on chiropractic and nutritional supplementation. The American Diabetes Association does NOT recommend vitamin or mineral supplementation - in fact they recommend against it. They do, however, say it's okay to have a daily alcoholic beverage. I mention these things to alert you to the fact that diabetic patients receive poor advice from many sources and need help to better discern what will be most effective in their individual cases.

What about chiropractic and diabetes? There are many case studies and testimonials that attest to chiropractic adjustments lowering blood sugar levels. There is not, however, adequate research to support Chiropractic as an effective means of controlling diabetes. This only means that the research is inadequate, not Chiropractic (all the more reason to donate to Chiropractic research!).

There certainly is research to support nutritional considerations for diabetic patients. Chromium for carbohydrate metabolism, several vitamins with antioxidant effects, and fish oils that help control vascular issues are but a few of the things we can use to guide patients to better health as it relates to their blood sugar levels. Be sure to look at our highlighted Nutri-West products this month that provide your patients much needed nutritional support for their weight and blood sugar issues.

Total Alph a-Lipoic Acid
This formula provides comprehensive nutritional support for antioxidant protection, glucose balance/insulin sensitivity. Lipoic acid support is helpful for support of diabetes, liver, pancreas, kidneys, eyes, capillaries, skin, infection, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity.
Suggested Dosage: 1 tablet 3x daily

Total Lipotrophic
Lipid/cholesterol support is helpful for because high blood cholesterol levels increase the risk for heart disease. Maintaining low levels of lipids/cholesterol is a good idea for preventive maintenance of a healthy heart. Syndrome X usually has high blood pressure and high cholesterol and triglycerides.
Suggested Dosage: 1-2 tablets 3x daily

Vana-Chrom
A scientifically advanced formula takes advantage of a long list of nutrients that are reported to support normal glucose regulation. Vanadyl Sulfate keeps the blood sugar from going to high and Chromium keeps it from going too low.

Suggested Dosage: 1 tablet 3x daily

Core Level Pancreas
Nutritional support for the pancreas.

Obesity and diabetes, as well as Syndrome X go hand in hand. So does inflammation. So Total Infalm is another nutrient of great importance, since it is a synergistic blend to reduce inflammation throughout the body.

DON’T FORGET HOMECOMING JANUARY 29-31 2010 WILL HAVE SECTIONS ON OBESITY, INFLAMMATION, ALLERGIES, HORMONE BALANCE, RE-CERTIFICATION AND MUCH MORE.

RE-CERTIFICATION WILL START THURSDAY EVENING AT 7:00 PM. SO WILL THE TREATING SEMINAR. DR JOHN BRIMHALL, DR BRETT BRIMHALL, DR BRIAN ANDERSON AND DR BRUCE CARRICK WILL BE BOOKING PATIENTS EVERY THIRTY MINUTES FROM 7 TO 8:30, FINISHING US AT 9:00 PM.

CALL CAREY AT THE HEALTH PATH OFFICE TO REGISTER FOR TREATMENT AND RE-CERTIFICATION 866-338-4883.

See you soon,


John W Brimhall, DC and the Wellness Team