Symptoms:
Diabetes insipidus: Extreme thirst and enormous quantities of urine, regardless of how much water is consumed.

Diabetes mellitus - Type I: (insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes): Excessive hunger, thirst, urination, depression, weakness, blurred vision, dry mouth, and vomiting.

Diabetes mellitus - Type II: (maturity-onset diabetes): Unusual thirst, frequent urination, general weakness, obesity, skin disorders, boils, blurred vision, and dry mouth.

Cause:
Diabetes is a major problem; entire books have been written on the subject. We can only touch on the subject here.

Of the two types of diabetes, diabetes insipidus is the more rare and is caused by an inadequately functioning pituitary hormone (vasopressin) or kidneys which somehow cannot respond properly to it.

Diabetes mellitus is the third largest killer in the U.S., and is caused by a defect in the production of insulin by the pancreas. Without insulin, the body cannot utilize glucose, which is an important blood sugar. A blood glucose level above 180 mg. percent causes excess sugar to spillover into the urine and make it sweet. (Mellitus means "sweet.") Diabetes comes from a Greek word for "flow through," since diabetics produce so much urine.

Some people can develop diabetes mellitus as a result of stress, obesity, or pregnancy. Certain medicinal drugs can also cause it: oral contraceptives, adrenal corticosteroids, phenytoin, or thiazide diuretics. A diet high in sugar and white flour can lead to diabetes. Parasites (especially in children) can also do it. Hypothyroidism can also cause it.

It is of interest that people who eat much sugar eventually cannot taste it as well; so they pour on more sugar! But Type II diabetes sufferers also lack this sugar-tasting discernment. Leave off the sugar, and learn to enjoy the natural flavors in your food.

Because the diabetic cannot utilize glucose for energy, he loses weight and is weakened by excess consumption of his protein and fat stores. Because of this, he may be very hungry and eat large amounts of food.

Treatment:
• Stop eating sugar, white-flour products, greasy food, meat, eggs, cheese, excess vegetable oil, as well as rancid nuts and seeds. Totally avoid tobacco and those who use it. Because it restricts circulation, it will aggravate your condition.

• Eat smaller meals (if necessary, eat them more frequently), and chew the food thoroughly. Do not eat late in the evening. Overeating can induce diabetes or increase it, once contracted.

• Vegetable broths and fresh fruit are nourishing. A high-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet will reduce the need for insulin. (A low-fiber diet can bring on diabetes.) It will also lower the amount of fat in the blood. Get your protein from vegetable sources.

• Onions and green beans appear to lower blood sugar. A diet high in raw food is also helpful. One individual dropped his insulin dosage from 60 to 15 units per day, by increasing his raw food intake.

• But do not eat fruits and melons in large amounts. Do not eat apples or bananas. Do not eat milk and sugar combinations. Coffee can induce very high blood sugar levels. A fat-free diet will help reduce blood sugar.

• Eat your meals at regular times, and do not be in a rush to swallow the food. The quicker you eat, the higher goes the blood sugar.

• Eat raw garlic every day, to reduce your blood sugar.

• Do not take large amounts of niacin (vitamin B3), B1 (thiamin), PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid, another B vitamin), or vitamin C. But do take them in normal amounts.

• Get enough exercise; it will improve circulation, which is always poor in diabetics. This will also lower blood sugar levels.

• Huckleberry helps promote insulin production. Cedar berries help the pancreas. Other helpful herbs include black walnut, echinacea, burdock, buchu, dandelion root, and uva ursi.

• In case of a hyperglycemia attack, go to an emergency room. You must be given fluids, electrolytes, and possibly insulin.

• In case hypoglycemia occurs, in an emergency, immediately drink fruit juice, soft drinks, or anything else that contains sugar. If you are insulin dependent, carry a glucagon kit with you at all times.

• If your child has diabetes, tell his teacher the warning signs of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

• Take good care of your feet, for they can become more easily infected than those of non-diabetics.