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Diabetes Remedies
Diabetes remedies you can do from home!
Are you ready to learn how to Reverse Diabetes Naturally? This page is full of simple, straight-forward home remedies for controlling and even reversing your diabetes.
Diabetes doesn't have to be a life sentence. You can take your health in your own hands! Let's get started!
We have been led to believe that Type 2 Diabetes is an inherited disease that we cannot avoid.
Conventional thinking about diabetes assumes that if you have inherited the genes associated with diabetes, then you are doomed to get diabetes.
But genetic research has shown that genes can be turned on and off by our lifestyle choices.
So even if you have a family history of diabetes, you can prevent or reverse diabetes by changing the way you treat your body.
My intention is to give you all the tools you need to make this happen in your life!
If you are struggling with Type 2 diabetes, or if you are facing the implications of pre-diabetes, you are not alone.
Type 2 diabetes is so widespread now. Almost 10% of the U.S. population has diabetes, and over 35% of the US population has pre-diabetes. That means that almost half of the population in the United States alone either has diabetes or is at risk of developing diabetes.
The rest of the world is also seeing a rise in this debilitating disease.
Globally, over 370 million people have diabetes. Half of those suffering from diabetes around the world don't even know they have the disease, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/371-million-people-have-diabetes-globally-about-half-undiagnosed/)
The good news about diabetes is that is completely reversible if you are willing to make changes in your lifestyle. That means learning about and implementing these diabetes remedies consistently in your life.
You don't get diabetes because of bad luck. You earn diabetes through years of poor choices.
But that is great news because that means you are in control of the situation.
If you caused your diabetes, then you can un-cause your diabetes.
I am not saying it will be easy. If you have diabetes, then you have developed some bad habits and possibly some food addictions.
These habits and addictions stubbornly resist change.
But you can do it with the application of your willpower and your desire to succeed.
You are going to learn about a lot of powerful diabetes remedies that can dramatically improve your symptoms.
But please keep in mind that true reversal of diabetes requires long-term habit changes, and there are no quick fixes if you want to reverse any illness.
Important Note: If you do consistently apply the diabetes remedies discussed here, then over time you will need to reduce your insulin and other diabetes medications over time. Please find an open-minded medical practitioner who is willing to work with you and monitor you during this process. Keep a close check on your blood sugar. If you are taking insulin now, you will need less (and eventually you might need none at all) as you get your blood sugar levels under control naturally. It is extremely important that you do this safely.
Now let us make one thing clear, the focus of this article is type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes). However, these diabetes remedies can greatly improve the health of a type 1 diabetic. If you are a type I diabetic and you try these recommendations, please work with an open-minded health professional to keep an eye on your insulin levels.
Regular application of these principles may require a reduction in the amount of insulin you are taking, so it is very important to monitor your levels as you make these changes.
The Most Important Diabetes Remedy of All
Can you guess what causes diabetes? (Hint: It's What You Are Eating!)
Why is type 2 diabetes so rampant, especially in the good ol’ US of A? You don’t have to look too much farther than the state of our diets, lack of exercise, constant stress, toxicity, obesity, etc.
We are now living in a culture of excess, and it is catching up to us. But you may already have some idea that eating junk food and avoiding exercise can contribute to diabetes.
There is absolutely no doubt that diabetes is caused by what you eat. Period.
However, you may not know that one of the biggest contributors to diabetes is misinformation. The common belief is that sugar is the cause of diabetes. But that is not accurate. There is more to the story ... and no one is talking about.
If you don't know what is really causing your body's cells to become resistant to insulin, then how are you going to fix it?
We must address this issue if you truly want to reverse your diabetes. Without major dietary changes, the specific herbs I will tell you about on this page will only be able to do damage control.
Can herbs help improve the symptoms of your diabetes? Yes, they absolutely can. But if you also create an environment inside your body that promotes healing, by changing your diet and increasing your physical activity, the herbs can do so much more.
So I highly recommend that you go to our diet and diabetes page and read it several times. Implement the recommendations. And learn about the truth that has been hidden from you.
A healthy diet is the ultimate diabetes remedy! Click here to go to our diabetes diet page, to learn even more about what foods you should be eating to reverse diabetes, and which foods you should be eliminating, and why.
Busting the Myths.... Sugar does not cause diabetes. Check out this you-tube video to learn more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSc7OfJUHr0
Exercise -- A Powerful Diabetes Remedy
So you've made changes to your diet .... you are eating healthier foods and cutting out the unhealthy foods. There is still another major step to take that will make a huge difference in your blood sugar levels and your waistline.
That's right ... it's time to find the best exercise program for you.
I know ... you have probably tried many exercise programs in the past ... and the very idea of exercise might make you feel frustrated.
But I would like for you to keep an open mind and consider that maybe the exercise programs you were trying just weren't the right one for you.
I would like to introduce you to a powerful exercise program that only takes 15 minutes a day, is not overly strenuous and will produce powerful results in your body.
Click here to learn more about T-Tapp!
Anytime we move our bodies and do some form of physical work it helps our insulin work better. Things like our blood pressure, cholesterol, chances of cancer, and yes, blood sugar are all affected by exercise.
If you would like to delve deep into this subject and thoroughly educate yourself on the role exercise plays in controlling and reversing diabetes, click here. I have put together a whole page dedicated to the role exercise plays in controlling and reversing diabetes.
Click here to watch my YouTube video on how to exercise for health and longevity.
Remedies for Type 2 Diabetes
Drum roll, please!!! Now that we have laid down a solid foundation via diet and physical activities, we can look at some of the most powerful diabetes remedies.
There are many diabetes remedies to choose from, so get ready!
1. Berberine --Studies have shown that berberine regulates blood sugar as well as metformin, but with fewer and less pleasant side effects. What more could you ask for in a diabetes remedy?
What is berberine? Berberine is a compound found in numerous herbs. Some of the herbs that contain berberine are goldenseal, Oregon grape root, and barberry.
Berberine is known for its:
antimicrobial properties
anti-inflammatory properties
improvements in gut health
liver protection.
All of these qualities alone would be beneficial to someone with diabetes. But recent research has shed light on berberine's ability to help regulate blood sugar.
Berberine regulates blood sugar as well as metformin, but with fewer and less pleasant side effects. Not to mention all pharmaceuticals that help lower blood sugar will eventually stop working and they do nothing to prevent diabetic complications.
A study with 36 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics put berberine to the test against metformin. Two groups were randomly assigned to receive either metformin or berberine. It was a 3-month-long trial. The results found berberine to have similar blood sugar-lowering effects to metformin.
The berberine group experienced significant decreases in A1C, fasting blood glucose, after-meal blood glucose, and lower triglycerides. Berberine also has properties that metformin doesn’t have, like parasite control. So take that, metformin!
2. Garlic -- Garlic is one of the most powerful and useful herbs known to man. Garlic is anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-cancer, lowers blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, and ... you guessed it ... lowers blood sugar.
One of the ways garlic works is by making the body more sensitive to insulin and by reducing the oxidative stress in the body. Garlic also helps the pancreas produce and release more insulin. That makes garlic a must-have diabetes remedy.
Garlic also helps improve other risk factors that most diabetics have, such as high cholesterol, fructosamine [another test to determine long-term glucose control], and glycated hemoglobin [yet another test to determine long-term blood glucose control].
Some studies use garlic supplements, but eating garlic in its raw or cooked form works just as well. 3 cloves a day should be a good start.
Garlic can also help protect the diabetic's heart against cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy inflames the heart’s tissues, which leads to a weakened heart.
So as you can see, garlic can easily be considered one of the most important and useful herbs known to mankind. Even vampires won’t mess with you if you eat enough.
3. Green beans -- What? Green beans are a diabetes remedy? Absolutely! In fact, green beans are legendary for their blood sugar-lowering abilities. There is research showing the power of all kinds of beans to help maintain healthy blood sugar. But green beans seem to be exceptionally good at it.
Green beans have in fact helped many diabetics control their blood sugar drastically.
According to Gabriel Cousins, a medical doctor who runs a diabetes reversal retreat, green beans contain hormone substances that are closely related to insulin.
Some say that if you eat a serving close to bedtime, your morning blood sugar will be more stable. If you are already measuring your blood sugar, you can try this experiment for yourself.
4. Beans -- While we are on the subject of beans, let us talk about all of the other delicious beans out there that work wonders as a diabetes remedy.
Beans are a powerful and healthy way to control your blood sugar, and they are tasty to boot (and they may even make you poot ... ok a corny joke, I couldn't resist.)
Beans of all varieties are high in fiber, which means they digest slowly. This slow digestion is what helps keep blood sugar stable. Beans eaten long term can help improve A1C levels.
Some beans work better than others. Pinto, chickpeas, and black beans are some of the best performers, but all beans work on some level.
Beans also have another unique superpower. Beans have the ability to lower the blood sugar response to other foods like bread if eaten together.
But there's more! Beans can even help control the glycemic index of the meal that comes after the meal that contained the beans!
In one scientific study, individuals ate beans four hours before a high glycemic meal that did not include beans. The beans from four hours earlier still blunted the effect of the high GI meal on blood sugar. It is called the second-meal effect. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21957874].
But there's more! Beans also reduce risk factors for heart disease and kidney failure.
So there you have it, beans are absolutely a healthy food. Don't be misled by the fad diets on the market today. Your body loves beans.
Beans are high in fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. And the dishes that can be created with them are countless. So it is time to get a little more beans in your life.
5. Cucumbers -- Scientific studies indicate that cucumbers can help lower blood sugar.
One study used an extract of cucumber seeds. Diabetic rats were used in the study. The cucumber seed extract was given to the rats for a period of 9 days with significant blood sugar lowering effect.
The second study used the pulp of cucumber. Again this study also used diabetic rats. The researchers used the cucumber pulp in one group, and the blood sugar-lowering drug glibenclamide in the second group.
The rats in the cucumber group had a reduction of blood sugar readings from 231 to 82. The drug group experienced a blood sugar reduction from 189 to 61.
Now I know that you are not a rat, but cucumber had a great effect on blood sugar. If you are keeping track of your insulin, experiment with the effect cucumbers can have on your blood sugar. Let us know what you experience!
6. Entada phaseoloides -- Entada phaseoloides is a type of herb that grows on vines in Africa, Australia, Asia, and the Western Pacific. Entada phaseoloides have long been used in China as an effective remedy for type 2 diabetes.
A study using type 2 diabetic rats proved its ability as a blood sugar-lowering agent.
One group of rats received different doses of Entada, while the second group received the diabetes drug metformin.
Entada greatly reduced fasting blood glucose levels and serum insulin levels. The herb also alleviated hyperglycemia associated oxidative stress [oxidative stress damages bodily tissues] and lowered the rats' blood lipids.
Entada also exhibited anti-inflammatory effects, as well as pancreatic tissue protection. As we have learned, chronic inflammation is a huge cause of disease.
7. Syzygium cumini -- Commonly known as jambolan, java plum, or black plum, Syzygium cumini is an evergreen tree native to India. The seeds of this tree are used as a diabetes remedy in ayurvedic medicine.
The seeds have proven their blood sugar lowering effect in numerous studies. A powder made from the seeds and a homeopathic ethanol tincture can be purchased online.
8. Cayenne pepper -- Cayenne pepper is known as the master herb because it is so powerful for healing and reversal of illness and disease. Cayenne's amazing benefits on the cardiovascular system and heart are well understood and documented, but what about cayenne's effect on blood sugar?
Well, first let’s look at this study done on fat rats.
Two groups of rats were used. The study lasted for six weeks. One group was given small amounts of capsaicin (the active ingredient in cayenne pepper). The second group was given large amounts of capsaicin. (Can you imagine the rats' shock when they took their first bite?)
So what happened? Both the low and high capsaicin groups experienced similar health benefits. Cayenne did indeed have positive impacts on blood sugar control. Both groups experienced:
it inhibited an increase in fasting blood glucose and insulin levels.
a remarkable improvement in glucose and insulin tolerance.
a change in their gut microflora that improved their fasting blood glucose level.
In a second study, capsaicin improved blood sugar control in type 1 diabetic rats. Capsaicin inhibited intestinal absorption of sugar and increased the rat’s insulin levels.
So what else can cayenne do for diabetics you ask?
Cayenne can help relieve the pain of neuropathy.
Cayenne can help improve the circulation problems that can come with diabetes.
Regular use of cayenne can help prevent and even reverse gangrene. Diabetic circulation problems can lead to gangrene, which can eventually result in amputation. (For best results, take it internally and soak your affected area in warm water with cayenne pepper powder added (at least 100,000 heat units).
No doubt about it, cayenne needs to be in your diabetes remedy toolbox! Click here to learn more about the power of cayenne pepper.
9. Bananas -- Yes you can have bananas if you are a diabetic! In fact, bananas have a positive effect on blood sugar, making them a powerful diabetes remedy.
If you are a diabetic, you may have been told that you cannot have bananas. But I am here to give you some great news...
You can rest assured that bananas are a healthy addition to anyone’s diet, yes even if you are diabetic.
Bananas are just one of the amazing foods included in a plant-based diet that has a positive effect on blood sugar.
A study using banana starch supplementation proved that starch from bananas improves the blood glucose response after meals and insulin response in both obese and lean subjects.
Each individual is different, ripe bananas may work better for some, and greener bananas may work better for others. The main thing is to not fear bananas or any other fruit for that matter.
As a matter of fact, fruit shouldn’t be restricted in a type 2 diabetic’s diet, the health benefits of eating fruit will improve the health of anyone, including diabetics. This is wonderful news! Who doesn’t like a good banana from time to time?
Even better, make some banana ice cream using frozen bananas. It is amazing. Just freeze some bananas and throw them in your food processer until they turn into a soft-serve consistency. Enjoy!
10. Blueberries -- All types of berries are low on the glycemic scale, so it comes as no surprise that blueberries have the ability to help control blood sugar.
Blueberries contain a high amount of antioxidants, and while antioxidants are important for everyone, they are even more important for diabetics. Diabetes has a tendency to increase oxidative stress in the body, so the more antioxidants that you can get in your diet, the more protection you will receive from possible complications.
Blueberries also reduce markers of after-meal oxidation. The phenolic compounds of blueberries are believed to be responsible for this effect.
One study showed blueberries protected diabetic rat retinas from damage caused by diabetes.
And who doesn’t love blueberries?
Remember all berries are good and have their own unique traits and healing abilities.
Adding berries to your daily diet will significantly increase the quality of your health. What a delicious diabetes remedy!
11. Mangoes -- Studies have shown eating mangoes improves after-meal blood sugar and insulin responses in type 2 diabetics.
Other parts of the mango tree have shown blood sugar-lowering effects as well, such as the mango stem bark used in extract form.
A study was done with obese individuals and mango supplemental support over a 12 week period to observe if mangoes would have any health advantages. To make the supplement, researchers bought the Tommy Atkins variety of mangoes. They then peeled the mangoes and the pulp was freeze-dried and ground.
Participants were told to consume one packet a day of the freeze-dried mango pulp. Participants were asked to maintain their normal dietary habits. And it is very safe to assume these participants were not eating a healthy plant-based diet. The participant’s daily activity level was also monitored to ensure that no participants started to increase their activity levels during the study.
The conclusion was that the mango helped with the participant’s blood sugar control. These results are impressive, especially considering that the participants were obese and still eating their usual diet.
So go eat a mango! Don't be afraid of fruit!
12. Turmeric -- If there is a single herb in the world that can help a large number of disease states, turmeric is it!
As a diabetes remedy, turmeric has a lot to offer!
One study showing the power of turmeric against diabetes went on for 9 months. The subjects in this study were diagnosed as prediabetic. (This means their blood sugar was higher than normal, but not in the diabetic range yet. Of course, left untreated, prediabetes turns into a full case of full-blown diabetes down the road.)
The researchers wanted to see if giving the subjects turmeric would prevent their pre-diabetes from turning into type 2 diabetes.
So they divided test subjects into two groups. One group received turmeric, and the other group received a placebo pill. At the end of the study, 16% of the placebo group were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but no one in the turmeric group had progressed to type 2 diabetes! On top of that, turmeric seemed to improve the function of the beta cells. (Beta cells are the cells in the pancreas responsible for insulin production.)
Another study done with obese and overweight type 2 diabetics showed that turmeric significantly lowered fasting blood glucose levels.
One of the reasons turmeric is so powerful for diabetes is that turmeric decreases the amount of fat in the blood. (Bad fats in the bloodstream lead to type 2 diabetes.)
Click here to learn more about all of the amazing health benefits of turmeric.
13. Amla -- Amla, also known as Indian Gooseberry, is a highly nutritious and medicinal herb. Indian gooseberry is a potent source of vitamin C, a very important vitamin for human health.
A study using both healthy subjects and type 2 diabetic subjects found amla to significantly lower fasting glucose and after-meal blood glucose.
Subjects received either 1 gram, 2 grams, or 3 grams of amla powder a day. What were the results?
Total cholesterol and triglycerides significantly improved in the two groups receiving either 2 grams or 3 grams a day for both the healthy and the diabetic subjects.
All subjects receiving 2 grams to 3 grams a day, experienced a boost in their HDL cholesterol and lowered LDL cholesterol.
Diabetic subjects receiving 3 grams a day of amla powder had a significant lowering of total lipids on the 21st day.
So all in all Indian gooseberry proves to be a cardiac tonic and a lipid buster. Good news for all of us, and very good news for diabetics and pre-diabetics. High cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes go hand in hand (which makes complete sense now that you know that excess fats are the primary cause of type 2 diabetes).
Oh, and by the way, amla powder is super cheap, especially if you live close to an Indian food market.
14. Ginger -- Who doesn’t love gingerbread cookies? Well, we probably shouldn’t be eating too many gingerbread cookies, but we should be eating ginger in some form, whether it be fresh or powdered. Especially if you have type 2 diabetes.
A study done with 50 type 2 diabetic subjects found that ginger powder at 2 grams a day for 12 weeks, significantly reduced the subjects' A1C levels.
In this study, ginger also significantly reduced:
fasting blood sugar
apolipoprotein B [marker of heart disease]
apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I
malondialdehyde [biomarker for oxidative stress]
Diabetics are at increased risk of more oxidative stress than usual. Ginger helps mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation, this is a very important intervention for anyone with diabetes.
In another study ....
A double-blind study found ginger to have great potential for alleviating blood markers in type 2 diabetics.
Participants were given 1600 mg of ginger a day.
The ginger group experienced:
lower fasting glucose
lower HbA1c
lower insulin levels
lower HOMA
lower triglyceride levels
lower total cholesterol
lower C reactive protein.
This is impressive considering the only change made in the participant’s lifestyle was adding ginger.
Click to learn more about how to take ginger, and about ginger's many health benefits.
It seems that ginger was custom-made to be a diabetes remedy. So get to work adding more ginger to your diet! Your body will be glad you did!
15. Kiwi fruit -- Mmm-mmm, who out there loves kiwis? Kiwis are a delicious little beautiful green fruit that has the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. If you have never tried one go out and get some now, especially if you are trying to heal your diabetes.
There are several reasons kiwis are good for your blood sugar ... First, they have a low GI (glycemic index) at only 52.
Kiwis also form a gel in the digestive system that slows absorption, which is great for blood sugar control.
But kiwis have one more surprise, they contain inositol. Inositol is one of the b-complex vitamins, it is also known as vitamin B8.
B –vitamins are necessary for our bodies to regulate metabolic functions such as converting food to energy. Inositol helps blood sugar regulation in several ways. One way it helps is it breaks down fats in the blood and liver.
Studies have shown inositol supplements to improve fasting blood glucose and A1C in type 2 diabetes.
Less ripe kiwis contain more inositol than very ripe kiwis. Less ripe kiwis are more tart, and you might prefer them in a smoothie mixed with other fruits. Of course, you should eat kiwis exactly in the state you like them. They will improve your health either way. Another delicious diabetes remedy to add to your grocery list!
16. Aloe vera -- The evidence shows that aloe vera deserves a top spot in the list of diabetes remedies. A meta-analysis of scientific studies showed aloe vera lowering fasting blood glucose by 46 points and lowering A1C by 1.05.
In a study done on diabetic rats to see if aloe vera would protect their hearts from free radical damage driven by uncontrolled diabetes, the results were positive. Aloe vera had significant anti-diabetic and cardio-protective activity.
As we have learned, anything a diabetic can do to improve their inflammation and mitigate free radical damage will greatly reduce the odds of developing complications caused by diabetes.
Click here to learn more about how to take aloe vera.
17. Fenugreek -- Fenugreek is another of our wonderful healing herbs. The seeds are the most common part used as a diabetes remedy.
Fenugreek has several medicinal properties. Fenugreek is a great anti-inflammatory, and we all know how important getting inflammation under control is now, especially in diabetics.
Studies have demonstrated fenugreek's ability to improve blood sugar control in Type 1 AND Type 2 diabetics.
A study done with type 1 diabetics showed reduced fasting blood sugar levels and improvement of the glucose tolerance test.
The participants also experienced a 54 % reduction in their 24-hour urinary glucose excretion, as well as their total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides.
Studies with type 2 diabetics show similar results. Very impressive!
The seeds and their powder were used in most of the studies above. These can easily be found at your local health food store or online.
18. Green tea -- Green tea has been shown to reduce blood pressure, inflammation, LDL cholesterol, and oxidative stress. But what about blood sugar?
One study showed that drinking 6 or more cups of green tea per day can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 33%. So that is definitely promising news!
And if you already have type 2 diabetes, drinking green tea is definitely beneficial.
Green tea has shown the ability to:
lower blood glucose levels
cause vasodilation of the arteries [increasing blood flow]
help keep body weight under control
Decrease inflammation and oxidative stress.
A study in Taiwan showed that individuals who drank green tea habitually for ten years had lower body fat and waist measurements than people who didn’t drink green tea. And of course, we know that being obese and overweight can lead to diabetes, so this is another way green tea protects us.
Getting green tea into your diet is as easy as 1-2-3. Make a big pot in the morning and drink it all day long. Better yet, make green tea your replacement for coffee. Of course, you will need to forget the milk and sugar. Drink green tea with a little stevia and you will be on your way. Add this delicious diabetes remedy to your cart the next time you shop for groceries! By the way, Amazon sells a product that combines green tea with amla called amla green tea powder. Individuals using this supplement are reaping its blood sugar and blood pressure-lowering benefits.
19. Cocoa -- Now we aren’t talking about hershey’s kisses here. Sorry, but Hershey’s kisses wouldn’t have a good effect on your blood sugar. But cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate making, can have a beneficial effect on your blood sugar when you separate it from all the added sugar and fat found in a chocolate bar.
A study done on rats that were fed a high-calorie diet found great benefit in giving the rats epicatechin monomers (a compound found in the cocoa that gives the blood sugar-lowering ability.)
The rats given this compound experienced lower blood sugar levels, increased insulin production, and it helped beta cells work better and become stronger. This is super!
Here is another study you might like. There were two groups, one group got to eat dark chocolate, the other got white chocolate. Guess what happened? The dark chocolate group had improved insulin resistance and sensitivity and lower systolic blood pressure. The white chocolate gave no benefit.
Researchers believe it is the flavanols that are responsible for the health improvements. Cocoa is nutrient-dense with health-boosting compounds. But how do you get in into your diet in a form that will help you and not hurt you?
There are two healthy ways to get more cocoa into your diet:
You can eat a little dark chocolate (3 ounces a day). It needs to be at least 70 % cocoa, preferably more. (And check the ingredients to make sure it doesn't include any milk or butterfat).
Buy a good organic cocoa powder and use it in your cooking or your smoothies or throw it in some unsweetened almond milk and sweeten it with stevia. And then you will have made your own healthy chocolate milk.
(To make it even healthier you could make your own homemade almond milk. Just throw a quarter cup of almonds per 1 cup of water into a high-powered blender. blend until smooth and then strain. And there you have it....a delicious diabetes remedy that will also cure your chocolate cravings!)
20. Spirulina -- Spirulina is a single-celled algae with a nutrient-dense profile. Spirulina contains 8 of the essential amino acids as well as an impressive array of vitamins and minerals. And as a diabetes remedy, it has no rival!
Today we are going to explore its role in type 2 diabetes. As it turns out, its role is impressive.
A study with two groups of type 2 diabetics wanted to observe spirulina's effect on the participants' blood sugar and cholesterol. There were 25 participants who were randomly assigned to a group receiving the spirulina and another group who didn’t get the spirulina.
The spirulina group received 2 grams a day for two months.
At the end of the study the spirulina group experienced:
lower fasting blood glucose and after-meal blood glucose [also known as postprandial]
significant reduction in A1C
lowered triglycerides
reduction in total cholesterol
increase in HDL cholesterol (the healthy cholesterol)
reduction in apolipoprotein B [a marker for the risk of future cardiovascular disease]
increase in apolipoprotein A1 [a beneficial protein that plays a role in lipid metabolism].
These findings are absolutely amazing. Spirulina proves to be great food for the entire cardiovascular system, and it is a powerful blood sugar regulator.
Spirulina can be purchased at health food stores and online. It is better to buy organic spirulina to reduce the contaminants it may contain.
The easiest way to take it is to take it in capsule or tablet form or to throw it in a smoothie that can mask it, like a chocolate smoothie.
But you can also throw it in the blender with a little water and just shoot it. Full disclosure ... it isn’t the worst tasting thing in the world, but don’t expect it to taste great.
21. Goats rue -- Goats rue (scientific name = Galega officinalis) is an herb that has been used since the Middle Ages as a diabetes remedy because of its ability to lower blood sugar. In fact, the synthetic drug Metformin's active ingredient was derived from a chemical found in goat's rue called galegin.
When goat’s rue was initially studied for its blood sugar lowering effect, scientists linked its ability to lower blood sugar to a chemical called galegin found in the herb. Scientists were later able to synthesize galegin into a chemical known as guanidine. And guanidine is the active ingredient in Metformin.
In fact, goat's rue is so effective at lowering blood sugar, it should be stopped two weeks before having surgery.
Goats rue also has antibiotic effects. Goats rue is such an effective antibiotic it was used during the black plaque. Goats rue has also been found to lower the risk of cataracts and blood clots.
A study done with diabetic rats showed that goat’s rue protects against oxidative stress. This is important because the more damage that can be controlled in a diabetic, the less likely complications will arise.
Many diabetics on the diabetic forums swear by goat's rue for blood sugar control. The only way to know if it is the right diabetes remedy for you is to give it a try.
22. Bilberry -- The bilberry plant is a bush native to Northern Europe, some parts of North America, and Asia. It bears fruit similar to blueberries and is often mistaken for the blueberry, but they are two separate berries.
Bilberries have tremendous health-building properties. In fact, it seems bilberries were tailor-made to help with diabetes.
Check out all these amazing benefits of bilberries:
help lower the blood sugar
improve the function of the beta cells
protect against oxidative stress, free radicals, and inflammation.
lower c-reactive protein
lower triglycerides
reduce the risk of blood clots
lower blood pressure
improve HDL CHOLESTEROL
lower LDL cholesterol
And if that wasn’t enough, bilberries are great for your eyes too! And if you have studied diabetes, you know how important it is to take care of your vision.
Oh yes, bilberries have been shown to improve retinal abnormalities, increase capillary resistance in the eyes, slow progression of lens opacity and myopia, and improve night vision
But wait, there's more!
One study showed that individuals with mild senile cataracts, what a name, who took bilberries and vitamin e for 4 months, experienced a 97% success rate in PREVENTING cataract progression!
MY MY! Looks like we can add bilberries to the list of diabetes remedies and superhero herbs.
As far as getting them into your diet goes, they are hard to find in their raw form at grocery stores, at least in the south. So one of the most effective ways to put bilberries to work for you is to buy or make a bilberry tincture. There are also some decent bilberry supplements you can buy. But one thing is for sure, everybody should be on bilberries!
23. Agrimony -- Agrimony is a legendary herb that has been used for centuries to treat everything from liver and gallbladder disorders, eye problems, and treating wounds on ancient battlefields. And agrimony is a great diabetes remedy!
Studies using agrimony alcohol tinctures (agrimony extract) have shown agrimony to have:
powerful anti-inflammatory properties
antioxidant properties
blood sugar-lowering effects
helps the body regulate its glucose and insulin uptake
prohibits weight gain.
One of the ways agrimony lowers blood sugar is because of agrimony’s abundant polyphenol content.
As with most herbs and diabetes remedies, the longer you take it ... the better it works.
24. Gymnema sylvestre -- Gymnema sylvestre is an herb used in ayurvedic medicine. Gymnema has been used for centuries for blood sugar problems. Gymnema contains other benefits as well, but today we will focus solely on its role as a diabetes remedy.
One study looked at 22 type 2 diabetic subjects who were already taking a pharmaceutical blood-sugar-lowering drug. The researchers added an extract of Gymnema called GS4 to all 22 of the participant’s daily regimen. Each participant took 400 mg of the GS4 daily for 18 to 20 months.
During the study, the participants experienced greatly reduced blood glucose, A1C, and glycosylated plasma proteins. Gymnema worked so well that researched reduced intake of the prescription blood sugar drug over the course of the study. And 5 of the participants were able to quit their drug and maintain healthy blood sugar levels on GS4 alone.
The study also found evidence that Gymnema may have the ability to help the body regenerate beta cells! The participants' insulin levels improved while taking Gymnema.
Another study using GS4 with type 1 diabetics found decreased insulin requirements, lower A1C, and lower cholesterol. The participants in the control group of the study were using insulin only, and they showed no improvement in cholesterol or A1C.
This is one heck of a diabetes remedy!
25. Tribulus terrestris -- Tribulus terrestris is an herb that is well known for restoring male hormone levels. But what else can it do? Better yet, what can it do for your blood sugar?
In a study with 98 diabetic women, the women were randomly selected to receive 1000mg of Tribulus a day or a placebo for three months. Their fasting blood glucose, A1C, 2-hour postprandial glucose, and lipid panel were monitored to see if any of these parameters improved.
The Tribulus group experienced a significant decrease in their blood sugar. And the Tribulus group also had a lowering of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. The placebo group showed no benefit.
Tribulus has also shown the ability to reduce oxidative stress, a driver of diabetic complications.
So there you have it, Tribulus isn’t just for bodybuilders. And don’t worry, if you are a female and you take Tribulus for your blood sugar you won’t start growing a beard or looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger anytime soon. It will only help your body restore its natural testosterone levels, and even women need some testosterone.
26. Juniper berries -- Juniper berries have the ability to increase insulin production of the pancreas. That's a big deal, and that makes juniper berries a must-try diabetes remedy!
Of course, this increase in insulin production means that juniper has a good blood sugar lowering effect.
Juniper berry also has the ability to protect the kidneys and liver from oxidative damage. They are most easily found in dried form (which can be used to make tea) and in tincture form. For optimal results, try combining the tea and the tincture!
27. Cinnamon - You have probably already heard from somewhere or someone that cinnamon helps lower blood sugar. Cinnamon has recently become famous as a diabetes remedy. And boy does it taste good and adds depth to many dishes. But does it really lower blood sugar?
Yes, indeed it does. In this meta-analysis of studies done with cinnamon and blood sugar, the conclusion was that cinnamon lowers levels of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and raises HDL cholesterol.
Cinnamon didn’t seem to help A1C, but that's okay .... cinnamon is delicious and we have learned many other ways to improve A1C.
And of course like all herbs and spices, cinnamon has other beneficial properties as well. Click here to learn more about the health benefits of cinnamon.
28. Magnesium -- Low magnesium is common in type 2 diabetics. It has also been found that low dietary magnesium intake is linked with developing type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Magnesium supplementation has shown improved insulin sensitivity and metabolic control in type 2 diabetics.
Why you ask?
Because magnesium is responsible for regulating insulin action, insulin-mediated glucose uptake, and vascular tone. All of these are critical for a healthy body.
So it is safe to say that diabetics need to be conscious of how much magnesium that they are consuming on a daily basis. In addition to stress control, supplements and foods can be added to the diet to increase magnesium.
Good food sources of magnesium include:
leafy greens -- very important to overall health
nuts and seeds
avocado
bananas
dark chocolate -- 70% cacao or higher [watch your portions]
black beans
To get the best results when using magnesium as a diabetes remedy, take a magnesium supplement and increase your intake of magnesium-rich foods.
29. Flax seeds -- Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, “Wherever flaxseed becomes a regular food item among the people, there will be better health." And boy was he right!
Flax has proven itself over the centuries to be a functional food with impressive healing properties, and recent scientific studies continue to show us the power of flax.
In addition to blood pressure-lowering properties and prostate reduction, flaxseed has also proven itself a worthy diabetes remedy based on its ability to control blood sugar. [And by the way, it is one of the most abundant sources of omega 3 fatty acids in the world.]
One study looked at two groups of type 2 diabetics, one group getting flax seeds every day and the other group received no flaxseed.
After one month the group receiving the ground flaxseed powder showed:
19.7 % decrease in fasting blood glucose
15.6 % reduction in A1C
Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol were reduced.
Apolipoprotein B decreased
HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol) increased.
That is impressive! What do you think of the lowly flax seed now?
30. Unicity Balance -- Unicity balance is a nutritional supplement sold by Unicity, which is a multi-tiered marketing company. But hold your judgment about such companies, while you hear the benefits of this supplement, which is specifically designed as a diabetes remedy. And they have the science to back it up. Because Unicity Balance works, and it works well.
In fact, it works so well that it is listed in the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) alongside pharmaceutical drugs.
It has been scientifically proven to promote healthy blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
People who were about to lose limbs were able to turn it around by the use of this supplement. When these individuals were in dire need, they would double the recommended dose of the supplement to get their blood sugar back into the normal range so their limbs can heal and be saved.
Encouragement to you out there that feel all hope is lost, this is one supplement that can be a game-changer. But always remember that all diabetes remedies work even better when you eat a healthy diet and incorporate exercise.
31. Vinegar -- You may have heard that apple cider vinegar is good for high blood pressure and high blood sugar. One study using white vinegar in Type 2 diabetic patients found the following results: lower after-meal blood sugar, hyperinsulinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. It seems that vinegar increases glucose uptake in the body. That means vinegar might have potential as a diabetes remedy. We are especially fond of apple cider vinegar. Click here to learn more.
32. Maitake mushroom -- Maitake mushroom is known for its immune system enhancement properties. There is also evidence that it can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, making it a member of the diabetes remedy club. The study that exhibited maitake’s blood sugar-lowering ability was done with rats. So while there are no studies with humans yet, some diabetics have used maitake with good results as far as their blood sugar numbers go down. So like they say, don’t’ knock it till you try it.
Final Thoughts
We covered a lot of information here, wow! Even more amazing is there are even more diabetes remedies out there. But this information should give you a great starting point!
So where to begin? Start with the two most important diabetes remedies -- a plant-based diet and a balanced exercise program. If after 3 months of strictly sticking to both and your blood sugar still isn’t where you want it, then you can pick from this long list.
You should try one or two of the diabetes remedies at a time to get a feel of what works for you. Give each diabetes remedy at least three or more months before you switch to a different remedy.
Monitor your blood sugar regularly, and keep a log of your results so you can determine which diabetes remedies work best for you. And remember to keep your open-minded doctor in the loop.
If you are consistent and work hard at your health, you can make your type 2 diabetes a thing of the past. And who doesn’t want to do that?
And remember that like all herbs, these diabetes remedies work synergistically. There is nothing wrong with combining some of these remedies to find the solution that works best for you.
If you would like to delve deeper into diabetes remedies, here is a list of all of the sources we used on this page ....
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28758920
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2677007/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15523486/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28792455
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2551669/
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/29/8/1933
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3174102/
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3168415/
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23030429
http://www.academicjournals.org/journal/JMPR/article-full-text-pdf/A7B252015305
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3331408
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28890700
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28230360
http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/12/7/7491
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23497350
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22935321
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27847126
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4155986/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1756683
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22773702
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22930403
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21495900
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4277626/
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ije/2016/9132052/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/838172
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031942297002665
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/311305.php
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20723007
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2194788
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19839001
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27496582
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3689013/
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955286317302279?via%3Dihub
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/81/3/541.full
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12639401
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26547967].
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92770/#ch4_sec5
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9797650
http://apjtb.com/zz/2011s2/33.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21073939
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22063725
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Baskaran%20K%20et%20al.%20Antidiabetic%20effect%20of%20a%20leaf%20extract%20from%20gymnema%20sylvestre%20in%20non-insulin-dependent%20diabetes%20mellitus%20patients
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2259216
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27840471
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17151317
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2410097/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24019277
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27352956
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26536892
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1271120
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4549665/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12663588/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22432725].
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26064976]
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28292654].
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11349892
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150908112428.htm
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/09637486.2014.880671?src=recsys
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