The book A Patient's Guide to the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus is a 64-page compilation which I was able to speed-read in about 40 minutes. But this book, authored by family physician Dr Jacqueline Campbell, is certainly deserving of more detailed scrutiny and is an important reference text, even if for no other reason than there just aren't many patient guides written by local physicians and based on the peculiarities of Jamaica's patient population.

The guide (focusing on Type 2 diabetes) is divided into two sections - part one reviewing the disease, diabetes mellitus, and part two focusing on food and supplements and herbs used in the management of diabetes. Included in the latter section is a sample seven-day menu for persons with diabetes which appears to be useful for non-diabetics as well. The book's language is clear and accessible but not condescending. The section recommending supplements and herbs in diabetes management particularly attracted my attention. Taking into account Campbell's special interest in pharmacology and the use of alternative/complementary medicine in the treatment of disease, the inclusion of this section was not unexpected.

Herbs and supplements

"When my patients come in to see me, many of them have heard about me and come to my office (because) many don't want to be on medication. I inform them on supplements such as fish oil, chromium and magnesium, just ordinary supplements. But in right quantities, mild to moderate diabetics can (achieve) lower levels of blood sugar," Campbell said recently in an interview.

Vanadyl sulphate, alpha lipoic acid, B vitamin complex, Gymnema sylvestre and bitter melon (cerasee) are some of the other herbs and supplements recommended for use in diabetes management in the guide but Campbell said in the interview that they should be used under medical supervision. Vanadyl sulphate, for example, is described in the book as a "form of vanadium, a trace mineral, which acts in the manner that is similar to insulin". Gymnema sylvestre is described as "perhaps the most powerful herbal agent for improving blood sugar control".

Cured of diabetes

Campbell said that some patients with diabetes can be managed with diet and supplements alone while the inclusion of medication is crucial for others.

"I have patients who have been cured of diabetes and they will tell you this and, of course, I am talking here about Type 2 diabetes. There are patients, for example, if overweight, lose the weight and get back to their target weight, are mindful of what they eat and are no longer diabetic. There is one particular person ... who can have his condense milk now, of course not a whole tin," she said.

Campbell was motivated to write and publish a patient's guide on diabetes after observing increasing numbers of patients with diabetes in her Old Harbour, St Catherine, practice since opening doors in 1991. She said that in 2003, there was a 15 per cent prevalence of diabetes in her patient population but in 2008, the prevalence was 17 per cent paralleling the national statistics. Her mother was also diagnosed with diabetes and, like her patients, wanted to know more about the management of the condition. Campbell hopes that the book will contribute to patient education.

"People will say they are diabetic and they are just taking pills. They know they should watch portions and diet but don't know how and will fail if they don't know how. Hopefully, my book will help with the how," she said.

The book is available in book stores.

>> See related article 'The enemy within'.

Eulalee Thompson is health editor and a professional counsellor. Email eulalee.thompson@gleanerjm.com.