Abstract
Homo Sapiens is considered to be adapted to a Paleolithic hunter-gatherer diet, and was present in anatomically modern form more than 100,000 years before the adoption of agriculture. The causative factors for non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) relate to adopting Western dietary standards based on abundant, processed agricultural foods. Ethnic minorities adopting Western diets have uniform increases in NIDDM incidence, but there are also intrinsic differences in NIDDM incidence between various ethnic groups. Insulin sensitivity correlates positively with membrane unsaturation and omega3/omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in phospholipids, and negatively with intramuscular triglyceride and central obesity. Omega-3 PUFA supplementation is recommended for NIDDM, including long-chain PUFA. Chromium (Cr) is required for normal insulin function; however, we require more Cr than is provided by the typical Western diet. Cr supplementation well above the Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary Intake (ESADDI) of 50-200 mcg/day may be required to prevent and treat NIDDM. In the past, Cr dietary availability is likely to have been higher, yet requirements lower. In plant foods, many biologically active phytochemicals are bitter or astringent, so many plants have been bred to contain lower levels. Simultaneously, these food have become sweeter and less fibrous. Hence, consuming modern produce is not equivalent to consuming the wild precursors. Herbal products can provide these phytochemicals and fibers. Many botanical products have benefits for controlling diabetes beyond the inhibition of glucose absorption, including stimulating insulin secretion and/ or action, improving insulin binding, improving capillary function, and preventing PUFA peroxidation. (Alt Med Rev 1997;2(5):378-399)