Heightened awareness about diabetes has helped to reinforce the concept that management of the disease rests with the individual and his or her lifestyle choices. Among these lifestyle decisions are diet, weight control, exercise and stress management.
Interestingly, patients and their families are more important than doctors or medicines prescribed for controlling diabetes.
Diabetes is a nutritional disorder in which the body is unable to produce enough insulin to burn the sugars and starches consumed. When insulin is reduced, excess sugar builds up in the bloodstream. This excess is passed out in urine. High blood-glucose levels damage blood vessels, causing long-term health conditions.
Diabetics may experience some symptoms like frequent urination, excessive thirst, tiredness, weakness and light-headedness. Diabetes is debilitating as diabetics may suffer from nervous disorders (neuropathy), kidney disorders (nephropathy) and eye disorders (retinopathy).
Nutritional deficiency
Your risk for diabetes is increased if you are from a family with a history of the disease. Other causes of diabetes include stress and anxiety, high-carbohydrate diet, nutritional deficiency, lack of exercise, obesity and other diseases which interfere with body functions.
If individuals can control diabetes by oral medication or insulin, they reap rich rewards. Other alternatives such as herbs and nutrients can play a part in disease control, including diabetes. If you choose to use natural remedies, do so with your doctor's knowledge.
Herbal tradition
For ages, herbs have been used in maintaining health and aiding recovery from disease. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese and Native Indians revered and respected the powers of nature and the herbal kingdom.
Age-old natural remedies were discarded for modern pharmacopoiea, which provided quick, temporary relief with little motivation to the users to change their lifestyles, including unhealthy eating habits. However, these drugs did not fulfil their promise of magical cures and produced, in some instances, severe life-threatening side effects. This has led to the resurgence of herbal medicine, along with nutrition and holistic approaches to health.
Natural remedies for diabetes include herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables.
Aloe vera
The gel of aloe vera, a well-known home remedy for burns and other skin conditions, has helped diabetics. Researchers in a Japanese study isolated a number of active phytosterol compounds from the gel that reduced blood glucose. A blend of the gel of a one-inch piece with orange juice every morning stabilises blood sugar.
Bay leaves
Grind dry leaves to a fine powder. Add five grams to warm water and drink for 10 continuous days to lower hyperglycaemia.
Bitter melon
Also known as bitter gourd, it is a popular Asian vegetable which helps to keep blood sugar at a manageable level. Bitter melon stimulates beta cells of the pancreas to produce quality, sufficient insulin. Consume one tablespoon of bitter melon every morning.
Black raisins
Soak in water overnight and strain in the morning. Drink the clear liquid regularly to control blood sugar.
Cinnamon
Type Two diabetics who have regularly used great-tasting cinnamon have reported improved blood-glucose control. Cinnamon contains an extract, Cinnulin PF, which efficiently works at the cellular level to reduce blood sugar.
A study in the journal, Diabetes Care, indicated a significant reduction in blood glucose in people taking three grams/three times of cinnamon daily. There was significant reduction in fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek contains trigonelline, coumarin, fibre and non-protein amino acids, which assist with reduction of blood glucose. Fenugreek seeds should be soaked in water overnight. The seeds are mashed in the morning and combined with the water. Drink the mixture regularly for two months.
Fresh fruit concoction
This is ideal for breakfast or snack. Blend two stalks of celery, an apple, callaloo leaves, cucumber slices and a dash of lime juice. Apple is high in fibre and contains pectin, which can control blood-sugar levels. Variations can include any fruit and vegetable.
Garlic
By increasing the consumption of garlic, diabetics should reduce blood sugar levels.
Ginseng
Although there are different types of ginseng, studies on ginseng and diabetes indicate that the most promising is North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), which may improve blood-sugar control and haemoglobin levels in the blood.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit and its juice help with weight loss, which reduces the risk for an increase in blood sugar.
Green bananas
Cut off the skin and dry in the sun to remove the moisture. Grind the dry bananas to powder and add one teaspoonful to cow's milk and drink daily. This remedy supplements the requisite amount of carbohydrate required by the body.
Green plantains can be washed and peeled, then placed in a jar.
Green tea
Preliminary studies have shown that green-tea extract may help prevent Type Two diabetes through improved glucose tolerance.
Gymnema
This contains gymnemic acid, which helps to enhance the production of insulin, increasing the uptake of glucose into glycogen in liver, kidney and muscle. Studies have shown that when diabetics are given gymnema extract and oral hypoglycaemic drugs, patients experienced improved blood-sugar control. Subsequently, they were able to considerably reduce their drug dosage.
Gymnemic extract is without side effects and exerts the ability to lower blood sugar in diabetics. Diabetics taking medications for diabetes, or using insulin, should not take gymnema, unless they are closely monitored by a doctor.
Mango leaves
Mango leaves also help fight diabetic disease. It is recommended to boil three to four fresh mango leaves in the morning and drink.
Red peppers
Used in providing relief for diabetic foot pain and severe ankle foot pain known as the burning foot pain.
Soybean is protein-rich and contain iron, calcium, vitamin A and fibre and are useful to the diabetic diet.
Vegetables
Besides bitter melon, other vegetables are helpful in diabetes management. These include string beans, cucumbers, onion and garlic. String bean pod tea contains a natural substitute for insulin. Cucumbers contain a hormone needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin. Onions and garlic have proven beneficial in reducing blood sugar in diabetics.
Vinegar
Used on a salad or just drinking two tablespoons straight before a meal, may prevent spikes in insulin or glucose after eating.
Zinc
This mineral plays an important role in the production and storage of insulin. Sources of zinc include fresh oysters, ginger root, pecans, split peas, egg yolk, beef liver, almonds, walnuts, sardines and chicken.
The objective of diabetes management is to keep blood sugar in check. Besides the use of natural remedies, essential lifestyle activities include being active to burn calories in the body, strict dietary control, controlling weight, reducing fatty and sweet foods and include lavish amounts of fruits and vegetables.
Be sure to monitor sugar levels every day to ensure that blood sugar does not drop to a hypoglycaemic level.
Heather Little-White, PhD, is a nutrition and lifestyle consultant in the Corporate Area. Send comments to editor@gleanerjm.com or fax 922-6223.