Diabetes is a lifelong condition that affects insulin and blood sugar levels in the body. It is a condition that arises when your blood sugar is too high. Blood glucose is the major source of energy and comes from the food we consume. On the other hand, insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, and it helps convert the glucose from food into the cells for energy production.
Diabetes has become a global challenge. It affects blood sugar and insulin levels in the body. With this condition, the body does not produce enough insulin. In other cases, it synthesizes insulin that the body is unable to use properly. Supplements and herbs do not cure diabetes, but some combine with conventional treatment to relieve symptoms and lower the risks of health complications.
Treatment involves lifestyle changes and sometimes medication. Some complementary therapies, like herbs and supplements, are also key. Either way, there is no cure for this condition. In this blog, we will discuss the various supplements that can help decrease diabetes.
Probiotics
Destruction of your gut bacteria from consuming antibiotics is linked with an elevated chance of multiple diseases, including diabetes. Probiotic supplements have beneficial bacteria (good bacteria) and other microbes thatprovide health benefits and boost the body’s handling of carbohydrates.
In research on type 2 diabetes, subjects who consumed probiotics for at least 8 weeks had a 16-mg/dl reduction in blood sugar and a 0.53% decrease in A1C compared to placebo. Besides, people who consumed probiotics consisting of more than one species of bacteria had a massive decrease in blood sugar of 35mg/dl. Research reveals that probiotics reduce blood sugar by lowering inflammation and forbidding the damage of pancreatic cells that produce insulin.
Berberine
Berberine is not a specific herb, but it is a bitter-tasting substance extracted from the roots and stems of certain plants, including goldenseal and Phellodendron. A study was conducted on folks with type 2 diabetes taking berberine combined with diet and lifestyle changes and found that blood sugar reduced by 15.5 mg/dl and A1C by 0.71% compared to lifestyle changes alone and diet.
Research indicates that berberine supplements taken alongside diabetes medication helps lower blood sugar more than medication alone. Also, berberine can boost insulin sensitivity and promote sugar uptake from the muscles, which helps lower blood sugar.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon supplements are either made from cinnamon extracts or powder. Many studies suggest it helps lower blood sugar, which helps control diabetes. Research of individuals with pre-diabetes consumed 250 mg of cinnamon extract before breakfast and dinner for 12 weeks. They experienced an 8.4% decrease in blood sugar compared to that of placebo.
Another study was conducted for people with type 2 diabetes who took either 120 or 360 mg of cinnamon extract before breakfast. It found a 14% decrease in blood sugar compared to a placebo. Cinnamon may help body cells to respond to insulin better. As such, it will propel sugar into your cells and reduce blood sugar.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is effective in helping to lower blood sugar. Supplements or juices extracted from leaves of this cactus-like plant could help reduce blood sugar and A1C in individuals with type 2 diabetes. In one study on individuals with type 2 diabetes, supplementing with aloe 4-14 weeks reduced blood sugar by 46.6 mg/dl and A1C by 1.05%.
Folks with blood sugar above 20 mg/dl before consuming aloe vera experienced even higher benefits. Research indicates that aloe vera stimulates insulin production in pancreatic cells. Common doses tested in research include 1000 mg daily in capsules or 30 ml (2 tablespoons) of aloe juice in split doses.
American Ginseng
American ginseng, native toNorth America, has been discovered to decrease post-meal blood sugar by 20% in both healthy and diabetic people. The research was carried out in people with type 2 diabetes taking 1 gram of American ginseng 40 minutes before breakfast, lunch, and supper for two months. This research found that their blood sugar reduced by 10% compared to placebo. American ginseng may boost body cells` response to and elevate your body’s secretion of insulin. And taking it sooner may make the blood dip too low.
Magnesium
Low blood magnesium levels have been identified in 25-38% of diabetic people. It is more common in those with abnormal blood sugar control. Research shows that giving magnesium supplements for 6-24 weeks to healthy, diabetic, or pre-diabetic people helped by lowering blood sugar levels compared to placebo. Furthermore, each 50-mg escalation in magnesium intake produced a 3% decrease in blood sugar in those with low blood magnesium levels before. Magnesium is responsible for normal insulin secretion and insulin action in the body’s tissues. Normally, doses offered to diabetic people are typically 250-350 mg daily. It would help if you took magnesium with a meal to improve absorption.
Chromium
Chromium inadequacy lowers your body’s ability to convert carbs into sugar for energy and elevates the insulin needs. In one study, chromium reduced A1C by 0.6% in people with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, there was an average decrease in blood sugar by about 21 mg/dl. Research explains that chromium may also lower blood sugar in individuals with type 1 diabetes. Chromium may also enhance the effects of insulin or anchor the activity of pancreatic cells that produce insulin. It is recommendable to take 200 mcg daily, but doses of up to 100 mcg daily have been tested in diabetic people and proven to be more effective.
Conclusion
Despite the dangers associated with diabetes, some supplements help to lower it. People should also ensure they obtain their herbs and supplements from a high-quality source. Multiple supplements, including ginseng, cinnamon, vitamin D, probiotics, and plant compounds like berberine, may help reduce blood sugar. However, they have side effects which should not be ignored. Some herbs can interact with medications that do the same function, such as high blood pressure medications. You should be aware of any interaction before beginning a new supplement. People should consult a professional doctor before taking a new herb. Notably, supplements and herbs should not replace medications.
Ksenia Sobchak enjoys blogging on fashion, style, lifestyle, love and CBD areas. Prior to becoming a blogger, Ksenia worked for a renowned fashion brand. Ksenia is a contributing author to leading fashion, lifestyle and CBD magazines and blogs. You can bump into Ksenia at her favourite cafe in South Kensington where she has written most blogs. Ksenia is a staunch advocate of CBD and its benefits to people. Ksenia is also on the panel of CBD reviewers at CBD Life Mag and Chill Hempire. Her favourite form of CBD are CBD gummies and CBD tinctures. Ksenia is a regular contributor at leading fashion, lifestyle as well as CBD magazines and blogs.
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