Q & A archive—Type 1 Diabetes

Question: My 17-year-old daughter has just been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. What is the best natural treatment plan for her to be on. She is currently taking 15 units of insulin once daily. We are still at this point trying to get her blood sugar levels down to "normal".

Answer: Type 1 diabetes is a genetic condition in which the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to adequately maintain life and is usually discovered at a much younger age than 17 years. The dietary treatment would be the same as for type 2 diabetes. In my latest book “More Letters to my Patients,” I have a complete and detailed chapter on the treatment of type 2 diabetes with the diet and supplements etc. The book can be obtained on line from my web site.

Since your daughter apparently got along at least fairly well for the 17 years before diabetes was diagnosed, I am wondering if there isn’t at least an element of type 2 diabetes present. If so, it is possible that with strict dietary care and proper exercise and nutrient supplementation, she might eventually be able to get along without any supplemental insulin injections.

If such a strict program is to be attempted, she should seek the services of a good nutritionally oriented physician to monitor her care and progress.

Good luck.

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