Vegi Voices:

Ridding Diabetes

Michael was digging into his second large bowl of freshly prepared fruit salad and enjoyed every sweet mouthful. It was a joy for me to see him so content and able to eat fruit freely without any trepidation as he had been previously warned against too much fruit by the local hospital’s nutrition educational program staff. This was his celebration breakfast treat to officially mark his victory in defeating Diabetes 2 for good!

At 51, ha had been diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2: during a routine check-up, his blood sugar reading was a high 16! The doctor had left an urgent message to go to the emergency ward immediately. His wife Samantha went into panic trying to locate Michael in between his many business meetings. Finally home after a typically hectic day, she broke him the news. Once reality had set in, all he could say was ”I have the sugar disease”!

Michael had been having ”sensations” in his legs for some time; his energy was way down and being overweight he simply found he couldn’t do as much as before. He figured this was simply what comes with age.

After attending all the nutritional courses, Michael was ready to embark on his new lifestyle to control his disease. Armed with his filled prescription for Glyburide (5mg twice a day) his battle plan for a healthier lifestyle seemed ready.

Samantha carefully shopped for the leanest cuts of chicken, meat and fish, preparing all these without butter. Steamed veggies were done with love; whole grain bread emphasised healthy sandwiches ... No more succulent croissants for breakfast but dry whole grain toast or low fat cereals and fruits were limited to 3 servings a day and only lowsugar ones like citrus and green apples. Samantha looked for products that were officially approved by the Diabetes Association. Diet Coke, low calorie sugar free candies would be just fine to satisfy Michael’s desire for sweets in a healthy way! The doctors and dieticians all confirmed that Michael could ”drink as much sugarfree pop as he wanted! This is one of the better things to drink to keep the blood sugar even”. What nonsense with Aspartame and Olestra being so detrimental to health and this proven scientifically!

Samantha’s tremendous effort from the heart coupled with Michael’s sincere desire to become healthier did lead to minimal improvements including a few kilos off, but Michael was always hungry. He didn’t really feel better and his energy levels were still low. At this crisis point he knew that there had to be some way to restore health. Doctor’s explanations were of no help ... Samantha had heard through the grapevine that I had good success with treating Type 2 Diabetes. During an initial meeting, she and Michael could in fact learn how to take things finally into their own hands. Samantha particularly connected with my comment that ”people can heal themselves with nutrition only”. I explained that Diabetes Mellitus can be stopped by a total revamping of lifestyle: with changes in the diet, this disease can be kept at bay and reversed for life. They were both eager to hear more.

Above all, the total elimination of meat, chicken and fish was called for. And cheese, butter, cream, milk and eggs had to go too! By eliminating all animal and dairy products and their derivates, no matter how lean, the over-consumption of protein, fat and cholesterol would be stopped. This would allow cells to become liberated of this killer combo and slowly begin to incorporate insulin properly again. A return to normal cholesterol would also lower his chances of cardiovascular disease likely culminating in a heart attack or even stroke. His liver would no longer be over-saturated with fat; his kidneys would no longer be overburdened by high protein (eg: kidney failure is 18 times more common in diabetics!) and he would also start losing weight rapidly without being rationed on food intake and portions! Regarding concerns of getting enough protein, they were pleasantly surprised to hear that there were more than enough amino acids in green leafy vegetables, that are the building blocks of protein, to amply meet any of Michael’s strength requirements. These amino acids are also much easier assimilated by our bodies so that the energy derived from them is a cleaner, higher octane fuel. Who would put diesel into a car with a gasoline engine? The damage would be immediate and the car would stop at once! BUT the human body is much better equipped: it keeps on functioning even with the wrong fuel and can tolerate abuse for a considerable time! Even more sad is the fact that most of us choose to ignore the increasingly noticeable warning signs ... until it is too late!

Highly refined and/or hydrogenated man-made foods could easily be replaced with natural oils like flax, walnut, pumpkin and sunflower; avocados and olives plentiful in the fat burning enzyme lipase would help reduce the stores of saturated fat lining the arteries: these natural plant fats are not only delicious but they protect the mucous lining and lubricate our bodies and give us glowing skin.

Michael was not thrilled to give up all the traditional foods but agreed to give it a try for a month to see what happened. Most importantly, I encouraged him to eat as many foods in their original raw state, uncooked. This would preserve enzymes in all his fresh foods and begin to rebuild his heavily depleted bodily enzyme stocks, thus re-energizing an re-vitalizing his weakened body.

Within a fortnight, Michael started to lose weight and he seemed happier and had more energy. Then I told him to start his day with fresh fruits on an empty stomach to let his body fully cleanse and absorb all nutrients from this juicy, fibre-filled delight. After trying this Michael was thrilled to start mornings with mangoes, apples and pears and wouldn’t have it any other way.

But then came the turning point when Michael called to say that he tired markedly after taking glyburide in the evenings. Indeed, I had waited for precisely that right moment to suggest lowering his daily dose by half as I had observed similar situations with other individuals making these lifestyle changes. Glyburide 5mg are grooved in the middle to facilitate re-dosing; breaking a tablet yields two tombstone shaped halves – very ironically?!

Within a short time frame, Michael had re-dosed to NO GLYBURIDE at all. Of course, we monitored Michael’s blood sugar reading regularly and saw the progress pretty quickly. Readings sunk from an 8 to 9 range to a 7, and then a 6, and then to the desirable 4.5 to 5 level. The proof was in the readings due only to nutritional changes and discipline and intelligence. Michael was delighted, and Samantha, too. The battle was won.

Michael’s doctor was totally amazed with the ”new” blood test results and could not believe that they came about with nutritional changes only and without the glyburide prescribed. In fact, the doctor was shocked that such healing was possible without common medical practices to treat diabetes. This is indicative how little the ”natural way” to cure modern diseases is encouraged by the medical establishment!

With a return to a disciplined nutrition from raw veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds, we can all enjoy a much more healthy, beautiful, pure and happy life.

Michael no longer takes medication and is thriving. With his approximately 70 to 80% raw diet, he was able to heal himself with nutrition only. Thank God for the wonderful gift of a new life, a very beautiful life!

by Mary Ziolo

Mary Ziolo is an internationally active Lifestyle Advisor and Researcher. Her bi-continental private practice, Veggie Hedge (TM), is built on the proven belief that intelligent human beings can heal and transform their physical and spiritual health through select vegetable, fruit, nuts and seeds raw food nutrition, customized to the individual’s needs. For private consultations, call her global number +1-416-599 3370.

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