Your digestive processes turn the food you eat into glucose, a type of sugar. Insulin, a hormone released by your pancreas, signals glucose to enter your cells. Your blood glucose levels are an indication of your body's ability to produce or respond to insulin. Natural methods of reducing your blood glucose levels may be helpful. However, always discuss the risks and benefits of natural treatments with your doctor first.
High Blood Glucose
High blood glucose levels, also known as hyperglycemia, occur when your body produces insufficient amounts of insulin or your cells become insensitive to insulin and do not allow glucose inside. Other signs or symptoms that may accompany high blood glucose include increased sugar levels in your urine, frequent urination and heightened thirst. High blood glucose levels are a major cause of diabetes-related health complications.
Natural Treatments
There are many natural treatments to help reduce the amount of glucose in your blood, including herbal and non-herbal dietary supplements. Some of the most effective dietary supplements for this health purpose, notes naturopathic physician Joseph E. Pizzorno Jr., author of "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," may be chromium, garlic, onions, bitter melon, gymnema, fenugreek and ginseng. Further scientific studies may be necessary to validate these natural supplements' purported health effects.
A Popular Supplement
Ginseng, especially American ginseng, may be one of the most popular natural treatments in reducing your blood glucose levels. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that several human studies have shown American ginseng's effectiveness in reducing blood glucose levels in Type 2 diabetics. American ginseng, whose roots and root hairs are incorporated into natural supplements, has also historically been used in treating weak immune function, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and colds and flu.
Disclaimer
High levels of glucose in your blood may be indicative of a blood sugar abnormality. Diabetes is a condition that is commonly associated with high blood glucose levels. If you are a diabetic, you should monitor your blood glucose levels on a regular basis to ensure that complications associated with this condition do not arise. Natural therapies that help reduce your blood glucose levels are not without their risks, and you should always discuss their potential side effects with your physician before using them.
References
- FamilyDoctor.org: Diabetes: Monitoring Your Blood Sugar Levels
- American Diabetes Association: Living With Diabetes
- "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., N.D.; 2002
- University of Maryland Medical Center: American Ginseng
