ABSTRACT
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................169 Rise in Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes among Native Americans: Historic Evidence and Modern Trends..........................................................................................170 Plants Used for the Treatment of Diabetes in North America......................................................171 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................................174 References ......................................................................................................................................175
Diabetes is a term given to an assemblage of medical disorders characterized by a state of altered metabolism. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, typified by insulin resistance or deficiency, is the most prevalent form of this disease in North America. Within the last several decades, the number of individuals in North America suffering from type 2 diabetes has risen markedly1,2; a disproportionate increase has been observed among Native American populations.3-5 Several pharmaceutical agents have been developed to help diabetic patients cope with the disease, but all of these products produce a variety of undesirable side effects. It is essential that new therapeutic agents are identified to help deal with this disease.
