Natural Remedies for Diabetes: What You Need to Know?
Meta-description: If you are looking for natural remedies for diabetes, you have landed in the right place. Explore natural diabetes buddies, the easygoing pals that add flavor to your routine.
Living with diabetes can be a bit of a juggling act, right? Well, meet the underdogs – natural remedies. Trying to check those blood sugar levels often leads us down the rabbit hole of exploring natural remedies.
Consider these elements as essential components in managing diabetes—akin to reliable companions enhancing the overall regimen. So, why not tag along as we explore these easygoing natural remedies that could make your path more interesting?
So, let's dive into this article and explore the six Natural remedies for diabetes that have caught the attention of researchers.
#1 Chromium
First, meet chromium, a little trace mineral that plays a big role in handling carbs and fats in our body. Think of it as the behind-the-scenes hero making our cells team up better with insulin. Some studies suggest it might reduce fasting plasma glucose levels and trim a bit off that A1C. [1]
#2 Ginseng
While there are various kinds of ginseng, the studies showing the most promise in relation to diabetes focus on American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). According to a recent meta-analysis of a study, American ginseng has the potential to notably enhance blood sugar control and fasting glucose levels (which reflect your overall blood sugar levels) by boosting your body's insulin sensitivity. To reap the benefits, consider opting for capsules containing a standardized extract of ginsenosides, the active ingredient. [2]
#3 Magnesium
Have you ever heard about magnesium? It's not just a famous mineral name; it's a team player in over 300 biochemical reactions in our body. And get this – low levels might mess with our blood glucose control. But the good news is that popping magnesium could help insulin resistance by making it more sensitive. You can find it in pills or chillin' in green leafy veggies, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. [3]
#4 Aloe Vera
So, the same aloe vera you use for sunburns might have something for diabetes as well. Apparently, the gel has some compounds that could give your blood glucose and A1C levels a little push in the right direction. [4] It's like aloe vera saying, "Hey, I can do more than just soothe your skin."
#5 Cinnamon
Let's sprinkle a bit of spice- cinnamon- into the mix. Not only does it add flavor to your muffins, but it might also help lower glucose levels. Here is an example: a study with people taking cinnamon capsules for three months. The results? A bit of fat loss, improved glucose, A1C, and even better insulin production. Incredible, right? [5]
#6 Gymnema
Lastly, we've got Gymnema, the herb doing some sweet tricks. Studies suggest it can lower blood sugar levels and make sweet things less tempting. [6] Imagine that – a herb playing mind games with your taste buds! But here's the deal: if you're on diabetes meds or insulin, consult with your healthcare professional before adding Gymnema to your routine.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – a little tour through the biosphere of natural remedies for diabetes. While these tricks might not be the instant cure, they could be like your sidekicks in this blood sugar management.
Give them a shot, but always keep the main act as your healthy diet and prescribed meds. It's like having a backup singer – nice, but the spotlight's still on you. Stay healthy.
References
- Costello, R.B., Dwyer, J.T. and Bailey, R.L. (2016) ‘Chromium supplements for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: Limited evidence of effectiveness’, Nutrition Reviews, 74(7), pp. 455–468. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuw011. https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/74/7/455/1752210?login=false
- Gui, Q., Xu, Z., Xu, K., & Yang, Y. (2016). The efficacy of ginseng-related therapies in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Medicine, 95(6). https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000002584
- Barbagallo, M. (2015). Magnesium and type 2 diabetes. World Journal of Diabetes, 6(10), 1152. https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v6.i10.1152
- Suksomboon, N., Poolsup, N., & Punthanitisarn, S. (2016). Effect ofaloe veraon glycaemic control in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 41(2), 180–188. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpt.12382
- Zare, R., Nadjarzadeh, A., Zarshenas, M. M., Shams, M., & Heydari, M. (2019). Efficacy of cinnamon in patients with type II diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Clinical Nutrition, 38(2), 549–556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2018.03.003
- Potential antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Gymnema Sylvestre ... (n.d.). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331732815_Potential_antioxidant_and_antimicrobial_activity_of_Gymnema_sylvestre_related_to_diabetes
