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Diabetes is a chronic condition affecting 17 million Americans, and according to the Center for Disease Control, diabetes is the fastest growing disease today. It is the 5th leading cause of death in the United States with over 200,000 deaths each year from diabetes-related complications.
It is well known that a poor diet and lack of exercise are key factors in the development of type-2 diabetes. When those 2 factors are present in our daily lives, the cells in our bodies become desensitized to the insulin produced in our pancreas and can no longer react to it properly, a condition referred to as insulin resistance. Once this happens, you become afflicted with diabetes, pre-diabetes or metabolic symptoms. If your condition is mild, chances are you can keep your symptoms under control by lifestyle changes alone, including the implementation of an exercise regimen and by following healthy dietary guidelines. In more advanced cases, herbs and supplements can be used alone or in conjunction with traditional Western medicine. Be sure to inform your health care provider about any alternative or complementary herbs and supplements you may be considering or already using, as some may interact with traditional prescription medicines and may decrease the amount you may need to consume in order to keep your symptoms under control.
Laboratory studies suggest that EGCG, a polyphenol found in green tea and dark chocolate may protect against cardiovascular disease and have a beneficial effect on insulin activity and glucose control.
Fenugreek is a popular herbal supplement used to lower blood sugar levels. It has been shown to lower blood glucose levels, insulin levels, total cholesterol and triglycerides. Due to the high fiber levels in fenugreek seeds, the small intestine delays absorption of glucose, resulting in lower blood sugar. Fenugreek is not recommended for pregnant women as it has been shown to induce labor and should only be taken after a consultation with your health care provider.
In Ayurvedic medicine, cinnamon is a longtime remedy for diabetes. An intake of half a teaspoon of cinnamon twice a day has the potential to reduce blood sugar by as much as 50 points. Recent studies have found that cinnamon may have a beneficial effect on blood sugar. One of the first human studies was published in 2003 in a medical journal called Diabetes Care. Sixty people with type 2 diabetes took 1, 3, or 6 grams of cinnamon in pill form daily, an amount roughly equivalent to one quarter of a teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. After 40 days, all 3 amounts of cinnamon reduced fasting blood glucose by 18 to 29%, triglycerides by 23 to 30%, LDL cholesterol by 7 to 27%, and total cholesterol by 12 to 26%. Below is a recipe for cinnamon tea that can be enjoyed before bedtime.
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup of boiling water
1 regular decaffeinated black teabag
Erythritol, stevia or sweetener of choice, to taste
1. Place the cinnamon stick in a cup.
2. Add the boiling water and steep covered for 10 minutes.
3. Add the teabag. Steep for one to three minutes.
4. Sweeten to taste, if desired.
Email your alternative health and medicine questions to Delialah Falcon at dfalconsch@hotmail.com
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