When it comes to managing diabetes, many different approaches can be taken by different individuals. Some people prefer to take medication to control their blood sugar levels, while others rely on natural remedies or dietary interventions. In this post, we will explore some of the home remedies for diabetes and provide tips on how to use them safely. It’s important to understand that not all home remedies for diabetes are safe. Therefore, some may cause severe effects and should not be used without first consulting healthcare providers with experience in natural home remedies for diabetes. Before using any home remedies, it is also important to track blood sugar levels regularly to ensure that diabetes is effectively managed.
Types of Diabetes
There are two types of diabetes;
- Type I diabetes
- Type II diabetes
Let’s get more details about these two types of diabetes.
Type I Diabetes
Type I diabetes is also known as juvenile diabetes because it usually occurs in people whose ages are below 20 years. This type of diabetes makes the body completely or partially fail to produce insulin hence autoimmune disease.
Type I diabetes makes the immune system attack the pancreas where the insulin is produced, limiting the pancreas to produce enough or no insulin. This type of diabetes can only be controlled by having a healthy lifestyle but cannot be prevented.
Type II Diabetes
Type II diabetes is the most common type of diabetes around the world. It mostly happens to people above 40 years. Type II diabetes is caused because of insulin resistance.
In that case, the pancreas produces enough insulin, but the body doesn’t respond to it effectively. This is resulted by hormone imbalance, being overweight, poor dietary plans, high blood pressure, too much stress, and medications.
Unlike type I diabetes which can only be controlled but cannot be prevented, type II diabetes can be reversed.
Other types of Diabetes include;
· Monogenic diabetes
· Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes
· Gestational diabetes
What are Home Remedies for Diabetes?
Home remedies for diabetes are a great way to manage the disease without having to go to the doctor. Here are natural home remedies for diabetes that can help keep it under control.
Manage Carb Intake
A diabetic patient’s body does not use or make insulin well. Insulin is a hormone that helps sugar (glucose) get into cells to give them energy. Too much sugar stays in the bloodstream when there is little or no insulin in the body.
Over time, having too much sugar in the bloodstream can cause serious problems such as heart attack, kidneys, eyes, teeth, gums, and nerves.
Diabetes can be controlled by managing carb intake and taking a portion of healthy food. Carbohydrates are found in different foods, including pieces of bread, cereals, starchy vegetables, legumes, fruits, milk, and yogurt. When we eat foods that contain carbohydrates, the body breaks them down into blood sugar. Managing carb intake can help in keeping blood sugar levels on target.
Fenugreek
This is an herb with several impacts on the body. Fenugreek is known to keep diabetes in track while lowering blood sugar levels it improves glucose tolerance and stimulates insulin secretion.
Soak two spoons of fenugreek seeds in water for about 8-24 hours and drink it plus its seed in the morning while on empty stomach.
As one of the natural home remedies, fenugreek will help lower the glucose level in the body.
Eat More Fiber
A high-fiber dietary plan has been proven to help control blood sugar levels for people with diabetes. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest.
It aids in slowing down the absorption of other types of carbohydrates, which helps to keep blood sugar levels from rising too high after a meal.
A fiber-rich diet may also help protect against heart disease and lower cholesterol levels.
Bitter Gourd
Bitter gourd or karela is an age-old remedy for diabetes. It is an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, and C. It also contains minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc. Bitter gourd increases insulin sensitivity and helps to regulate blood sugar levels.It is also a good source of dietary fiber, which helps to regulate digestion and blood sugar levels. Bitter gourd can be consumed in the state of a smoothie or as a sabzi.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon lowers fasting blood sugar levels and may decrease hemoglobin A1C. Many studies have shown that cinnamon is perfect for reducing blood sugar levels. For instance, 543 people with type II diabetes taking cinnamon had a decrease of over 24 mg/dL (1.33mol/L).
Studies investigating the effects of cinnamon on hemoglobin A1C have yielded conflicting results from study to study. Some studies show no effect, while others report a significant decrease in hemoglobin A1C.
The presence of bioactive compounds in it can help fight and prevent diabetes.
Portion Control
Portion control is another home remedy for diabetes and is a critical way of managing diabetes. Eating in small portions controls blood sugar levels and avoids spikes throughout the day. Diabetic patients should note that it’s important to pay attention to what is eaten and how much it’s eaten.
Portion control doesn’t have to mean eating less food. It simply means being mindful of the amount of food they’re consuming and making sure it’s in line with their goals. If a person want to lose weight, for example, be advised to eat smaller portions than someone who is trying to maintain their weight.
Below are some tips for managing portion sizes;
- Eat slowly
- Try to keep a food journal
- Weigh and measure portions
- Check the serving sizes and read food labels before buying them
- Use small plates
- Keep off from all-can-eat hotels
Aloe Vera
In 2015, research was done and it suggested that aloe vera supplements or juice have several advantages for people with diabetes. The study has shown that aloe vera gel helped reduce body fat weight and lower fasting blood glucose levels in the body.
Despite aloe Vera being bitter, it can be consumed to reduce the blood sugar levels in the body. Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory properties, which block some substances that cause inflammation.
Moringa or Drumsticks
Diabetes is gradually becoming a problematic health concern for US citizens and the entire world. M. Oleifera (moringa oleifera) has been medically suggested to prevent and treat diabetes however, there is no persuasive evidence relating to decrease blood sugar levels in the human body.
Exercise
Exercise is a key component of managing diabetes. During exercise, the body uses glucose for energy. This helps to lower blood sugar levels. Exercise also helps to improve the amount insulin sensitivity.
Therefore this means that the body will be able to use insulin to lower blood sugar levels. Exercise also helps to improve cardiovascular health. This is important because people with diabetes are at a higher risk for heart disease.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has many benefits for people with diabetes. It helps their body to absorb glucose better and to use insulin more effectively and efficiently. Vitamin C also helps to protect the body’s cells from damage and reduces inflammation.
Jamun Remedies
Jamuns is an Indian fruit that is known to help in diabetes. What are Jamun bark, leaves, and seeds contain compounds that help in regulating blood sugar levels. These compounds help increase insulin sensitivity and reduce the sugar level absorbed by food. Jamun also helps reduce the risk of diabetes complications such as heart disease and stroke.
Apple Cider Vinegar Remedies
There are several benefits of apple cider vinegar, including helping to regulate blood sugar levels in the body. Vinegar has acetic acid, which has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and help lower blood sugar levels.
Apple cider vinegar also contains pectin, a soluble fiber that may help regulate sugar absorption rate into the bloodstream.
Amla Remedies
Indian gooseberry, or Amla, is a traditional ayurvedic remedy for diabetes. Amla is rich in antioxidants and has a hypoglycemic effect, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels. It is also a good fiber source, which helps regulate digestion and prevent spikes in blood sugar levels.
Amla is consumed in the form of a pickle or powder.
Water Remedies
Water is important for people with diabetes. It helps to regulate blood sugar levels and prevents the body from becoming too much dehydrated. It’s also important to drink water during, before, and after any physical exercise to prevent dehydration of the body.
Health-wise, we should drink around 2.5l per day to prevent body dehydration.
Mango Leaves Remedies
Fresh mango leaves are one of the effective home remedies for diabetes as they help in managing and even treating the disease.
How to use mango leaves
I. Wash and then sun-dry mango leaves.
II. Grind the dry leaves to powder.
III. Consume the powder with water every morning and night on a daily basis.
Ways to reduce the risk of Diabetes
- Make water a primary beverage
- Making water the first beverage that comes to mind helps avoid other beverages loaded with preservatives and sugar.
- For a long time now, sugary beverages have been associated with increased latent autoimmune diabetes in adults and type II diabetes
- If overweighing, lose weight
- Even though not everybody who develops type II diabetes is overweighing, a good number of victims are. Excess visceral fat promotes insulin resistance and inflammation, which increases an individual’s risk of diabetes.
- Studies show that losing 10% of body weight reduces the chances of getting type II diabetes. Therefore, the more weight loss, the fewer the chances of diabetes. This is the best practical home remedy for diabetes for patients who are obese.
Quit Smoking Remedies
Well, smoking might be fun, but it has been linked to serious health conditions. Direct smoking or passive smoking exposes users to type II diabetes.
Smoking is believed to increase the diabetes risk by 40%, and individuals who smoke 15 or more cigarettes a day increase their risk by 61%.
Benefits of using home remedies for diabetes
There are a few common benefits of using home remedies for diabetes.
- Home remedies for diabetes are often much cheaper than commercial diabetes treatments.
- Home remedies are typically all-natural, which means they are gentle on the body and have fewer side effects than some diabetes medications.
- They can be tailored to the individual, meaning that they can be more effective than one-size-fits-all commercial treatments.
What are the risks associated with using home remedies for diabetes?
As with any medical treatment, there are few risks associated with home remedies for diabetes. While some home remedies may be effective in managing diabetes, they may also cause severe side effects.
Speaking with a professional healthcare provider before using any home remedy is important, as they can help assess the home remedy’s risks and benefits.
Here are some of the risks associated with home remedies for diabetes include:
Hypoglycemia: This is a condition where blood sugar levels drop too low. It can be caused by taking too much insulin, skipping meals, or exercising too strenuously.
Symptoms of Hypoglycemia
- Shakiness
- Sweating
- Headache
- Dizziness
If left untreated, hypoglycemia can lead to coma or death.
Hyperglycemia: This is a condition where blood sugar levels become too high. Diabetic patients’ bodies aren’t able to use glucose (sugar) properly. This causes sugar to build up in the bloodstream when it becomes too much, it may result in serious health problems
- Hyperglycemia can happen if;
- Eat more than usual
- Have an infection
- Don’t exercise as much as usual
- Don’t take diabetes medicine properly
Symptoms of Hyperglycemia
The symptoms below might be a result of hyperglycemia;
- Feel tired or weak
- Feel hungry most of the time
- Feel thirsty
- Need to urinate more often
Bottom Line
There are many home remedies for diabetes, some tackled, others not, but healthy eating is the best way to manage diabetes. It reduces the chances of contracting other diseases like kidney, liver, and cardiovascular diseases.
Patients should measure their blood sugar levels after every to help them monitor the progress and impact on their bodies. Get a course on how to keep blood sugar level neutral using natural home remedies for diabetes, and together, we’ll defeat this disease.
