Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is most common in overweight or obese individuals, the elderly and people of African American, Native American, Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander descent. In this metabolic disorder, the body produces very little or no insulin, or the cells of the body become desensitized to this hormone. Insulin is needed to transport sugar, or glucose, from food you eat into the muscles and tissues, where it is transformed into energy. When the glucose doesn't get absorbed, it builds up in the bloodstream and damages the body in various ways. Diabetes requires varying types of treatment that might include nutrition, medicine and insulin injections. There are also several herbal supplements that help to reduce blood sugar levels.
Step 1
Take approximately 1 gram of cinnamon per day in supplement form or as powdered cinnamon. A study published in the medical journal "Diabetes" reported that this herb reduced fasting blood glucose levels by up to 29 percent by making the body cells more sensitive to insulin. Add cinnamon to food and drinks to improve energy production from glucose and treat diabetes symptoms.
Step 2
Take the herbal supplement Indian Kino extract as directed on the product label. This herb is popularly used in Southeast Asia for the treatment of diabetes. It is thought to help regenerate or maintain beta cells in the pancreas gland, which secretes insulin.
Step 3
Take 500 mg of the herbal extract gymnema, or gurmar, daily. This herb helps promote insulin production by the pancreas to help lower blood glucose levels and decrease cravings for sweets and other carbohydrates.
Step 4
Take 50 to 60 ml of bitter melon juice daily or take a supplement of this herb as directed on the bottle. This tropical herb helps lower blood glucose levels by decreasing how fast carbs from foods are broken down and increasing the uptake of blood sugar by body cells.
Tips and Warnings
- Eating a diet high in fiber also helps control diabetes symptoms and the progression of this disease. Add raw fruit and vegetables to your diet and decrease or eliminate processed foods, white rice and white pastas.
- Diabetes is a potentially serious illness that can lead to health complications, including nerve damage and cardiovascular disease, which can lead to blindness and amputations. It is important to have regular medical checkups and follow your doctor's treatment guidelines. Herbal supplements should not replace prescribed medications. Consult your doctor before taking herbal medications for any reason.
Things You'll Need
- Cinnamon supplements
- Powdered cinnamon
- Bitter melon extract
- Indian kino extract
- Gurmar extract
References
- American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Basics Type 2
- DiabetesMellitus-Information.com: Herbs for Diabetes
- DiabetesHealth.com: Chinese Herbs Show Promise for Diabetes Prevention
- Diabetes Care Journal: Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of People With Type 2 Diabetes
- HolisticOnline.com: Herbs for Diabetes
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