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Diabetes Mellitus Type 1
or Juvenile Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus type 1 used to be called “juvenile diabetes”. Currently, this type of diabetes is believed to be an autoimmune disease. Even though genetics and environment play some role in the development of type 1 diabetes, most of the recent interest has been in the autoimmune process as the cause of this disease. Several studies have shown a significant increase in the number of cases of type 1 diabetes following an epidemic of coxsackievirus, mumps, and congenital rubella. Researchers do not believe that it is the actual viral infection of the pancreas that is the cause but rather an autoimmune response caused by the viral infection.

Approximately 80% of the new-onset patients with type 1 diabetes have islet cell antibodies. These antibodies are directed against the beta cells of the pancreas where insulin is made. Essentially the immune system is attacking itself. In this case, it is attacking the cells of the pancreas where insulin is produced. These antibodies are markers of the true damage caused by the T cells of the immune system.

I was taught in medical school that autoimmune diseases were the result of an overactive immune system since the body was essentially attacking itself. Consistent with my training, almost all of the medical therapies that physicians offer patients with an autoimmune disease are based on this premise. This is why most of these patients are placed on chemotherapeutic medications, which primarily suppress the immune system. Medications like Methotrexate, Plaquinil, and Immuran are just a few of the potent medications that are used. Corticosteroids like Prednisone are also used not only because of its strong anti-inflammatory qualities but also because they suppress the immune system. However, with type I diabetes almost all of the beta cells have already been damaged and destroyed by the time the actual diagnosis is made. This only leaves one option for the physician—to give the patient insulin.

Since type 1 diabetes mellitus usually occurs early in life—most of the time in early childhood—it is critical that every effort be extended to protect the patient’s arteries from the normal accelerated aging of the arteries. This means the child and eventual adult needs to develop a lifelong healthy lifestyle that can effectively slow down this process.

These patients need to learn about a healthy diet and an effective exercise program. It is absolutely imperative for patients to eat in such a way as to not spike the blood sugar. See glycemic Index.

As a side note: I personally believe the diabetic diet taught by most dieticians is a poor one because they don’t take into consideration the glycemic index of carbohydrates. The glycemic index is the rate at which the blood sugar rises after a person eats a particular carbohydrate. All physicians understand that it is critical to control the blood sugar spike following a meal. However, most health care professionals simply believe a carbohydrate is a carbohydrate and make no distinction in regards to their glycemic index.

For example, eating white bread, white flour, pasta, rice, and potatoes increases the blood sugar faster than if the patient were slapping table sugar on their tongue. What goes up must come down—and in the case of the type 1 diabetic this means using more insulin. The healthy diet I recommend teaches the patient to eat his or her meals and snacks in such a way as to not spike their blood sugar. As a result they not only need less insulin but they are able to control their diabetes much more effectively.

When the blood sugar is not well controlled, the sugar attaches itself to fats and proteins by a process called glycation. This causes significantly greater inflammation in their arteries and thus acceleration of the aging of their arteries. When this is combined with any other risk factors—i.e. hypertension, high cholesterol, high homocysteine levels; this aging of the arteries is accelerated even faster. Therefore, it is critical for diabetics to not only control their diabetes as best they can but also to avoid additional cardiovascular risk factors. Taking optimal levels of nutritional supplements is key for these patients.

Nutritional Supplement Recommendations

I recommend that all my patients take the basic nutritional support I refer to as cellular nutrition. This foundational regime provides all the necessary micronutrients to the cell at ideal levels (not RDA levels) for significant health benefits as documented in the medical literature. When the cell is given maximum support, it can then determine what it does and does not need. Over a six-month period each cell is able to not only overcome nutritional deficiencies but also to optimize ALL the nutrients, which are needed to combat oxidative stress.

The synergistic affect of providing all the nutrients needed by one’s body at the most advantageous levels results in optimizing and rebuilding the body’s natural immune system, antioxidant, and repair systems back to their fullest fighting potential against disease.

Minimal support for Cellular Nutrition:

My minimal recommendation for creating cellular nutrition is to simply take Usana’s Mega Antioxidant and Chelated Minerals, called "The Essentials" at their recommended doses (3 of each daily). The Essentials offers the cell ALL of the antioxidants, B-cofactors, and antioxidant minerals needed by the cell at ideal levels. In order to achieve the best results, I recommend taking 1 Mega Antioxidant and 1 Chelated Mineral with each meal. Nutritionals should always be taken with food because of better absorption and better tolerance. However, as a physician, I realize that compliance with taking supplements three times a day is a major issue. Therefore, if you tend to frequently forget the lunchtime dose, I suggest taking the supplements twice daily: taking 2 Mega Antioxidants and 1 Chelated Mineral in the morning with breakfast and 1 Mega Antioxidant and 2 Chelated Minerals in the evening with the evening meal.

Optimal support for Cellular Nutrition:

For the most favorable results for basic cellular nutrition, I also recommend adding to the Usana Essentials either OptOmega (2 tsps daily) or BiOmega-3 (4 capsules daily), which provides the essential fats and Fibergy, which assures the individual is receiving the additional fiber his or her body needs. I also recommend adding Active Calcium (4 tablets daily) to provide additional calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D that our bodies need. These recommendations provide all the nutrients at their ideal levels creating the cellular nutrition I recommend in my book, What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know About Nutritional Medicine May Be Killing You.

Optimizers

It is critical that you know the necessity of adding optimizers to your foundational cellular nutrition for optimal results. Patients who are suffering from a chronic degenerative disease or illness are under more oxidative stress than the average healthy individual. Therefore, adding potent Optimizers to the basic cellular nutrition offers you the best chance to bring this oxidative stress back under control. The synergy and increased potency created by this approach to nutritional medicine is why I’m able to get such consistent results in my patients.

However, to suit each individual’s unique needs, I always offer both an optimal and a minimal plan for cellular nutrition and for adding Optimizers. Obviously, one’s improvement will be quicker and more consistent with the optimal recommendations; however, a minimal regime can still produce significant clinical results.

Recommended Optimizers:

Optimal:

Proflavanol 90*--2 tablets daily
Coquinone 30—2 capsules daily

Minimal:

Proflavanol 90*--2 tablets daily

*Proflavanol 90 is equal to 3 Proflavanol C

Optimal Recommendations

Nutritional Supplement	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Mega Antioxidant (Mega AO)	1	1	1
Chelated Mineral (Multi Mineral)	1	1	1
Active Calcium	1	1	2
Proflavanol 90	1		1
Coquinone 30	1		1
Optomega	2 tsps
Biomega-3 (an option instead of Optomega)	1	1	2

*Adding at least one serving of Fibergy daily will enhance these recommendations.

Minimal Recommendation

Nutritional Supplement	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Mega Antioxidant (Mega AO)	1	1	1
Chelated Mineral (Multi Mineral)	1	1	1
Proflavanol 90	1		1

If you are frequently going to miss taking your lunchtime dose, it is better to simply take your nutritionals twice daily. I recommend taking 2 Mega Antioxidants, 1 Chelated Mineral in the morning with breakfast and then taking 1 Mega Antioxidant, 2 Chelated Minerals in the evening. You should try to divide up your Active Calcium, essential fats, and Optimizers equally as possible between the AM and PM dose.

Nutritional Recommendations for Children

Usana Health Sciences has the best nutritional support for all ages. I will detail my recommendations for cellular nutrition and for each Optimizer according to age and weight.

Cellular Nutrition for Children:

Children ages 1 to 4 years of age:

I recommend giving these children 1 Usanimal daily. This may mean crushing the tablet and putting in a drink or sprinkling it on some. It is important to also consider giving these children 1 tsp pf OptOmega daily.

Children ages 5 to 8 years of age:

I recommend giving these children 1 Usanimal twice daily. I also recommend that they be taking 1 tsp of OptOmega and 1 Active Calcium tablet (or Active Calcium Chewable) daily.

Children ages 9 to 12:

I recommend giving these children 1 to 2 Body Rox daily depending on the weight of the child. If they are over 75 pounds, I generally recommend that they should be taking 2 Body Rox daily. In this age group, I also recommend that they take 2 tsps of OptOmega and 2 Active Calcium tablets or Chewable tablets daily.

Children ages 13 to 18:

I recommend that these children take 3 Body Rox daily along with 3 to 4 Active Calcium tablets or Chewable Active Calcium tablets. They should also be taking 2 tsps of OptOmega or 3 to 4 Biomega-3. Any adolescent in this age group who is suffering from a serious illness or weighs more than 120 pounds should also consider taking the Usana Essentials.

Optimizers:

Proflavanol:

I recommend giving children 1 to 2 mg of Proflavanol per pound per day (this is 3 to 5 mg per kilogram) in at least two divided doses. The smaller Proflavanol tablet has 30 mg of Proflavanol in each tablet (the Proflavanol 90 has 90mg in each tablet). I have no hesitation in using Proflavanol in children who over 2 years of age. These tablets may be crushed and placed in a drink or food with no loss of potency.

Coquinone 30:

I recommend giving children 1 to 2 mg of Coquinone per pound per day (this is 3 to 5 mg per kilogram) in divided doses. Each Coquinone 30 has 30 mg of Coquinone. This capsule may be punctured and the contents squirted out into a drink or food with no loss of potency.

Consider a Power Shake

USANA has a fantastic line of nutritionally balanced drinks that many of my patients consume as a meal substitute. In fact, I personally start every morning with 2 scoops of Fibergy, 2 scoops of Soyomax, and 2 teaspoonfuls of OptOmega. This provides me with a perfect, balanced, unpolluted meal to start my day. It allows me the opportunity to supplement my diet with soy protein; extra needed fiber, and essential fat. This meal is also a low-glycemic meal, which will not spike my blood sugar. Likewise, many USANA associates are using their imaginations to create exceptionally tasting meals with Fibergy and OptOmega. By blending in frozen, whole fruit for added flavor they are creating a variety of great tasting drinks.

Isn’t it remarkable that by simply taking USANA Essentials, Active Calcium and a power drink (remember, to consider this part of your food budget, since it is replacing an entire meal), the body is supplied with complete, and balanced cellular nutrition for every cell in the body? The synergy that is created, especially when adding needed Optimizers is phenomenal. Remember, the underlying problem is oxidative stress NOT a nutritional deficiency.

Why I recommend USANA Products

USANA strictly follows pharmaceutical-grade Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). This means they not only purchase pharmaceutical-grade raw products, but also manufacture the products according to tough pharmaceutical-quality guidelines. In addition, USANA Health Sciences follows USP guidelines for potency, uniformity, and dissolution of the tablet. In a nutshell, USANA manufactures their products to the strict standards of over-the-counter drugs even though not required to do so—assuring all of their customers and associates that what is on the label is actually in the tablet.

Usana's essentials are complete and balanced and provides the cellular nutrition that I strongly recommend in my book, What Your Doctor Doesn't Know About Nutritional Medicine May Be Killing You. This improves compliance and makes taking these advanced levels of nutritional supplements easier.

Starting Your USANA Nutritional Program

Over eighty percent of my patients are able to start the USANA Nutritional Program with absolutely no set backs while beginning to experience the health benefits of high-quality nutritional supplements immediately. Please keep in mind these supplements are extremely potent and optimal levels of nutrients are being provided that the body has never had before. The body is therefore able to finally rid itself of toxins, which have been accumulating for years (called detoxification). This is especially true in those who are suffering from a serious illness and are taking a significant amount of medication. It is important to understand the possible signs and symptoms of detoxification so that you can deal with them confidently and properly.

Detoxification:

The most common detoxification reaction is muscle aches and/or mild headache. These symptoms will usually pass within a few weeks. If the discomfort is not unbearable, I simply have my patients continue their program as I have prescribed. However, occasionally there is a more severe reaction. The patient is not in danger, rather, the amounts of nutrients are just too much too fast. In this case, I have my patients quit their supplements for a few days until the reaction subsides. I will then have them start back on their program but initially at lower doses (approximately one third of the recommended dose). Once they are tolerating this amount of supplementation, I suggest slowly building up to the recommended doses.

Some of my patients actually develop a "detox" skin rash somewhere on their body. As you know, the skin is an important route for ridding the body’s toxins. This rash is a dry, red rash that looks almost like a mild sunburn. Some people confuse this with an allergic reaction to the supplements. This is not typically so. I have never seen an allergic reaction to the USANA Essentials and can only recall a couple of patients who reacted to Proflavanol because they were actually allergic to grapes.

Patients may also experience some aspect of loose stools or even diarrhea. This again is a common "detox" reaction because the GI tract is another prime route for eliminating toxins from the body. This symptom will usually diminish within a couple of weeks. It is an important part of the detoxification and healing process. Therefore, I usually encourage my patients to continue the supplements as recommended unless their bottom gets too sore. I will then again recommend lower doses of the supplements until they feel better and then begin adding the supplements back more slowly until the recommended doses are reached. Diarrhea can be the result of the magnesium in the Active Calcium or by the Proflavanol. Again, this is usually a mild reaction and will improve over the first week or two. However, some of my patients need to discontinue the Active Calcium and/or the Proflavanol until this settles down. I then have them slowly add back the Proflavanol and eventually the Active Calcium.

Increasing dietary fiber may also increase the amount of intestinal gas and the frequency of bowel movements. This will improve with time as the body adjusts to the higher intake of fiber, but is an important aspect of getting rid of the toxins, which have accumulated in the body.

Natural Relaxation Response:

A small percentage of patients develop a natural relaxation response when minerals are absorbed into their body. This is of great concern to those patients who have just been told that nutritional supplementation will help improve their energy level. They take the supplements as recommended only to find themselves more fatigued and dragging themselves through their day. If you experience this response, I recommend that you take all of your minerals (including the Active Calcium) with a light bedtime snack. This allows you to take advantage of your body’s response while getting a good night’s sleep.

Stomach Upset:

A small percentage of patients have difficulty tolerating vitamin C. It can cause an upset stomach that will usually become evident a couple days after starting their nutritional program. With USANA’s specially combined vitamin C into Poly C, I have seen many of people who could not previously tolerate any nutritional supplements do very well with USANA’s Mega Antioxidant. However, if nausea is experienced, I suggest taking one Mega Antioxidant with the largest meal. Once this level of supplementation is better tolerated, I suggest slowly adding another Mega Antioxidant to the next largest meal. I anticipate building them up to the recommended level of supplementation, but sometimes this is just not possible. For those extremely sensitive, I advise using Body Rox (the teenage dose of Antioxidants and Minerals) as the best alternative option.

Taking Your Supplements with Your Medication

I am often asked, "Can I take my nutritionals with my medication?" To this I respond with this question, "Can you eat?" I hope my point is made gently but clearly—nutritional supplements simply contain nutrients we should be getting from our foods, but at levels we can no longer obtain from our foods. If you can eat anything, you can also take nutritional supplements. The only exception to this is for those taking the medication, Coumadin (Warfarin), which blocks vitamin K in the body as a way of thinning the blood. If a patient is on Coumadin, I recommend he or she take the Canadian Essentials and Canadian Active Calcium because they contain no vitamin K. Also, patients who are on thyroid medication should take their medication on an empty stomach at least 1 hour prior to meals or prior to taking supplements. Thyroid medication should not be taken with food or with supplements because calcium can block the absorption of the medication.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to make this web site as accurate as possible. The purpose of this site is to educate and inform. As such it is based on scientific evidence and my clinical training and experience. No individual should at any time use the information found on this web site for self-diagnosis, treatment, or justification in accepting or declining any medical therapy for any health problems or diseases. Any application of the advice herein is at the reader’s own discretion and risk. Therefore, any individual who has a specific health problem or is taking medications must first seek advice from his or her personal physician or healthcare provider before starting a nutritional supplement program. Dr. Strand shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to loss, damage, or injury caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this web site. We assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. Any slights of people, places, or organizations are unintentional.