If you are one of the more than 500 million people worldwide afflicted with diabetes, you probably are also aware that it is a disease that knows no age discrimination. It’s shows up for you and old, and those in between. Although most forms of diabetes lack a cure and are chronic, lasting a lifetime, you can take some comfort in knowing that all types – Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease – are at least manageable with medications, lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, blood sugar monitoring, and natural remedies.
What Causes Diabetes?
Too much sugar in your body is the culprit behind diabetes, although that might actually be too broad a statement that begs further context and clarification. Diabetes is a health condition attributed to an excess of blood sugar, aka glucose, in your body, sourced mainly from the carbohydrates via the food and drinks you ingest.
Diabetes develops either when your pancreas is no longer able to manufacture sufficient insulin or when your body starts failing to properly respond to insulin. The key here is insulin, an “essential hormone” that works inside your body to help convert food into energy while also maintaining blood glucose at healthy levels.
Should your blood glucose level remain elevated for too long a time, the resulting damage to your blood vessels and nerves can over time wreak havoc on your body’s tissues and organs, increasing the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke, among other life-threatening conditions. Earlier symptoms of diabetes can include fatigue and frequent thirst and/or hunger which can be easily overlooked or rationalized away.
6 Natural Remedies to Help Mitigate High Blood Sugar
There are numerous prescription medications available to treat elevated blood glucose levels, and numerous natural remedies can help as well. Nutritional supplements and herbs have shown evidence of success in thwarting or mitigating diabetes symptoms, although ample caution and care should be exercised. If you are already on a prescribed medication for elevated blood sugar, do not consider quitting the medication and replacing it with natural remedies without consultation with your personal physician or other appropriately licensed healthcare professional.
That said, following are six natural remedies, listed alphabetically, worth your (and your doctor’s) consideration and consultation:
Aloe vera. Mention aloe vera to anyone who spends lots of time in the sun, and they will likely acknowledge its value in treating skin damaged from the sun. Aloe vera has also been shown to slow the progress of type 2 diabetes thanks to its antioxidant status, which researchers have linked to this plant’s knack for protecting and even repairing beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
Chromium. Typically found in brewer’s yeast, chromium plays a key role in contributing to the metabolism of glucose. Evidence suggests that a sufficient level of chromium in the body has been linked to reduced (i.e., healthier) blood sugar and A1c levels.
Cinnamon. This spice goes at diabetes in a different manner than other supplements listed here. Cinnamon’s sweet taste makes it a terrific sugar-free substitute for use in sweets, baked goods and the occasional savory dish. Cinnamon bark also supports healthy glucose metabolism.
Fenugreek. The soluble fiber found in this spice/herb has been shown to inhibit your digestive system’s absorption of ingested sugar, thus helping to regulate blood sugar levels.
Gymnema sylvestre. This handy herb, predominantly sourced from India and long used in Ayurvedic medicine, merits attention here. Why? Its name translates to “sugar destroyer.”
Zinc. Zinc is well-known for its provision of variety of health benefits, such as bolstering your immune system. What you might not have known about is zinc’s association with warding off diabetes. In fact, zinc can induce beta cells in the pancreas to produce insulin while also helping insulin receptors process the insulin. Furthermore, some studies have shown that the occurrence of diabetes is often accompanied by a zinc deficiency. Coincidence? Unlikely.
Left untreated and unchecked, chronic diabetes can prove to be a death sentence for those afflicted with the disease, but there are many types of natural remedies such as supplements and herbs that can help control blood glucose levels. Be sure to consult your personal physician for advice on how (or how not) to proceed with the use of any such supplements.