According to the Diabetic Association of Greater Cleveland, 23.6 million people or 7.8% of the population of the United States have diabetes. Diabetes is a leading cause of adult blindness, lower-limb amputation, kidney disease and nerve damage.
Know the Signs
The first sign of diabetes is elevated blood sugar levels. This happens when the body does not produce enough insulin (type I Diabetes) or when the body cannot properly use the insulin that it does produce (type II Diabetes). Elevated blood sugar is not something that can be detected except by blood tests. There are other signs that point to elevated blood sugar levels that can be detected:
- extreme thirst
- fatigue
- frequent urination
- excessive hunger
- sudden weight loss
- tingling in extremities
Natural Diabetes Treatment
Since insulin is the regulatory hormone for blood sugar levels and it is produced in the pancreas, then pancreatic health is of the utmost importance in controlling and treating diabetes. These herbal/natural treatments are designed to aid in insulin production and to help the body’s cells to better utilize the insulin produced.
Aloe Vera
Most widely known and used to treat burns, aloe vera can also be used to lower blood sugar levels and increase the cells’ ability to absorb insulin. Aloe vera can be taken in pill form or as juice.
Coenzyme Q10
Also know as CoQ10, this supplement has been successfully used in clinical trials to help manage heart health, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure in diabetic patients. Heart health is vitally important for those with diabetes as diabetes can cause muscle damage.
Indian Kino or Malabar Kino
The heartwood of the Indian Kino tree has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat diabetes. No other herbal supplement or drug known to actually regenerate functional pancreatic beta cells, except the Indian Kino.
Gymnema Sylvestre
This particular supplement has a two-fold affect on diabetes. First, it helps the pancreas produce insulin for type II diabetic patients. Second, it improves the function of insulin in lowering blood sugar levels for type I diabetic patients. As an added benefit Gymnema Sylvestre decreases sweet cravings.
Blueberry Leaves
Blueberry leaves have a long history as a treatment for diabetes. It is said that the effects of one dose of blueberry leaf decoction can last several weeks.
Cinnamon
This common household spice is touted to be able to triple the efficiency of insulin in the body. In a 2003 Pakistani study, cinnamon was given to a group of 60 people around the age of 50. The results were that blood sugar levels were lowered by 18 to 29 percent.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek may increase insulin receptors thereby improving the utilization of insulin in peripheral tissues. It is also said to decrease insulin resistance in cells so that insulin can be absorbed and used to lower blood sugar levels.
These herbs can be used alone or in a combination. A homeopath or naturopath practitioner will be able to formulate the correct combination for any diabetic’s individual needs.
Certain prescription and over the counter drugs may have negative interactions with herbal and/or natural supplements. A practitioner should be consulted before taking any dietary supplements.
Cyndi Brandon - Natural health and alternative healing methods are my first area of writing expertise. A self-taught natural health advisor to family and ...
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