Diabetes Home Remedies

Diabetes can be treated naturally with herbal ingredients like stevia, gymnema, fenugreek, bittergourd, green tea, turmeric and neem. Diabetes is a chronic health problem which is caused by elevated blood sugar contents. Blood sugar, or glucose is needed to supply energy for every cell in the body. If glucose levels become too elevated, then they become toxic to the brain and other organs. Diabetes is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels and by the excretion of excess glucose in the urine. The absolute or relative lack of insulin can lead to abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and proteins.

Diabetes is described as a "prosperity disease" as it is caused by over-eating and consequent obesity. It is caused not just by overeating of sugar and carbohydrates, but also of proteins and fats, as they are also transformed to sugar when taken in excess. Excess food taxes the pancreas and eventually paralyses its normal functioning. Grief, worry and anxiety can also cause fluctuations in sugar metabolism. Grave diseases like cancer, tuberculosis and cerebral diseases can trigger diabetes. Heredity plays a major role in causing diabetes as well.

There are three types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes affects children mostly and type three or gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent and also called adult-onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes. In this case, the body produces sufficient insulin, but the insulin and the glucose it transports cannot effectively enter into cells. Gestational diabetes affect pregnant women.

Diabetes Symptoms

Diabetes goes undetected for a long time as they do not produce serious, obvious symptoms. Do watch out for strong thirst, frequent urination, excessive appetite, weight loss, fatigue, irritability and blurred vision. In diabetics, the urine maybe pale in color, with an acidic reaction and a sweet odor. They also look pale, may suffer from secondary issues like anemia, constipation, intense itching around the genital region, palpitations and general weakness.

Diabetes Lifestyle Choices

• Regular exercise is one of the best ways to help the cells use glucose efficiently and keep the blood sugar from climbing to dangerous levels. Exercise also helps the body to lose weight and use insulin more effectively. In the long term, it may also reduce insulin resistance.
• Instead of eating three large meals, have several smaller meals throughout the day to keep insulin and blood sugar steady. Do not go longer than three hours without eating.
• Don't smoke or expose yourself to second hand smoke. Diabetics are more vulnerable to heart and kidney damage, both of which are linked to smoking.
• Poor circulation and nerve damage can lead to foot ulcers in diabetics. Ensure good circulation in the feet by wearing shoes that fit well.

Diabetes Diet

• Eat foods that are rich in fiber. Fiber slows intestinal absorption of sugar and smoothes out blood sugar levels. Pears, beans, barley, blackberries and chick-peas are some sources of fiber.
• Okra is prescribed in Ayurveda as a remedy for blood sugar. Okra is quite delicious as a steamed or roasted vegetable.
• Prickly pear cactus is available in the Mexican sections of the grocery store. The pads can be diced and used in a salad or taco. It helps with diabetes, obesity and elevated blood cholesterol.
• Dandelion greens are hypoglycemic and they can be juiced or chopped into salads and soups. Ingesting dandelion can improve lipid profiles, cholesterol and triglycerides in diabetic patients.
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, cashew, cayenne, ginger, turmeric, bay leaf, coriander seed, turnip, lettuce, cabbage, cranberry, papaya fruit, millet, Jeruselam artichoke, barley, oats and buckwheat are a few other foods helpful for a diabetic. Incorporate some of them into your diet everyday.

Diabetes Herbal Remedies

• Turmeric Therapy For Diabetes

  One tsp of turmeric is added to some gooseberry(amla) juice and this mixture is consumed everyday. Alternatively, turmeric extracts or capsules can be taken. This is very effective in normalizing the blood glucose levels and reducing insulin resistance. Read other Turmeric home remedies.

• Fenugreek lowers Blood Sugar

  Fenugreek is a good blood-sugar lowering herb. It is also cheap and can be easily worked into dishes. It has a high soluble fiber content and alkaloids, which help with delayed gastric emptying, slow carbohydrate absorption and glucose transport. Fenugreek may also increase the number of insulin receptors in red blood cells and improve glucose utilization in peripheral tissues, thus showing anti-diabetic properties in the pancreas and other organs. Read other Fenugreek home remedies.

• Onion and Garlic help Sugar Metabolism

  Onions and garlic are significant hypoglycemic. The allicin and diallyl disulphide chemicals present in these lower glucose levels by competing with insulin in the liver. Clinical studies have shown that allicin in garlic combines with Vitamin B1 and stimulate the pancrease to release more insulin. It also arrests the chemical receptors that deactivate insulin. Onion and garlic not only help with insulin normalization, but also provide significant cardiovascular benefits as well. Read other Garlic home remedies .

• Cinnamon helps Type 2 Diabetes

  Cinnamon is beneficial to Type 2 diabetes as it can reduce blood sugar levels and increase the body's natural production of insulin. It can also improve cholesterol metabolism, remove artery-damaging free radicals from the blood and improve the functioning of the blood vessels. Try to consume half a teaspoon of cinnamon before breakfast, for about 40 days. You can also add cinnamon in your diet by sprinkling it in your cereal, tea or entree. Read other Cinnamon home remedies.

• Aloe Vera Diabetes Home Remedy

  Aloe juice is believed to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Aloe contains two chemicals - mannose and glucomannon; mannose helps open up the blood vessels and glucomannon helps in triglyceride production. Check out food grade Aloe juice in your neighbourhood. Read other Aloe home remedies.

• Chicory Benefit For Diabetes

  Chicory is very beneficial to diabetics as it contains Inulin, a fiber that has a low glycemic index and controls blood sugar levels. It can be used as a sweetner and added to beverages. Chicory not only helps with blood sugar, but also reduces the serum LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. Read other Chicory home remedies. .

• Neem reduces Insulin dependency

  Neem can reduce insulin requirements without altering blood glucose levels. Regular consumption of neem decoction or neem tablets is an effective alternative therapy for diabetes. Read other Neem home remedies.

• Amla reduces Blood Sugar

  One teaspoon of Amla juice mixed with a cup of bitter gourd juice is prescribed by naturopaths as it stimulates the Pancreas and it will secrete enough insulin for reducing blood sugar. Amla seeds or dried amla is equally invaluable for the control of Diabetes. Read other Amla home remedies.

• Mango Leaves for Diabetics

  Diabetics fear ripe mangoes for their high sugar content! But, mango leaves help normalize insulin levels in the blood. Boil a few mango leaves in water and allow it to saturate through the night. Consume the filtered decoction in the morning for diabetic home remedy. Alternatively, dry mango leaves, powder and store. Add about a teaspoon and boil in water and consume the filtered decoction. Read other Mango home remedies.

• Ashwagandha Treatment For Diabetic Neuropathy

  Ashwagandha, renowned for its adaptogenic and anti-inflammatory properties is very effective in cases of diabetic neuropathy. It improves the weakness, fatigue and weight loss due to diabetes. Ashwagandha can be consumed as capsules or tinctures. Read other Ashwagandha home remedies.

• Tinospora help for Diabetes

  Tinospora is very effective in resolving the symptoms of diabetes. Boil the stem pieces in 500 ml of water for 30 minutes. Drink 50 ml of this tinospora extract twice daily for a month. There will be a marked improvement in the condition. Read other Tinospora home remedies.

• Bitter Gourd Diabetes Remedy

  Bitter gourd or Karela(in Hindi) or balsam pear is a vegetable grown in Asia, Africa and South America. It contains a hypoglycemic or insulin-like principle, termed as "plant insulin". It has been found to lower blood and urine sugar levels. Bitter gourd contain a lectin which links together with insulin receptors and provide a way for managing Type 2 diabetes.
  Excessive usage of bitter gourd can cause diarrhea and abdominal discomfort. People with hypoglycemia or low sugar levels should not take this.

• Gymnema kills Sugar Cravings

  Gurmar, another name for Gymnema, means "killer of sweet" in Sansktrit. It can lower blood sugar, blood fats, triglycerides, and cholesterol, and repair the liver, kidney and muscle tissues. It shows potential for fixing pancreas malfunction, raising insulin output to normal levels. Gymnema also acts on taste buds and the surface of the intestines, and reduces the appeal for sugary foods. It is promising herb for both Type I and Type II diabetes.

• Stevia, the better sweetner

  Stevia is thirty times sweeter than sugar and yet has 1 calorie per 10 leaves, and it is totally natural. It has a long history of use in South America and holds promise as a sweetener for diabetics. Stevia has been found to lower blood sugar and blood pressure. It also does not cause tooth decay like regular sugars.

• Green Tea's role in Diabetes

  Green Tea contain catechins and epicatechins, plant compounds belonging to the flavonol category. They are powerful antioxidants and found to be beneficial for diabetes. Green tea can be consumed as a beverage, or a decaffeinated version can be ingested as capsules.

• Apple Cider Vinegar usage for Diabetes

  Apple cider vinegar has shown to reduce the raise of blood sugar after the consumption of a high carbohydrate meal. Fermented foods like apple cider vinegar that contain acetic acid has been shown to lower blood sugar by helping store excess glucose in the liver, thus reducing the body's rate of glucose production and absorption. Try to purchase apple cider vinegar that is least processed and dark. Two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar can be diluted in a cup of water and taken before the meal. You could also add the vinegar to your salad or main course.

Diabetes, Healing With Supplements

• Vitamin C

  Vitamin C helps prevent the sugar inside the cells from converting to sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that cells can neither burn for energy nor move out. Vitamin C may also be beneficial in diminishing the damage to proteins caused by free radicals. Dietary sorbitol is not a danger to diabetics though, as it is poorly absorbed and is not transported into the cells. Citrus fruits, guava and papaya are rich in Vitamin C. More on Vitamin C.

• Vitamin E

  Diabetics need more anti-oxidant protection than normal, Vitamin E helps alleviate some of those risks to the heart. Diabetics are two to four times more vulnerable to heart conditions. Vitamin E reduces the tendency for sugar to stick to proteins in the blood and can lower the percentage of triglycerides. More on Vitamin E

• Magnesium

  Magnesium is Anti-diabetic: It helps release insulin, maintenance of pancreatic insulin production cells, and maintenance of affinity and number of insulin receptors. More on Magnesium.

• Chromium

  Deficiency in Chromium not only affects sugar metabolism, but worsen the secondary symptoms of numbness, tingling and pain in the hands and legs. Chromium is a key player in sugar metabolism and hooks up with insulin in transporting sugar through the cell membrane and into the cell. Brewer's yeast, wheat germ, whole grains, cheese, soy products, onions and garlic are rich in chromium.

• B Complex Vitamins

  Vitamin B6, B12 and Biotin have important roles to play in sugar metabolism. Vitamin B6 deficiency can cause glucose intolerance, there is an abnormal increase in blood sugar after eating. People with diabetes tend to be low in B Vitamins, partly because the disease uses up most of them or they are improperly absorbed and excreted in the urine.