Diabetes mellitus, perhaps more than any other disease is strongly associated with western culture and diet. Diabetes is the most common of the serious metabolic diseases of humans. It is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, characterized by fasting elevations of blood glucose levels and a greatly increased risk of atherosclerosis, kidney disease and loss of nerve function.
Dietary modification is fundamental.
Certain vitamins, minerals and herbs have also been found helpful in managing blood sugar levels and reducing complications of diabetes such as atherosclerosis, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy and diabetic foot ulcers. Vanadyl sulfate given to diabetic rats stimulates glucose uptake and metabolism leading to glucose normalization. Rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes were given vanadyl sulfate for three weeks. Although insulin levels were still depressed, glucose tolerance was normalized. Experimental studies show that an extract of the Indian herb Gymnema sylvestre may enhance endogenous insulin production in both Type I and Type II diabetics.