Acai and Diabetes
Before it’s discussed in detail about the acai and diabetes lets cover the basics of type 1 & 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes (formerly known as "childhood" or "insulin-dependent" diabetes) is an autoimmune disease that results in the permanent destruction of insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas. Basically the pancreas looses its ability to produce insulin.
Type 1 is lethal unless treatment with exogenous insulin via injections replaces the missing hormone. It is more severe than type 2 diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), obesity-related diabetes, or adult-onset diabetes) is a metabolic disorder that is primarily characterised by insulin resistance, relative insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia. It is often managed by engaging in exercise and modifying one's diet. This disease used to be seen primarily in adults over age 45, in contrast to Diabetes mellitus type 1, it is now increasingly seen in children and adolescents, an increase thought to be linked to rising rates of obesity in this age group, although it remains a minority of cases.
Acai and Diabetes - How does the Acai help?
Both types of diabetes can be linked with inflammation, oxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction and toxicity of the cell membranes resulting in pancreatic dysfunction and in some cases insulin resistance. Acai juice can help restore the function to the cell by correcting those issues with its high content of antioxidants and anti inflammatory nutrients. Acai juice has the ability to enhance detoxification pathways in the liver, intestines, kidneys and skin.
If you are a diabetic you may be worried about the elevation of blood sugar levels that is associated with eating fruit. In actual fact drinking Acai juice reduces the amount of sugar present in the bloodstream reducing the vast number of complications seen in diabetics. The misconception about fruit leaves people lacking in antioxidants that are essential to build and fuel cell membranes.
The structure and function of cell membranes is extremely important for cells receptors to successfully receive the messages generated from other cells. A classic example of "failure to communicate" at the cellular level is insulin resistance. When insulin finds the receptors the cell membrane is somewhat unresponsive when then can trigger an assortment of disease ("Second world congress on the insulin resistance syndrome," J.Diabetes Care 2005;28:2073).
As stated above acai juice can help control your sugar levels but NEVER stop taking any medication or insulin with out seeking the advice of a health care professional. Some people have continued their medication and started drinking acai juice. Overall it is believed that there is a positive association with the acai and diabetes.