Diabetes is now in the top 5 most prevalent diseases in the world, affecting more than 171 million people world wide with 1 in 3 Americans expected to develop Diabetes Mellitus at some stage in life. It is affecting the Chinese with increasing rapidity due to the influx of western food and decrease in exercise which helps to regulate blood sugar levels and it is expected to become most prevalent in Asian and African countries by the year 2030.

Diabetes Mellitus can be categorized into 3 types – Type 1 which is thought to be an autoimmune response whereby the body’s own system attacks the beta cells in the pancreas and destroy them which then requires lifetime insulin injections. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is when the body loses its ability to properly respond to signals given by insulin – the body develops insulin resistance. Insulin is necessary for the uptake of glucose into cells which then provide our cells with energy to function. The last type is gestational diabetes which occurs during pregnancy.

Type 2 diabetes (or Xiao Ke) is seen in TCM as being a “wasting and thirsting” disease caused by a yin deficiency with dry heat. This yin deficiency with dry heat stems mainly from a diet high in saturated fat, high sugar content, intense emotional factors and lack of relevant exercise. There are 3 stages of Xiao Ke – early, mid and late and according to much research, the diagnosis of Xiao Ke may be delayed 10 years as the signs and symptoms are very mild in the early stages and not at all easy to detect which is why diet and exercise are important throughout life.

Generally people with Xiao Ke will be diagnosed in the mid stage and when they come into the clinic their symptoms will be fairly severe: Thirst, Hunger, Increased urinary output (these are the 3 poly’s – polydipsia, polyphagia, and polyuria) plus dizziness, fatigue, increased sweating and possibly weakness of the lower limbs. As long as the disease has not progressed too far Chinese Medicine is in fact exceptionally useful in treating mid stage diabetes by basically adhering to the following:

1. Chinese Herbal Medicine with herbs such as: Huang Lian, Tian Hua Fen, Huai Shan Yao to help lower the blood sugar levels and decrease thirst.
2. Changing your diet to incorporate more complex carbohydrates. You diet should include ample spinach, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, string beans plus whole grains and pulses. Limited the amount of fat in your diet.
3. Increase exercise to help regulate blood sugar levels.
4. Prevention is always the best cure so look after yourself and if you do find yourself in a high risk group (little or no exercise, bad diet, increased stress and high emotions), get yourself a yearly fasting blood sugar test with your doctor.

TCM is highly beneficial in the treatment of both early and mid stage diabetes, however it is always up to the individual to try and prevent this insidious disease which is prominently due to the diet and lifestyle that we westerners have introduced to the world.  With the temptations of an expat life style it is up to each individual to take responsibility for their health and avoid diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes.

Jodie Casson, OMD and Physiotherapist

*As featured in the November 2006 issue of ShanghaiTalk and posted with permission from Body & Soul TCM