Childhood Diabetes

Childhood-onset diabetes, also known as type I diabetes, occurs in those genetically predisposed to the disease as well as in those who are overweight or obese, have poor nutrition, and are physically inactive. Managing the risk factors of weight, nutrition, and inactivity can go a long way toward preventing the disease even in those with a family history of type I diabetes.

Complementary Approaches to Type I Diabetes Management

For children who develop type I diabetes regular, daily injections of insulin are the only safe and effective method for managing the disease. There are however a number of alternative approaches that can be used as effective, complementary methods for managing blood sugar, glucose, and nerve damage associated with type I diabetes. These include:

Foods

• Increase fiber intake: Several studies support the increase of fiber as an effective method for stabilizing blood sugar. Eating more whole grains, beans, legumes, and fresh produce are all great ways to boost fiber.
• Replace unhealthy fats: Monosaturated fats are not only healthier than many fats used in cooking and food preparation, they also help control cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Extra light olive oil is a good replacement for many unhealthy fats.
• Reduce protein intake: Eating a limited amount of protein has been shown to improve the body’s ability to tolerate glucose and to reduce the kidney damage associated with type I diabetes.
• Limit cow’s milk: Studies throughout the world have found that children whose diets are founded on cow’s milk dairy products are at greater risk of developing type I diabetes.

Supplements

• Psyllium: This herbal supplement is high in fiber, which has been shown to have a positive effect on blood sugar levels.
• Alpha lipoic acid: Early double-blind trials of this powerful antioxidant suggest that this supplement slows kidney damage and improves nerve damage when taken in daily doses of 600 mg to 1200 mg.
• Evening primrose oil: Double-blind research has shown this herbal supplement to be useful in relieving pain and improving nerve damage. Study participants achieved these results by taking 4 grams of evening primrose oil daily.
• Magnesium: One study found supplementing with between 200 mg and 600 mg of magnesium daily effective for slowing the nerve damage associated with type I diabetes.

Note: Check with your child’s doctor before supplementing with herbals as some may interact negatively with certain medications.

Alternatives

• Acupuncture: Research has shown 77% of those suffering from type I diabetes experience relief from nerve-damage related pain.

Maintaining a healthy weight, nutritious diet, and regular activity are the best methods for preventing childhood-onset diabetes. For those children who develop type I diabetes there are many foods, supplements, and alternative therapies which can be used in conjunction with insulin injections to mitigate symptoms associated with the disease.

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