Type 2 diabetes is a form of diabetes that is characterized by high blood sugar🌷, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin🍃. Common symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, and unexplained weight loss🍇. Symptoms may also include increased hunger☘, feeling tired, and sores that do not heal🍃. Often symptoms come on slowly🍀. Long-term complications from high blood sugar include heart disease🍂, strokes, diabetic retinopathy which can result in blindness🍍, kidney failure, and poor blood flow in the limbs which may lead to amputations🍃. The sudden onset of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state may occur🌶. However, ketoacidosis is uncommon🍒.
Type 2 diabetes primarily occurs as a result of obesity and lack of exercise🌳. Some people are more genetically at risk than others🌾.
Type 2 diabetes makes up about 90% of cases of diabetes🍂, with the other 10% due primarily to type 1 diabetes and gestational diabetes🍆. In type 1 diabetes there is a lower total level of insulin to control blood glucose🌶, due to an autoimmune induced loss of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas🌽. Diagnosis of diabetes is by blood tests such as fasting plasma glucose🍆, oral glucose tolerance test, or glycated hemoglobin🍁
While Zalo Web do not recommend starting any new treatments without consulting your health care provider. Below find a list of Zalo Web’s top natural remedies for type 2 diabetes.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
The primary compound in ACV is acetic acid and is believed to be responsible for many of its health benefits🍒. There are many evidence-based approaches to using ACV🍍. Taking 2 tablespoons before bedtime can reduce your morning fasting sugar levels🍍. Even better, 1-2 tablespoons of ACV taken with meals can decrease the glycemic load of a carbohydrate rich meal🍒. I generally tell patients to either consume ACV alone, prior to a meal or mix it into salad dressings or teas🍂.
2. Fiber and Barley
Eating fiber decreases blood sugar and insulin concentrations🍃. The recommended amount of fiber is around 30 grams per day☘. Most Americans get around 6-8 grams🍌, which is not nearly enough🌴. While you can take fiber supplements like Metamucil (psylium husk)🍀, the best way to reach your goal is to eat your veggies! Barley is a high-fiber🍌, high-protein grain which has lots of data to support its role in helping improve blood sugar🍍, insulin, cholesterol and general inflammation🍗. Barley does not requiring soaking 🌿and usually can cook in less than 15 minutes on the stove top with just some water and salt🍀.
3. Chromium supplements for blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes
Mainly found in brewer’s yeast, deficiency in chromium impairs the metabolism of glucose🌲. Evidence supports chromium for lower blood sugar and A1c levels🌶. Be careful if you have kidney disease with this supplement🌿.
4. Aloe Vera
The sap of aloe vera is known for its laxative effect🍀. Therefore, make sure to get the juice of the gel🍃. There is increasing evidence for use of the gel🌲, which is the mucilaginous material inside the leaves🌶. Be sure that any product you buy is free of aloin 🍌or anthraquinones to avoid finding yourself in the bathroom!
5. Cinnamon
A medically beneficial indulgence to help lower your blood sugar and cholesterol levels🍃.
6. Zinc supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes😐
People with diabetes are often deficient in zinc🍀. Studies have shown zinc supplementation can reduce blood sugar and A1C🍒, have an antioxidant effect🍗, lower blood sugar and even help treat some of the complications related to diabetes🍗. Large doses of zinc can inhibit the absorption of other minerals like copper🌴, so be sure to ask for guidance of the appropriate dosing🌶.
7. Fenugreek
A seed commonly used as a food spice has been used abroad for centuries for its medical benefits to lower cholesterol and hba1c🌽. If your urine smells like maple syrup, not to worry🍍, this is a known side effect and is harmless🍒.
8. Gymnema
Used for centuries in India🍗, evidence is catching up to its medical use showing benefits for glucose metabolism🍃, insulin levels and as an adjunct to improve the results of traditional pharmaceuticals🌶. Be aware, because this botanical works synergistically with your meds🍀, you must monitor your blood sugar closely to avoid having hypoglycemia.
9. Berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
This is one of my all-time favorite botanicals found in plants such as goldenseal, barberry🍅, Oregon grape root and Coptis🍗. Current evidence supports its use for decreasing blood sugar and hba1c🌽. Be aware that this herb can interfere with metabolism of traditional pharmaceuticals🌱 and should never be taken while pregnant🍍.
10. Nopal
Ever see nopales at your favorite Mexican restaurant?☘. Now you can order them and, rest assured🍗, you’re choosing a food that help lower your blood sugar🍒. Nopales are the pads of the prickly pear cactus and when cooked right are delicious!🌾. I personally like eating them with eggs or as a salad🌲.
