How do you reduce blood sugar level without medications?
By takeldric gordon from Columbus, GA
Before insulin and laboratory-manufactured medicines, ancient doctors prescribed natural remedies for the treatment of diabetes. Although these should not replace medical treatment, the following methods have been clinically shown to lower blood sugar levels in those with adult-onset Type II diabetes.
Cactus. Native Mexican Indians have used nopales, or cactus (opuntia) petal leaves to lower blood sugars for years. Recent studies have confirmed its effectiveness in reducing blood glucose due to the sticky pectin found in its mucilage. Simply blend prepared and chopped cactus with some water to thin. Drink two tablespoons of cactus juice in the morning and two tablespoons at night. (See Suite101.com's "How to Lower Blood Sugar with Cactus.")
Bitter melon and other green foods. Bitter melon is highly effective in leveling blood glucose. For centuries, cultures around the world have used bitter melon to lower blood sugar naturally. Bitter melon juice or tea is sold in Asian markets. Consuming the melon fresh, cooked or raw, requires caution for children and pregnant women due to hypoglycemia.
Vinegar. On-going trials are testing the efficacy of vinegar in lowering blood sugar levels and so far have promising results. Doctors theorize that properties in vinegar mimic the actions of diabetes medication such as Metformin. Participants in clinical trials took a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar before each meal.
Cinnamon. As little as 1 gram of cinnamon a day can have positive effects for diabetics. The beneficial component in cinnamon is not affected by heat which makes it a good additive to decaffeinated coffee or tea.
Coffee. Studies show that coffee drinkers have a 30 percent lower risk for developing diabetes. But stick with decaffeinated. Caffeine is known to cause spikes in blood sugar.
Tea. Both black and green teas boosts insulin activity while the polyphenols contained in the tea reduce the amount of the enzyme, amylase, that is necessary to convert starch into glucose. Decaffeinated teas are the way to go.
Water. Water was the first natural remedy prescribed by the human body itself. Diabetics experience excess thirst as a way for the body to flush out the excess glucose from the blood. Drink plenty of water.
Fasting. Those with Type I insulin-dependent diabetes should never fast. However, serious consideration is being given to the effectiveness of fasting for overweight Type II diabetics. Fasting has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity; some claim that a fasting program or low calorie diet has reversed their diabetes.
Exercise. Burn off the surplus of glucose in the blood. Sugar is an energy source. Use it up with plenty of exercise.
Stress reduction. Stress causes the body to release hormones that, if produced on a chronic basis, can have harmful effects including increasing insulin resistance.
Avoiding the Causes of High Blood Sugar Levels:
Diabetes is not only an inherited disease. While genetics play a strong role in determining whether or not one will develop the metabolic disorder, health experts agree that the recent surge in diabetes cases is a response to contemporary dietary practices. More than ever throughout history, humans consume too many calories from foods that are heavily processed with sugar.
Sugary drinks, especially colas and sodas, are the main culprit. Refined wheat products and other starchy foods - pastas, breads and pastries - follow a close second. Couple these with an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, as humans no longer rely on physical labor to earn their sustenance, and an overload of calories puts enormous demands on our pancreas, liver and kidneys to metabolize excess glucose.
Food to Avoid to Manage Blood Sugar Naturally:
The natural remedies for lowering blood sugar will not counteract poor health habits. For diabetics who do not take medication or who refuse treatment, it is critical to avoid the following foods, even in moderation:
Sugar. Glucose comes in many forms and even natural sugars such as fructose from fruit causes blood sugar to shoot up. Be aware that sugar is found in many products from pickles to sauces. Sodas and caffeinated drinks. Caffeine causes blood sugar spikes. Sodas contain sugar. Be sure to read the labels of sodas to be aware of their carbohydrate amounts.
Refined wheat products. Refined food products contain too many calories and starch that gets converted into glucose too quickly. Products to avoid include pasta and noodles, breads and pastries.
Alcohol. Diabetics already put too much strain on their kidneys and liver without adding the stress of metabolizing and filtering out the harmful effects of alcohol. Drinking alcohol hastens the progression of the disease.
Aspirin. Check with your doctor about the possible problems associated with taking aspirin and acetaminophen. These substances are known to cause liver problems.
Taking control of your diabetic care should not substitute for your doctor-prescribed treatment program, but including these natural remedies to lower your blood sugar could have positive effects on your blood sugar management. Keep track of your blood sugar numbers and report them to your physician. Both of you may be pleasantly surprised to see how these natural diabetes remedies can help. Good luck. (05/20/2009)
Check out my post to a person who has bloating from eating wheat, in the same issue as the one from you. I was type 2 diabetic and along with everything else, the HCl lowered my blood sugar. It was incredible. No more spikes of glucose, even after eating things that raise it fast and for a long time and brought down fasting blood levels. It is a slow process, mine is still going down. Morning levels were 115-125 and now they are 89-92. The adrenals control blood glucose levels, when things are wrong in your body, the adrenals act all wrong.
By fixing my digestion, it fixed a whole chain of things, ending up helping my adrenals. There is a lot more to it and I am still researching things, cause I need to understand. There are a lot of hormones released and converted, when digestion is how it should be. I've also lost 19# in 5 mos., without trying. I was trying to find something for my stomach, which was a misery and found help for everything else that was a serious problem. There were many, the type 2 diabetes was just the topper. (05/27/2009)
About the only advice I can offer to you is: keep your blood sugar levels within normal ranges with Diet, Diet, Diet, and exercise. Many people have gone on a good diet, added some walking (exercise) to their life, and their blood sugar levels have dropped back into the Normal Ranges.
Go on-line and look for a diabetic diet. Find one that you can manage. Cut the sugar from your diet, especially soft drinks. There are many sugar-free foods that are available. Jello, pudding, even frozen ice cream bars are sugar free today. Eat lots of salads, chicken, vegetables, and fruits. In other words, good foods. :)
Most hospitals, or even the Health Department offer many programs about lowering your blood sugar. They offer diets, and help you with staying on the diet. Try to find one close to you, and see what they offer. You may meet someone else, and the two of you could walk together, and plan your menu, or even go to the grocery together. It won't be easy at first. But you can do it. Lots of luck to you. (05/27/2009)
Just a quick word about eating fruit: get fresh fruit whenever you can. If you get canned fruit, do your best to get the kind that's packed in its own juice, rather than any kind of syrup, even light syrup. (05/28/2009)
Google "Low GI diets," and see what comes up. You will also have to exercise; swimming and walking being the cheapest and best. However, if at all financially possible, check with a dietitian and a specialist physician, even if only once, for their advice. Each person is unique and diabetes is a life-threatening disease, so make sure whatever you do, will be right for you! God bless! (06/01/2009)
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