Natural Remedies Help Diabetes Treatment
Learn about foods and natural substances that work as a natural remedy to help treat diabetes symptoms
Tesa Robbins image by Pixabay
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of diabetics is growing and, currently, almost 250 million people have diabetes in the world. The disease is already considered an epidemic and each year about seven million people enter this list. In Brazil, the Brazilian Society of Diabetes (SBD) estimates that 12 million people have the disease, but about half of them do not know it.
- Diabetes: what it is, types and symptoms
The disease is classified into two types: type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas suddenly stops producing insulin. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, affects the body's ability to convert the sugar present in the blood into energy, that is, the body does not respond or produce insulin as it should.
Type 1 is autoimmune and there is no prevention, since type 2 diabetes could be avoided in most cases with regular physical activity and healthy eating. According to the director of Associação Diabetes Brasil, around 90% of patients have type 2 diabetes. This data is alarming and makes us rethink our power over our own health and disease control through food.
Acquiring a healthy life is essential for everyone, but especially for those who discover they have diabetes, even if the person does not have symptoms. This way, you prevent the condition from getting worse and avoid the feared complications, such as blindness, kidney failure, circulatory problems and heart attack.
According to the Ministry of Health, diabetes kills four times more than AIDS in Brazil. Understanding how it works and how it causes changes in the body is essential to avoid complications. Therefore, we have selected recipes and foods that can help you to prevent and control diabetes - they do not replace treatment, but are natural remedies that work together with drugs to alleviate diabetes symptoms. Remembering that it is always necessary to consult a doctor or doctor and inform about possible changes in your diet and determine appropriate strategies for the treatment of your case.
The main goal in controlling diabetes is to lower blood glucose levels. Measures that can help people with diabetes to achieve this are: maintain a healthy diet, practice physical activities regularly and take medication. A healthy lifestyle does not mean a cure, but it can offer you a quality of life with a reduction in symptoms. The first step is caloric restriction and refraining from consuming simple sugars. Discover "Six Natural Sweetener Options without Synthetic Sweetener".
There are several substances in nature that have been studied for their role in preventing or reducing symptoms of diabetes. However, we remember the need to always monitor your blood sugar levels and to consult your doctor or doctor about taking supplements.
Here is a list of ten foods that are natural remedies capable of helping in the treatment of diabetes:
1. Alpha Lipoic Acid
It is present in foods such as spinach, broccoli, peas, liver, potatoes, brewer's yeast, Brussels sprouts and rice bran. Several studies relate the substance to an improvement in glucose metabolism and increased insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, research indicates that it may contribute to the reduction of injuries caused by peripheral neuropathy resulting from diabetes. Alpha lipoic acid capsule supplements help reduce blood sugar levels and are a great natural remedy for diabetes. They are available at health food stores and some pharmacies. Remembering that it is good to consult your doctor about the possibility of taking the supplement.
2. Gymnema (sylvestre gymnema)
The plant has been used in the treatment of diabetes in Ayurvedic medicine for over two thousand years. The vegetable is native to the rainforests of India and Africa and has been widely studied for its properties of reducing blood glucose levels by decreasing its intestinal absorption. Other side effects that have also been linked to plant intake are related to weight and cholesterol reductions.
3. Chromium
Chromium or chromium can be found in foods, such as brewer's yeast, oysters, liver, cheese, bananas, oilseeds and potatoes, in the form of trivalent chromium (Cr3+). Deficiency of this mineral is associated with changes related to diabetes, such as insulin resistance, reduction of its receptors, glucose intolerance and inability to use it as an energy source. Chromium supplementation increases insulin sensitivity.
4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon, in addition to being tasty, can be an ally in the treatment of diabetes. Regular use of the spice helps regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
5. Beta glucan
It is found in cereals such as oats, mushrooms, yeast and barley. Fiber is very important for maintaining health (learn more about the benefits of fiber here). Beta-glucans are highly viscous fibers and their ingestion is related to the attenuation of the glycemic and insulin response. Therefore, they have been studied as effective in reducing cholesterol levels and blood glucose levels. Fiber is an excellent natural remedy for diabetes and its intake, combined with treatment, is recommended to modulate blood glucose and insulin requirements.
6. Blueberry
Fruit consumption is related to reducing the possibility of developing various diseases. The blueberry or blueberry is related to the prevention of diabetes. In addition, it is useful in the treatment because it has properties that reduce insulin resistance.
7. Ginseng
You may have heard about the benefits of Ginseng and its use in Chinese medicine. But, among other properties, the family ginseng Araliaceae it has been researched for its hypoglycemic potential, that is, it acts directly as a natural remedy in reducing blood glucose concentration.
8. Momordica charantia
Known as bitter melon or melon-de-Saint-Caetano, the vegetable is related to glucose tolerance in diabetic patients. A survey, published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, points out that 73% of the patients analyzed had a higher glucose tolerance after treatment with the plant. Plant extracts or teas can be used as a natural remedy for diabetes.
9. Fenugreek
Fenugreek is an herb used for thousands of years by oriental medicine to treat various diseases. One of its uses is precisely as a natural remedy for diabetes. Research shows that the herb improves glucose tolerance and lowers blood sugar levels due to its hypoglycemic activity. You can find fenugreek supplements, powdered and capsules, at health food stores.
10. Radish
The delicious vegetable with a spicy flavor combines a lot in salads and brings several health benefits, such as weight loss aid. Its use is not that popular, but researches show that it is a vegetable that, if added to the diet, can help in the treatment of diabetes. Radish helps reduce blood glucose levels.
In traditional medicine, several other vegetables are used as natural remedies for diabetes. Some examples are alfalfa, aloe vera, barley, burdock, evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, fish oils, chestnut seed extract, rosemary and spirulina, among others. However, remember the need to always monitor your blood sugar levels and talk to your doctor about taking supplements.
The ingestion of these vegetables must be accompanied by a healthy diet, with high fiber intake and physical exercise. Staying hydrated and relaxed is also very important. Stress and depression can cause blood sugar levels to rise. Diabetes is a condition that forces you to lead a healthier life. With the correct monitoring and adjustments to the routine, it is possible to enjoy life with quality.