Need Help for Diabetic Retinopathy
Would anyone have a cure or found anything to help with diabetic retinopathy? I am losing weight with fasting, low/no carb good fats high protein lots of healthy vegetables, have just started taking fenugreek tea 3 times a day plus taking taurine, lecithin, large doses vitamin c, b, d magnesium. Selenium, milk thistle, spinach.
Thank you in advance and God bless.
Belinda,
Most supplement studies in this area of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy (DR) are going to be animal studies.
Melatonin may be worthy of consideration based on the following study :
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4837288/
Here is a relevant quote from the study :
' At 12 weeks, melatonin prevented the significant decrease in the ERG a- and b-wave amplitudes under the diabetic condition. Our results suggest potent protective functions of melatonin in diabetic retinopathy. In addition to being a direct antioxidant, melatonin can exert receptor-mediated signaling effects to attenuate inflammation and oxidative stress of the retina. '
Aside from DR, it is worth mentioning that melatonin can help prevent or ameliorate other damage seen in people with diabetes such as cardiovascular disease, peripheral neuropathy and kidney disease.
Another consideration is Berberine which works against DR as described in the following study :
Here is a relevant quote from the 2020 study :
' The results suggested that BBR protected against DR by inhibiting oxidative stress and cell apoptosis via deactivation of the NF-κB signaling pathway; therefore, suggesting that BBR may serve as a promising therapeutic agent for DR. '
Berberine is already noted for helping ameliorate some symptoms of diabetes as I wrote about here :
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/berberine-for-diabetes.html
Keeping in mind that much of the damage done in diabetes originates from the high glucose levels seen in diabetics, with that thought in mind, magnesium in bioavailable forms is noted for helping to control blood sugar and I wrote about that here :
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/magnesium-for-diabetes-art-solbrig.html
While magnesium may not directly improve DR, the following study shows that magnesium deficiency may be a contributing factor to DR :
This is the study conclusion :
' Magnesium deficiency is associated with increased risk of diabetic retinopathy and poor glycemic control. Dietary supplementation may be advised to prevent such complications and improve glycemic control. '
Lastly, Astaxanthin has shown benefit for DR in some studies such as this one :
Here is a relevant quote from the study :
' Thus, it was suggested that ASX as an antioxidant possibly improved DR by the regulation of intracellular OS, which mediates pathological cell functionality (VEGF level, inflammation, and excessive cell proliferation). '
So these are a few supplements that you can discuss with your doctor to make sure they will be safe and compatible with all of your current medications. Good luck!
Art
Western Australia
12/26/2022
Thank you so much, Art.
Kentucky
12/24/2022
The Amish promote Ginkgo Comb. - Helps enhance memory and cognitive function.* Helps to support a healthy circulatory system.*(Ginkgo, Gotu Kola, Blessed Thistle).
GINGKO COMBINATION - Gingko has been clinically tested and findings reveal that long and short term memory are improved. It is also beneficial for a condition known as cerebral vascular insufficiency. It is known to help senility, Alzheimer's, dizziness, headache, lack of vigilance, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, depression, angina, and asthma. Gotu Kola reduces brain fatigue, and revitalizes worn out bodies. Mental disorders, blood pressure problems, and brain restoring powers have all been contributed to Gotu Kola. Blessed Thistle is an oxygenator to the brain, heart, lungs, and blood system. This oxygenation helps produce energy and a sense of well being, as memory and body function are aided greatly by proper oxygenation. Blessed Thistle also acts as a catalyst for all other herbs. Bad cells can not exist in an area of good oxygenation.* COMBINATION: Gingko, Gotu Kola, and Blessed Thistle.
DOSE: 40 to 80 drops (3) times per day. Children protocol: One drop per pound divided into three equal dosages.
Philippines
12/27/2022
Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), specifically arising from diabetes, causes either leakage of blood or causes occlusion(blockage) in the micro blood vessels within the eye that can lead to more severe eye problems such as glaucoma or cataract problems. This problem, therefore, can occur if the sugar is not properly regulated in the blood. If there is too much sugar in the blood, this will normally cause high blood pressure + thick blood as well as leakages/blockages that can also occur in the tiny micro-capillary vessels in the eyes.
The cure strategy for DR should mainly be dedicated to thinning the blood by reducing the sugar and fats in the blood. Removing excess blood sugar will certainly help to stop the build up of fibrin causing leakages/occlusions in the micro blood vessels of the eye.
Herbs/minerals/food used to reduce blood sugar and thin the blood, lowering BP:
Bitter Melon(Ampylaya) – Reduces blood sugar. Can be taken in capsule form or as food in your diet.
Chanca Piedra -- Take 1000 mgs capsule three times a day with meals. See this link for the full description with research:
https://www.rain-tree.com/chanca.htm
Tumeric Powder(with pepper or piperine) -- Take one 1000 mg capsule three times a day with meals. Here is a quick summary of tumeric benefit through research. Tumeric is similar to Chanca piedra and also acts as a blood purifier:
Insulin Plant(Costus Igneus) -- This plant is widely used in the Philippines where I live to help lower blood sugar levels, lower LDL and HDL and also helps you to loose weight. The Filipino way of supplementing this plant is just to eat one large leaf a day or eat a couple of the flower pods per day. But you can get this herb in capsule form. Take 500mgs to 1000mgs three times a day with meals.
Chromium Picolinate -- If you have diabetes, you can take 1000 micrograms of chromium picolinate per day with a meal. In the 1950s it was found that chromium picolinate was capable of completely resolving severe issues in people with diabetes type 2(DT2) problems. From an article by Dr Jonathan Whitaker:
"Back in the 1950s, US Department of Agriculture researchers discovered that brewer's yeast contained an unknown compound that prevented diabetes in lab animals. That compound, which they called glucose tolerance factor (GTF), was eventually identified as the biologically active form of the trace mineral chromium.
Twenty years later, a patient who was unable to eat and was being fed intravenously developed severe diabetes. Recalling the earlier animal studies, doctors added chromium to the patient's IV, and within two weeks the signs and symptoms of diabetes resolved. This led to clinical trials on supplemental chromium, demonstrating its ability to lower blood sugar in individuals with diabetes."
Source: https://www.healthydirections.com/articles/blood-sugar/chromium
Vanadyl Sulphate(Vanadium) -- The dose of Vanadyl Sulphate for diabetics is between 10 mgs to 20 mg once a day taken with meals. Please also note that the RDA set by the FDA for vanadium is ridiculously low at 1.8 mg! There are also many larger dose vanadium supplements that you can buy now on Amazon, eBay, etc that actually recommend supplementing vanadium at 20 mgs per day!
https://www.earthclinic.com/diabetes/vanadium-vanadyl-sulfate.html
Vanadium in the form of Vanadyl Sulphate is also very important for helping to resolve both diabetes type 1 and diabetes type 2. Supplementing vanadium acts like insulin in that it helps to more efficiently escort sugar from the blood into cells. Vanadium also acts to create more Beta Cells -- which helps to manufacture insulin in your pancreas, thus increasing the level of insulin production in your body(which is useful for diabetes type 1).
So as perhaps an example of a good everyday protocol for diabetic retinopathy, I would probably take the following herbs/minerals on a daily basis in the amounts stated below:
Chanca piedra or Tumeric capsules: Supplement 1000 mgs 3 times a day with all meals.
Chromium Picolinate: Supplement 1000 micrograms once a day with a meal.
Vanadyl Sulfate: Supplement 10mg to 20mg of Vanadyl Sulfate per day(as needed).
Also please take note that I have read several pieces of research in the past(research from the 1950s that is no longer accessible!) where diabetics were actually cured(i.e. they stopped taking all their diabetic drug meds) after taking these vanadium and chromium supplements for a few months. So make absolutely sure that you supplement Vanadyl Sulfate and Chromium Picolinate as advised.
And finally, if I had diabetic retinopathy, I would probably additionally also supplement the Nattokinase enzyme -- at 4000 FU taken twice a day -- morning and evening -- always outside mealtimes. This enzyme dissolves fibrin and clots that can cause occlusions or leakages in peripheral blood vessels or capillaries. That's also why taking Nattokinase should help to resolve diabetic neuropathy at the extremities in the hands and feet as well.
