Diabetes is a condition that is caused by an abundance of glucose in the blood which comes as a result of insufficient insulin (insulin being a hormone that causes the cells in the liver, muscle and fat tissue to take up glucose in order to convert into ATP to be used as energy). In type one diabetes this is due to a failure in the pancreas to produce the hormone (after the pancreas is damaged by the body’s own immune system), while in type two it is caused by the body’s failure to respond to the insulin. This excessive glucose then leads to further complications such as excessive urination and thirst, nerve damage (which presents itself as tingling in the extremities), vision problems, tiredness and more.
Unfortunately there is no ‘cure’ for diabetes currently and despite claims to the contrary being found online no human can ‘recover’ from it as such (it is possible for cats to make a recovery interestingly though). As such any method, medication or product – natural or otherwise – that claims to provide a ‘cure’ is some kind of scam. What both doctors and natural treatments can do however is to help with diabetes management and to minimise complications.
And by ‘natural’ this mostly means lifestyle changes and diet alterations that can help the body to deal with the extra glucose while not exacerbating matters. Of course the first and most obvious thing to bear in mind here is not to worsen the excess of glucose by consuming more. This means limiting intake of sugar as well as carbs in general and particularly simple carbs. That means no cakes, no chocolates, minimal bread, no sweets… and while this might seem a little bland as a diet there are fortunately a lot of replacement options out there for diabetics such as diabetic cakes and diabetic chocolate – which provide much of the taste without the overload of glucose.
Similarly consuming extra fibre can help the body to flush its system of the unwanted glucose and to aid in digestion in the case of type 2 diabetes by clearing the digestive tract. Fibrous foods include nuts, wheat, whole grains, citrus fruits and others.
Other foods you can add to your diet will mimic the effects of insulin. Among these are flaxseed oil, buckwheat, cucumbers, garlic, green beans, avocados, soybeans, tofu, sprouts, raw green vegetables and oatmeal. Garlic in particular is also a great source of fibre and can prevent other complications too such as cholesterol. Other general healthy additions to your diet can help too. Be careful when consuming these however, as if you cause your blood sugar to drop and you are already taking medication you may inadvertently overdose in insulin thereby causing hypoglycaemia. Consult your doctor on any such diet changes before you begin.
Omega 3 fish oils are also thought to have positive benefits though there is not enough support surrounding this yet. This could work however by improving glucose tolerance, thereby making the body better able to cope with the extra glucose and helping to protect against such things as nerve damage. It has also been thought to increase triglycerides and to improve cholesterol levels – though other case studies suggest that they can in fact cause detrimental effects. As such more research needs to be done into the area, but eating a diet higher in fish (not taken specific supplements) could help. Some diabetics have also found that they benefit from a vegetarian diet, and studies have shown this to cause positive changes in the body as soon as three days after it is started. It is thought that this could again work by improving glucose tolerance. At the same time reducing the intake of protein will place less stress on the kidneys which can minimise the damage caused to them by diabetes.
Some specific supplements are also being examined for their helpful effects on diabetes. These include ginseng which has been supported by some studies as a means to improve blood sugar control through the use of glycosylated haemoglobin which monitors glucose in the body. Chromium meanwhile is a trace mineral found to help the cells in the body to respond to insulin. Some studies have also demonstrated that there are already low levels of chromium in the blood so as a supplement you would simply be replacing this deficiency. Other studies have shown that chromium can significantly improve insulin sensitivity. Magnesium meanwhile is another mineral which is implicated in 300 of the body’s chemical reactions, many of which could be vital to helping blood glucose control particularly in type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon too has been shown to improve glucose sensitivity while zinc can help with its production and storage, while gymnema can decrease blood sugar (but should not be taken without consulting a doctor as it may lower it too far when taken in conjunction with medication). Vanadium is said to reduce blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. As you can see then there are many minerals and herbs that can help control levels of insulin and therefore glucose. Simply taking a multivitamin and mineral tablet regularly could have some beneficial effects, while supplementing specifically with vanadium, zinc, chromium and magnesium could provide a four-pronged attack on your glucose levels.
As well as making changes to the diet, there are also several lifestyle changes you can that will help lessen the symptoms and complications of diabetes. For example excess fat decreases the number of insulin receptors in the body and makes the body less sensitive to insulin. This creates a vicious circle of sorts too as when you are overweight, the body actually needs more not less insulin. This is another good reason to eat less sugary snacks and fewer carbs. It also means you should exercise which has other great impacts on the body – causing those with type 1 diabetes to require less insulin, making an individual less likely to develop type 2 diabetes (making it a great preventative measure if diabetes should run in your family), reducing body fat and improving insulin sensitivity. As insulin is an ‘anabolic’ hormone, exercising will cause it to be released further in order to maintain the body during its post workout stage. Other supplements used by bodybuilders might also be able to trigger a more anabolic state, as does sleeping or a hot shower. One thing to note however is that as exercise reduces blood sugar levels, your usual doses of insulin might lead to an over dose if taken soon after. Speak to a doctor or health expert before beginning any training regime.
You may find however that you find it difficult to summon the energy to exercise. This is likely caused by the body being unable to use the glucose in your system thereby being unable to burn it for energy. There are some ways you can improve your energy however that do not revolve around glucose and these revolve around the body’s two other systems of getting energy – the glycogen-lactic acid system and the phosphogen system. Here the body uses ATP and glycogen stores that it already has, thereby bypassing the need for glucose (the body will use up these stores before moving on to the aerobic system where it needs glucose). Fortunately you can increase the length of time this takes through the supplement ‘creatine’ which is used in sports and works by allowing the body to ‘recycle’ used ATP. Another method of increasing energy through supplementation that might work is to consume resveratrol, which improves the function of the mitochondria – the mitochondria being responsible for ATP production.
Similarly other general healthy lifestyle changes can improve diabetes. For example it is important to drink less alcohol as this will worsen glucose tolerance and increase the likelihood of eye and nerve damage. Smokers meanwhile are at greater risk of kidney damage, heart disease and other issues connected to diabetes. Smokers are also more likely to develop diabetes.
When diagnosed with diabetes your physician should talk you through the lifestyle and diet changes you can make to help your situation and these will be tailored to your particular condition and biology. Ensure that you stick to these strictly as well as any medication. Meanwhile understand that any touted ‘cures’ for diabetes are only going to lead to disappointment and potentially be dangerous if you use them at the expense of your recommended treatment. Do not be taken in by the promises of homeopathic products which have no basis in science, but use common sense to generally improve your health and your diet and supplement your efforts with minerals.
Source
http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/13154/1/Natural-Cures-for-Diabetes.html