Ok, so we were told to keep our blood sugar levels down to as close to normal levels
as possible. Maybe we are taking one or more oral medications to do that, or maybe
insulins. Of course diet and exercise are emphasized. In addition to what our doc
may have recommended, there are numerous naturally-occurring vitamins, minerals,
essential fatty acids and herbs that can positively affect blood glucose levels. This
may lead to a reduced, or even eliminated, need for medications.
Vitamins, minerals and such are generally considered ‘alternative’ medicine, and
many medical professionals consider them unnecessary or dangerous unless
treating a proven deficiency. It is believed a healthy diet provides all the nutrition we
need. How many people actually eat a perfectly balanced healthy diet? I mean, if
we did, we may not have Type 2 diabetes in the first place. Then throw in lifestyle,
stress, fast-foods, depleted soil conditions, food processing, pesticides, cooking and
storage methods all serve to decrease the available nutrients in food. Our own
impaired health or even hidden food allergies may further limit our body’s ability to
digest and absorb what nutrients are available. The Recommended Daily
Allowances are the minimal levels needed for an average healthy male to avoid
diseases of malnutrition, such as scurvy or beri-beri. This means anyone else, such
as a women, pregnant or lactating females, older persons, or someone with less than
perfect health, will need higher doses of nutrients to avoid deficiency. This says
nothing about optimal health, well-being or functioning.
As for the illusion that supplements only lead to expensive urine, well, how many
medical drugs are excreted in urine or feces yet continue to exert health benefits?
Prozac is showing up in the drinking water in the U.K., having been excreted from so
many people, but no one dares say it is ineffective. Often saturating the body with
such high amount of vitamins is needed for healing; what is no longer needed, is
excreted. And finally, despite media attention, there has never been a clearly
defined death from the use of supplementation, at any dose, in over 60 years of
research and use.
Now that we see supplements, while somewhat foreign to the medical world, are not
generally dangerous, lets see some of their benefits in lowering blood sugars.
Please keep in mind the intent is to lower blood sugar levels, so be very careful of
your levels, aware of possible lows, and the necessity to adjust meds/insulin as
needed, so let your doctor know what you are doing. Also, some supplements may
cause diarrhea, nausea or G.I. discomfort at first, and may interact with medical
drugs.
Other supplements can also be used to protect us from long-term complications,
neurological damage, and treatment of neuropathy.
as possible. Maybe we are taking one or more oral medications to do that, or maybe
insulins. Of course diet and exercise are emphasized. In addition to what our doc
may have recommended, there are numerous naturally-occurring vitamins, minerals,
essential fatty acids and herbs that can positively affect blood glucose levels. This
may lead to a reduced, or even eliminated, need for medications.
Vitamins, minerals and such are generally considered ‘alternative’ medicine, and
many medical professionals consider them unnecessary or dangerous unless
treating a proven deficiency. It is believed a healthy diet provides all the nutrition we
need. How many people actually eat a perfectly balanced healthy diet? I mean, if
we did, we may not have Type 2 diabetes in the first place. Then throw in lifestyle,
stress, fast-foods, depleted soil conditions, food processing, pesticides, cooking and
storage methods all serve to decrease the available nutrients in food. Our own
impaired health or even hidden food allergies may further limit our body’s ability to
digest and absorb what nutrients are available. The Recommended Daily
Allowances are the minimal levels needed for an average healthy male to avoid
diseases of malnutrition, such as scurvy or beri-beri. This means anyone else, such
as a women, pregnant or lactating females, older persons, or someone with less than
perfect health, will need higher doses of nutrients to avoid deficiency. This says
nothing about optimal health, well-being or functioning.
As for the illusion that supplements only lead to expensive urine, well, how many
medical drugs are excreted in urine or feces yet continue to exert health benefits?
Prozac is showing up in the drinking water in the U.K., having been excreted from so
many people, but no one dares say it is ineffective. Often saturating the body with
such high amount of vitamins is needed for healing; what is no longer needed, is
excreted. And finally, despite media attention, there has never been a clearly
defined death from the use of supplementation, at any dose, in over 60 years of
research and use.
Now that we see supplements, while somewhat foreign to the medical world, are not
generally dangerous, lets see some of their benefits in lowering blood sugars.
Please keep in mind the intent is to lower blood sugar levels, so be very careful of
your levels, aware of possible lows, and the necessity to adjust meds/insulin as
needed, so let your doctor know what you are doing. Also, some supplements may
cause diarrhea, nausea or G.I. discomfort at first, and may interact with medical
drugs.
Other supplements can also be used to protect us from long-term complications,
neurological damage, and treatment of neuropathy.
(Home)(Food Court)(Recipes)(Diabetes Management)(Alternative Medicine)(Humour)(Famous People)(Support)(Archives)
By: Rachel Mason
- Vanadium -Vanadyl Sulfate - Recent studies show vanadium acts very
similarly to insulin in its mechanism in the body, functioning to reduce blood
glucose levels. Both vanadium and insulin work on the blood glucose
metabolism to stimulate GLUT-4 transporters to bring glucose inside the cells.
In essence, vanadium mimics insulin, with its effects lasting long after
supplementing stops. Suggested doses are between 45-150mg. daily.
- Chromium - Chromium Picolinate - Diets high in sugar and refined grains
have been shown to deplete chromium in the body. Over 40 years of
research have shown that chromium improves glucose metabolism, helps
lower insulin resistence, and helps to let the glucose in the cells. Additionally,
it helps increase muscle mass and decrease body fat, which aids in weight
loss. Finally, chromium helps reduce sugar cravings. Recommended dose is
200-400mcg. daily.
- Lipoic Acid - ALA, or in Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA & DHA) - In addition to
being a very powerful anti-oxidant cleaning up damage throughout the body,
ALA also improves insulin sensitivity. It is thought to do this through the GLUT-
4 mechanism, bringing the glucose into body cells, the same as insulin.
Among its other wonders, are improving circulation, stimulating regeneration of
nerves, improving neuropathy, and reducing attaching glucose to body parts
where it shouldn’t be - like proteins (glycosylation), and protecting the eyes
from long-term damage and complications. The recommended dosage is
between 200-600mg.
- Omega-3 - acids are part of the structural wall of every cell, keeping it intact
and able to respond to chemical messengers - like insulin. The EPA
component aids in burning fatty acids in the liver, lowering cholesterol and
triglyceride levels. It acts as a blood thinner, reducing clots. The typical North
American diet is deficient in these natural fats. Recent studies, while
inconclusive, indicate omega-3 may increase the activity of GLUT-4
transporters, allowing more glucose to enter the cells. Recommended dose is
1 or 2 tbsp. of flax seeds, or 2-4 capsules containing 360mg EPA in fish oil
each.
- Biotin - A B-complex vitamin, required for the metabolism of fats into amino
acids, improving insulin sensitivity, and glucose metabolism in the liver. Some
studies have also shown biotin to improve neuropathy. Suggested dose is
8mg twice a day.
- Gymnema Sylvestre - This plant, native to central and southern India, have
been used in Ayurvedic medicine since the 6th century B.C. Studies on both
animals and humans seem to indicate it has some abilities to regenerate the
pancreatic beta cells, increasing insulin production and normalizing blood
sugar levels. Recommended dose is 400mg daily.
- Banaba Leaf - This herb increases glucose entering into the cells, thereby
lowering blood sugar levels. The most notable effects was in a faster return of
after-meal blood sugars to near-normal levels. Recommended dose is 48mg
of oil-based extract.
- Bitter Melon - A tropical fruit from Asia, Africa and South America, having
multiple uses. Studies show this reduces blood glucose levels.
Recommended dose is 3/4 oz. per day.
- Ivy Gourd - Coccinia indica is a wild plant from India. Several studies show it
may be helpful in reducing blood sugar levels.
- Fenugreek - This legume from India, the Mediterranean and North Africa, has
been used for centuries treating diabetes.
- American Ginseng - Some studies indicate it improves blood sugar
regulation, most effectively after meals.
- Essiac and Taheebo Teas - These herbal teas have been used by the
Native inhabitants of North America and South America, respectively, to treat
cancer, being very powerful anti-oxidants and nutrient-rich. These teas have
consistent results reducing blood sugar levels and healing many imbalances
within the body.
- Cinnamon, Basil, Cumin - All have been shown to reduce blood sugar. And
taste yummy. Several recent medical studies with cinnamon, show that in
doses of 1tsp per day or ½ of a cinnamon stick, blood sugar is significantly
lowered. This does not mean it is ok to have cinnamon toast every morning!
7th Edition Feb 2006