A Basic Guide to Diabetes, its Relationship with the Gallbladder, and Natural Ways to Control Diabetes the Gallbladder-friendly Way
There is nothing sweet about diabetes; in fact, some refer to it as a “silent killer”. Not only can this pandemic make a patient suffer and deteriorate slowly, it can also drain the whole family of financial resources due to healthcare costs that may have to be borne for a long period. Diabetes also has a long list of related disorders and complications, so once you have it, you can never be too complacent that everything is under control. For example, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness and amputation in the United States. The risk of developing cardiovascular diseases is much higher for diabetics. It also impacts numerous bodily systems –nervous, digestive, urinary, and biliary system, including the gallbladder. According to 2015 statistics, about 30.3 million Americans are suffering from the disease. This makes diabetes the 7th leading cause of death in the country.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes, commonly referred to as diabetes mellitus, is a metabolism disorder that affects the way our body maintains and manages glucose or sugar. This compound serves as our principal source of “fuel”. A hormone called insulin is crucial for the conversion of glucose into energy. Sadly in diabetics, insulin production is either absent or inadequate. It is also possible that the body’s cells are no longer responding properly to the hormone. Therefore, glucose remains in the blood instead of being used up as energy, thus the high blood sugar levels.
There are three major types of diabetes – type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. The first type is also called insulin-dependent diabetes because people with type 1 do not have the ability to produce insulin at all. Type 1 patients usually develop the condition before turning 40, thus the term juvenile diabetes.
Type 2 patients, on the other hand, do not have sufficient insulin for proper function. Although proper diet, exercise, and losing weight can help control diabetes symptoms, type 2 diabetes is still a progressive disease, but only because compliance is not good – i.e. people want to eat what they like. And apart from that, sugar cravings rise when the glucose you do have can’t get into the cells.
As for gestational diabetes, this develops in some women during pregnancy. Depending on the measures taken to control diabetes, blood glucose levels can either go back to normal after giving birth or it may progress to type 2 diabetes.
A non-official type of diabetes that’s getting a lot more attention in recent years is called Type 1.5 diabetes or also known as Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA). Technically, it is a form of Type 1 diabetes but with some features commonly associated with Type 2 (e.g., slow onset). A patient with this condition also doesn’t fit the usual profile of Type 2 diabetics. It is possible for a person with normal weight and without any metabolic syndrome indicators to suffer LADA.
Insulin Resistance and Prediabetes
Diabetics are in a constant insulin struggle, also known as insulin resistance. This is a condition wherein a person fails to respond properly to insulin. Although it is a hallmark of patients with diabetes and prediabetes, these three terms are not synonymous.
People with insulin resistance have impaired insulin sensitivity, making the hormone less effective in doing its job. To cope, the pancreas deploys greater amounts of insulin to control blood sugar levels and energize cells. However, the cells which make the hormone wear out over time. This results in high blood glucose levels (as well as high HbA1C) – also called prediabetes and possibly, type 2 diabetes.
The Gallbladder and Diabetes Connection
People with diabetes are at greater risk of developing gallbladder diseases. As such, prophylactic cholecystectomy or emergency surgery is often recommended in patients with diabetes and gallstones, even if these are the “silent stones”. This is to prevent the higher mortality risk resulting from acute cholecystitis in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetics. Gallbladder diseases in people with diabetes are also said to be more complex and severe.
There are a few theories on how diabetes and insulin resistance affects gallbladder health but no definite cause is identified. Below are some possible explanations of how diabetes relates to gallbladder damage:
1. The Role of Inflammation
Inflammation is one of the causes of insulin resistance that may lead to type 2 diabetes. And although inflammation is the body’s normal response to ward off foreign entities and diseases, type 1 diabetes is clearly classified as an autoimmune disease. This means that the immune system of type 1 diabetics is fighting against its own body, attacking the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The classification of type 2 diabetes as an autoimmune disorder is not yet determined.
Inflammation is also one of the main causes of diabetic complications. Diabetes may cause pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. It can also lead to numerous gastrointestinal conditions and liver complications. Since the GI system, pancreas, and the liver are closely related to the gallbladder, impairment of any of the organs’ functions will definitely impact gallbladder health. Some of the gallbladder diseases that may be developed include gallstones, cholecystitis, and gallbladder polyps.
2. Obesity or Cholesterol and Triglycerides
Actually, age doesn’t have any direct relationship with either gallbladder diseases or diabetes. Rather, it is the obesity or abnormal cholesterol levels and the likelihood of older adults to develop related conditions which can increase the probability of diabetes or gallbladder diseases. People aged 40 and beyond are more likely to develop gallstones, while almost 30% of diagnosed diabetics are aged 65 and beyond. Similarly, people with diabetes generally have higher levels of triglycerides that encourage gallstone formation. Obesity is related to increased cholesterol secretion into the bile. Having said this, it is still important to note that a person may appear thin or lean and still have cholesterol soaring through the roof. Excess cholesterol can accumulate in the gallbladder leading to gallstones. In fact, a few studies have reported a two- to threefold increased incidence of gallstone formation in diabetic patients.
3. Autonomic Neuropathy (AN)
Patients with diabetes may sometimes suffer autonomic neuropathy, wherein nerve endings get damaged, and certain muscles become unresponsive to stimuli. Neurologic control of gallbladder contraction and relaxation is greatly affected when this happens. A comparative study between healthy subjects and insulin-dependent diabetes patients showed that diabetics have significantly larger fasting gallbladder volumes. These values were highly significant among patients with autonomic neuropathy. Subjects who had diabetes and AN also had larger post-fatty meal gallbladder volume, meaning that the gallbladder is not emptying well. The reduced motility of the gallbladder is further aggravated by the body’s abnormal response to gastrointestinal hormones such as cholecystokinin (CCK), motilin, and secretin. Aside from stone formation, stasis caused by AN may lead to gallbladder inflammation.
4. The FOXO1 Protein
FOXO (Forkhead box O) transcription proteins are important determinants in aging and longevity. It is also considered key regulator of insulin and insulin-like growth factor signaling. FOXO1, in particular, is regulated by insulin. Therefore, when there is not enough of that hormone in the body, FOXO1 is activated. This prompts increased cholesterol in the bile, leading to gallstone formation.
What Can Diabetics Eat? Top 5 Vegetables for Diabetes
A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is very similar to a gallbladder diet and a good guideline to anyone who wants to eat healthily – avoiding processed foods, going after healthy fats, moderating salt, cutting out sugar, etc. Nevertheless, it is worth highlighting the following items known to some as diabetic superfoods.
1. Jerusalem Artichokes
Jerusalem artichoke is a vegetable that is an important part of a diabetic diet. It is reported to decrease or eliminate the need for medicinal insulin. Eat one every other day, most often cooked and occasionally raw. Do this for 6 weeks and then take a 2 or 3-week break and start again.
2. Bitter Gourd (Bitter Melon)
This vegetable has long been used as an herbal remedy for diabetes because of three active substances that help control diabetes – charantin (to lower blood sugar levels), vicine, and polypeptide-p (an insulin-like compound). It also contains certain proteins that reduce blood glucose concentrations and suppress appetite.
3. Turmeric
There is a long list of reasons why turmeric is good for the gallbladder. It also benefits diabetics in three ways. Firstly, curcumin in turmeric reduces glucose production in the liver and stimulates insulin secretion while improving pancreatic cell functions. Secondly, turmeric fights inflammation. Lastly, it helps arrest the progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.
4. Apples
They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. It is more than just an adage. In fact, the Harvard School of Public Health concluded in their analysis of over 200,000 subjects that those who ate five or more apples a week had a 23 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. But remember, this is the whole apple with the fiber, not apple juice.
5. Garlic
A number of compounds (allicin, allyl propyl disulfide, and S-allyl cysteine sulfoxide) found in garlic can help raise insulin levels in the blood through the prevention of the liver’s inactivation of insulin. Aside from that, it can potentially stop or control some complications of diabetes as well as help in the reduction of blood cholesterol and improve blood flow. This makes it a great food for gallbladder patients as well. NOTE: Some people with gallbladder problems cannot take garlic. Start slowly and watch for your own reactions.
Natural Diabetes Supplements
Just as with any medical condition, our bodies can use some help by boosting nutritional support. Natural diabetes supplements such as those enumerated below can help control blood glucose levels and contribute to the prevention of diabetes-related complications.
1. Glycosolve 500 mg Berberine 60 caps
It has been suggested that berberine found in Glycosolve works on balancing blood sugar levels in three ways: 1) by inhibiting the absorption of sugar from the intestinal tract, 2) by enhancing the production of insulin, and 3) by reducing glucose production in the liver.
Glycosolve with pure berberine HCl was developed as a natural option for blood sugar and cholesterol control. It also contains banaba leaf extract, making it ideal for diabetics and gallbladder patients alike.
2. Dyglofit
This patented extract of Dichrostachys glomerata fruit (also known as the sickle bush) was specially made to support metabolism and fat loss, and balance blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Dyglofit, found in multiple supplements on the market today, helps normalize leptin levels for appetite control. It also targets belly fat for better body symmetry.
Diabetes may be a lifelong condition, and there’s no easy way around it. However, a life with diabetes can still be whole and pleasant. Just maintain a healthy lifestyle, stick with the right foods, and consistently help your body with natural diabetes supplements. You can avoid complications and enjoy a good life ahead.
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References
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