Because of some of the problems and people that won't read labels or follow their doctors directions, I feel that the following is in order for all natural remedies.
The following information is for your reading and is not a cure. I am not endorsing any of these herbs, supplements, or natural remedies.
This is important!!! WARNING If you are taking supplements or anything that is not prescribed by the doctor, please make sure that the doctor is informed. Some of the supplements when taken with oral medications and/or insulin can cause hypoglycemia or have toxic results, even cause death.
This is important enough to tell you to maintain a Supplement Diary of every herb, vitamin, and supplement you are taking and give a copy to your doctor. I am aware that many people do not feel this is important, but the consequences for persons with diabetes can have severe medical implications.
Having a healthy diet and lifestyle, emphasis on exercise, are the most important factors in preventing or managing Type 2 Diabetes. There are a number of herbs, vitamins and minerals that have been shown to give some help to people with diabetes. Here are a few more herbs and plants that may have some benefits.
Prickly pear cactus:
When you look at a cactus plant it’s difficult to imagine that the plant can have any benefits, especially after a few of the spines have pierced your hand! However, some scientists have discovered that blood sugar levels can be decreased by 17% or higher in people with type 2 diabetes when the cactus pad is eaten on a regular basis. The fruit also has similar blood sugar lowering properties. Check the benefits under the "Uses" tab.
Turmeric:
Turmeric is a yellow herb that is often found in Indian and Indonesian dishes. There is some scientific research that suggests that using this herb may aid in reduction of inflammation which leads to obesity and diabetes. There is also some suggestions that it may aid in blocking some carbohydrates from being totally digested and entering the blood stream.
Milk thistle:
Many people are familiar with milk thistle and use it to help cleanse their liver of toxins that have been accumulated especially fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease affects over 50% of people with diabetes. Milk thistle may also aid in decreasing blood sugar levels, cholesterol, HbA1c, and triglycerides. Read this by David Mendosa.
Holy Basil, also called Hot Basil:
An extract of Holy Basil may decrease fasting blood sugar levels up to 17.6%. Holy Basil may also help decrease you blood sugar level if you eat too much food at a meal. The relevant studies are small in size; however, some success was achieved.
Psyllium:
Are you familiar with the over-the-counter product called Metamucil? It’s used to help keep you regular. This product basically contains psyllium, a plant that is high in fiber, and some additives and preservatives.
Psyllium is similar to other fibers that reduce serum glucose levels and insulin levels. The extra benefits of psyllium include lowered total cholesterol levels and lowered LDL cholesterol levels. There is little evidence that diabetes is greatly helped.
Other berries:
Many people are climbing on the nutritional bandwagon when it comes to berries. They consume acai berries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, hawthorne berries and exotic berries. The berries are often prepared in fruit drinks that tend to be pricey. These berries have high nutritional value and are loaded with antioxidants.
If you’re interested in these herbs for lowering blood sugar, please investigate their dosages, contraindications, and length of time the herbs can be used safely. I would recommend reading much of the information listed in the post mentioned about Milk Thistle above by David Mendosa and this post on blueberries.
Part 3 of 4
September 22, 2010
September 19, 2010
Natural treatments for diabetes. (Not a cure) Part 2
Because of some of the problems and people that won't read labels or follow their doctors directions, I feel that the following is in order for all natural remedies.
The following information is for your reading and is not a cure. I am not endorsing any of these herbs, supplements, or natural remedies.
This is important!!! WARNING If you are taking supplements or anything that is not prescribed by the doctor, please make sure that the doctor is informed. Some of the supplements when taken with oral medications and/or insulin can cause hypoglycemia or have toxic results, even cause death.
This is important enough to tell you to maintain a Supplement Diary of every herb, vitamin, and supplement you are taking and give a copy to your doctor. I am aware that many people do not feel this is important, but the consequences for persons with diabetes can have severe medical implications.
Also, use the name below and use your search engine with “and diabetes” to check out warnings and problems of over use.
Zinc:
This mineral is important to people with diabetes and is involved in the production and storage of insulin. Be careful not to over use zinc. Food sources of zinc are many and the following article gives a few of them.
Aloe Vera Gel:
This common home used remedy for minor cuts, burns, and skin problems is the subject of a small Japanese study which shows some benefits from some compounds in the gel that help reduce blood glucose. Most effective use is from the compounds and not the gel.
Gymnema:
The warning is out big time for this herb! While it has good properties for lowering blood glucose, this will cause problems for people taking medications or insulin and should only be used under the close supervision of their doctor. NO EXCEPTIONS.
This source gives the warning and this source does not – I would suggest following the warning.
Vanadium:
Repeat the warnings! This trace mineral found naturally in many foods and mimics many of the actions of insulin in the body. Just do not use this without supervision of a doctor. The dose large enough to have an effect on blood glucose can be toxic to humans.
Herbs for Diabetes
Pterocarpus marsupium:
This herb has been used for a long time in India as a treatment for diabetes. The flavonoid, (-)-epicatechin, extracted from the bark of this plant has been shown to prevent alloxan-induced beta cell damage in rats.
Both epicatechin and a crude alcohol extract of Pterocarpus marsupium have actually been shown to regenerate functional pancreatic beta cells. No other drug or natural agent has been shown to generate this activity. This may not be available in the US, and should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.
Bitter Melon:
Bitter melon, also known as balsam pear, is a tropical vegetable widely cultivated in Asia, Africa and South America, and has been used extensively in folk medicine as a remedy for diabetes. I will let you read about this here.
Excessively high doses of bitter melon juice can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Small children or anyone with hypoglycemia should not take bitter melon, since this herb could theoretically trigger or worsen low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. Furthermore, diabetics taking hypoglycemic drugs (such as chlorpropamide, glyburide, or phenformin) or insulin should use bitter melon with caution, as it may affect the effectiveness of the drugs, leading to severe hypoglycemia.
Onion and Garlic:
I will let you read the information about these two herbs. Generally, these can be used liberally and if you reek of garlic, you can definitely get rid of the diabetes police.
Fenugreek:
This herb has some beneficial properties and studies have given some credence to its benefits. It is the defatted portion of the seed that gives the greatest benefit.
Blueberry leaves:
I will let you read about this here. The leaves of the blueberry has a history in the of folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes. In Europe, it is primarily used as an anti-haemorrhagic agent for the treatment of eye diseases including diabetic retinopathy.
Asian Ginseng:
Asian ginseng is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes. It has been shown to enhance the release of insulin from the pancreas and to increase the number of insulin receptors.
Bilberry:
Bilberry is useful as it may lower the risk of some diabetic complications, such as diabetic cataracts and retinopathy.
Stevia:
Stevia has been used traditionally to treat diabetes. Not all reports confirm the beneficial effect of Stevia. At best it is good as a sweetener to lower the sugar intake of people with diabetes.
Ginkgo Biloba:
Ginkgo biloba extract seems to be limited in use and may prove useful for prevention and treatment of early-stage diabetic neuropathy.
Barberry:
One of the mildest and best liver tonics known. I am not sure of any other uses for people with diabetes other than inflammation reduction. Warnings are important and are discussed here.
This is Part 2 of 4.
The following information is for your reading and is not a cure. I am not endorsing any of these herbs, supplements, or natural remedies.
This is important!!! WARNING If you are taking supplements or anything that is not prescribed by the doctor, please make sure that the doctor is informed. Some of the supplements when taken with oral medications and/or insulin can cause hypoglycemia or have toxic results, even cause death.
This is important enough to tell you to maintain a Supplement Diary of every herb, vitamin, and supplement you are taking and give a copy to your doctor. I am aware that many people do not feel this is important, but the consequences for persons with diabetes can have severe medical implications.
Also, use the name below and use your search engine with “and diabetes” to check out warnings and problems of over use.
Zinc:
This mineral is important to people with diabetes and is involved in the production and storage of insulin. Be careful not to over use zinc. Food sources of zinc are many and the following article gives a few of them.
Aloe Vera Gel:
This common home used remedy for minor cuts, burns, and skin problems is the subject of a small Japanese study which shows some benefits from some compounds in the gel that help reduce blood glucose. Most effective use is from the compounds and not the gel.
Gymnema:
The warning is out big time for this herb! While it has good properties for lowering blood glucose, this will cause problems for people taking medications or insulin and should only be used under the close supervision of their doctor. NO EXCEPTIONS.
This source gives the warning and this source does not – I would suggest following the warning.
Vanadium:
Repeat the warnings! This trace mineral found naturally in many foods and mimics many of the actions of insulin in the body. Just do not use this without supervision of a doctor. The dose large enough to have an effect on blood glucose can be toxic to humans.
Herbs for Diabetes
Pterocarpus marsupium:
This herb has been used for a long time in India as a treatment for diabetes. The flavonoid, (-)-epicatechin, extracted from the bark of this plant has been shown to prevent alloxan-induced beta cell damage in rats.
Both epicatechin and a crude alcohol extract of Pterocarpus marsupium have actually been shown to regenerate functional pancreatic beta cells. No other drug or natural agent has been shown to generate this activity. This may not be available in the US, and should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.
Bitter Melon:
Bitter melon, also known as balsam pear, is a tropical vegetable widely cultivated in Asia, Africa and South America, and has been used extensively in folk medicine as a remedy for diabetes. I will let you read about this here.
Excessively high doses of bitter melon juice can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Small children or anyone with hypoglycemia should not take bitter melon, since this herb could theoretically trigger or worsen low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. Furthermore, diabetics taking hypoglycemic drugs (such as chlorpropamide, glyburide, or phenformin) or insulin should use bitter melon with caution, as it may affect the effectiveness of the drugs, leading to severe hypoglycemia.
Onion and Garlic:
I will let you read the information about these two herbs. Generally, these can be used liberally and if you reek of garlic, you can definitely get rid of the diabetes police.
Fenugreek:
This herb has some beneficial properties and studies have given some credence to its benefits. It is the defatted portion of the seed that gives the greatest benefit.
Blueberry leaves:
I will let you read about this here. The leaves of the blueberry has a history in the of folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes. In Europe, it is primarily used as an anti-haemorrhagic agent for the treatment of eye diseases including diabetic retinopathy.
Asian Ginseng:
Asian ginseng is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes. It has been shown to enhance the release of insulin from the pancreas and to increase the number of insulin receptors.
Bilberry:
Bilberry is useful as it may lower the risk of some diabetic complications, such as diabetic cataracts and retinopathy.
Stevia:
Stevia has been used traditionally to treat diabetes. Not all reports confirm the beneficial effect of Stevia. At best it is good as a sweetener to lower the sugar intake of people with diabetes.
Ginkgo Biloba:
Ginkgo biloba extract seems to be limited in use and may prove useful for prevention and treatment of early-stage diabetic neuropathy.
Barberry:
One of the mildest and best liver tonics known. I am not sure of any other uses for people with diabetes other than inflammation reduction. Warnings are important and are discussed here.
This is Part 2 of 4.
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