Understanding Diabetes, Diabetic Neuropathy and Seal Oil Omega-3
According to Health Canada in 2008/09, diabetes was affecting over 2.4 million Canadians, a 70% increase over 10 years earlier. Stepping forward to today, Diabetes Canada claims there are 11 million people with diabetes and prediabetes. Even with my background in diabetes, I was familiar with other terms but not diabetic neuropathy.
Published Statement: ‘The Canadian Diabetes Association became Diabetes Canada on February 13, 2017 to shed light on the diabetes epidemic Canada is facing. It’s taking a monumental toll on our health. Now is the time to do more – much more. By speaking with a stronger, clearer voice, Diabetes Canada will raise the profile of diabetes and bring more Canadians to our cause.’ Diabetes.ca
The burden of diabetes is a serious one. Aside from economic burden, the more serious burden for those with diabetes is the implication of premature death. Many complications are associated with diabetes such as blindness and amputation but the leading complication associated is diabetic neuropathy.
What is diabetes and neuropathy? What are the two medical interventions being used to manage these? Let’s explore the answers to these questions along with some groundbreaking research presented at the International Congress of Neuropathy hosted in Toronto July 2016 (Dr. Vera Bril, Toronto General Hospital).
What is Diabetes?
For starters, the blood requires a certain amount of blood sugar or glucose. Our blood sugar goes up when we eat food. Insulin is responsible for bringing down the blood sugar to a normal range.
Diabetes is a diagnosed condition where the blood sugar is too high, which is damaging to our body hence the complications. If insulin isn’t produced, the blood sugars remain high causing frequent urination, excessive thirst, even a drunken state, to perhaps a diabetic coma.
There are two common types of diabetes, Type 1 (juvenile) and Type 2 (adult onset now including children). Type 1 is where the body isn’t producing enough insulin. Whereas Type 2 is high blood sugar or the body cannot properly use the insulin. Type 2 has been tied to poor eating habits and genetics whereas Type 1 to an autoimmune disorder.
Leading Complication Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage causing a person to experience much pain similar to pins and needles. Most commonly the pain occurs in the hands and feet.
The two key diabetic interventions are taking insulin pills or needles to manage the blood sugar levels. The second is taking pain medication but this does not address the nerve damage or diabetic neuropathy (DSP).
Shining Research Results
Initially the doctors thought that there was nothing to help with the neuropathy. In 2015, a Toronto hospital and the University of Toronto began a diabetic neuropathy study using Auum Omega 3 seal oil. They assumed since omega-3 is a nutrient for every nerve, it may slow down the progression or reverse some of the nerve damage.
The researchers structured the study results to measure against the length of the nerve fibre in the eye as it shortens over time in people with diabetes (leading to blindness), and is also used as a marker for future amputation (a traumatic experience).
After one year on 10 ml of the Auum Omega 3 seal oil, the nerve fibre length increased on average 29% (Canadian Journal of Diabetes October 2016). This dramatically exceeded all of their expectations as the doctors only expected a 5% improvement. Why this dramatic result?
Why the Doctors Chose the Auum Omega 3 Seal Oil?
Their study concluded that the type of omega administered was in fact the contributor to the remarkable results. When comparing Auum Omega 3 seal oil to fish and plant omega-3 sources there are multiple differences and one of the key differentiators between fish and plant to Auum Omega 3 seal oil is that the seal oil is a mammalian source similar to what is already found in our body (and in mother’s breast milk) making it bio-available, recognized by the body and therefore sublingual (under the tongue). Both fish and plant sources of omega-3 are not mammalian making them less bio-available/low absorption.
Additionally Auum Omega 3 seal oil is not highly processed or refined so when absorbed sublingually under the tongue it bypasses the unpredictable digestive system and straight into the bloodstream unlike refined seal oil. For many if not all diseases, there is a dysfunctioning digestive system.
Considerations and Conclusions
The diabetic neuropathy research results have provided a conclusive way to help individuals with improving and managing their associated pain, which is a remarkable step forward. Furthermore, nerve damage, pain and Auum Omega 3 seal oil can not only play a role for those with diabetes as nerve damage or neuropathy happens with other conditions such as cancer treatment neuropathy (referring to the McGill University research with Auum Omega 3), etc. Nerves are important to everyone’s health, including mental function, MS and sports performance. Our preventive health focus should include maintaining healthy nerves. The remarkable results of the initial study have inspired doctors to further invest in research (5-7 years).
Healthy Diet and Lifestyle
We must also consider the impact of a healthy diet and lifestyle. All Canadians can benefit from a healthy lifestyle including proper exercise and whole food nutrition and supplementation. These are a must for anyone with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. If reversing the nerve damage is possible through supplementation of Auum Omega 3 seal oil we have to believe that if a person focuses on a healthy diet which would include cutting out sugar, refined carbohydrates and fats, etc. even more is possible.
With the continued work of Diabetes Canada and our personal commitment to do our part to live healthy, educate ourselves and continue to learn, we are on the right path to living our best life and perhaps one day sooner than later eradicating diabetes.
Cheryl Millett BSc is a consultant, Holistic Nutritionist, Founder of the Forest Hill Walk Club and Chapter President of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce, Toronto. Her specialty is diabetes, digestion and stress management with a focus on Auum Omega 3 education and sales.
Millett was fifteen years on the volunteer committee for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Corporate Stationary Bike-a-thon. One year on the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Toronto Board before they restructured from JDF to JDRF.
References
https://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-and-you/complications
http://www.canadianjournalofdiabetes.com/article/S1499-2671(16)30495-6/abstract
Cheryl Millett
Champion for your better health…
Before the age of 20, it never dawned on me that what I chose to put in my mouth would have such a dramatic effect on my wellbeing.
On my path of discovery, I learned that our eating choices directly affected how much energy we have first thing in the morning or that it would build our immune system strength during flu season. Part of it was coming to understand how gentle nutritional cleansing directly helped overcome my health challenges. People keep telling me how beautiful my skin is or how I look younger.
As my studies continued, it became obvious that there is an intrinsic connection between the mind, body and spirit which directly affects our health and happiness. Also learned that Omegas are another critical piece of the wellness puzzle. I became convinced when the Auum omegas alone turned on some switches in my brain in just one day.
I have developed a deep appreciation for the wonderful miracle workers our bodies are in the recovery process. Our bodies have a natural intelligence. I am passionate to share the connection between nutrition and wellness in my practice and my presentations.
