DIABETES–THE PREVENTABLE EPIDEMIC A CONCISE UPDATE OF IMPORTANT ISSUES CONCERNING NATURAL HEALTH INGREDIENTS

Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death among Americans and cases of this disease are growing at an alarming rate. Without exaggeration diabetes is becoming a modern, albeit silent, epidemic. Currently, over 10 million Americans are diagnosed with some form of diabetes, while another 5 million are considered to be diabetic without their knowledge. What makes this information so tragic is the fact that most of these individuals may have been able to prevent the onset of the disease with proper awareness, diet and exercise. The modern Western diet and lifestyle has done much to lead our generation to the threshold of insulin resistance, and with it, the collection of symptoms known as Syndrome X. This issue will review some of the basics of preventable diabetes (type II) and the consequences of poor glycemic control leading to insulin resistance. The major focus will be on the accumulated research of various nutraceuticals as they have been used to treat or prevent diabetes and its harmful complications. 2 0 0 2Vo l u m e 5, N o.