Sometimes it seems that popular diabetes research may have forgotten it’s objective, but there are certainly things diabetics can do to treat themselves. In fact, even the ADA agrees with this notion. This idea is suggested in one of their publications called, Diabetes A to Z: What you Need to know About Diabetes; Simply Put. It is now in it’s 5th edition.

When reporting the results of diabetes research, it is quite acceptable to say something like the following statement in a news release or report: “new drug shows promise for treatment.” You have to be careful, however, in saying something like, “ancient practice of using certain natural dietary supplements limits incidence of type 2 diabetes among Mayan descendants”. No claims of treatment or cure can be made regarding any naturally available product used as food or food supplement without approval. This FDA technicality shows the tilt of the play field - it’s not towards the sufferers of this degenerative disease, but towards the drug manufacturing industry.

However, before we examine the pitiful state of metabolic disease research any further, I want to share some interesting bit of information on type 2 diabetes; in particular some new research study on a natural food supplement. I actually “tore” out a piece of the page of the report and posted it on the web.

Let us consider one commendable effort by a research organization as seen in a January 2009 article. We read that that US Olympic swimmer, Gary Hall, Jr. was “tapped as spokesman for new study that explores benefits of exercise on autoimmune diseases.” Mr. Hall, who competed in the Olympics from 1996 through 2004 and won 5 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals in 3 Olympics was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1999.

Scientists conducting diabetes research to investigate the effect of physical exercise on autoimmune response in type 1 diabetes believe that regular aerobic activity increases insulin sensitivity. But this has been known and practiced for some time now. One exercise physiologist to whom I have listened several times even told of clients who simply exercise and then eat in order to control their blood sugars. I am not sure I would advocate anyone working so hard for every meal, but it shows the effectiveness and importance of physical activity in regulating blood sugar.

Diabetes research has been chasing the money

With all the knowledge and experience gained from various diabetic research studies that prove the effectiveness of proper diet and exercise very little is being done to promote healthy lifestyle intervention especially among the high risk groups. Diet and lifestyle regulation can help in not only controlling, but preventing, the onset of type 2 diabetes. Instead, science continues to chase the “so-called” genetic factors and the development of more drugs to tackle the epidemic. Why?

Well, since it is difficult to “patent” a freely growing plant that can be used in dietary supplementation, then expensive research has to follow the money. However, even the researchers agree that there are things we can do to treat ourselves, and we should. After all, our health is the result of choices we make daily.

Recent double-blind clinical studies have shown very satisfactory results for controlling blood glucose level using common, easily available, traditionally used, and natural dietary supplements. Having tried some of the ingredients individually, it is particularly thrilling to see new combinations and special blends of these traditionally safe products. One question still hangs unanswered, however. Will the established arm of the pharmaceutical and medical industries still keep this information under their clipboard, or will they help spread the news to diabetics?