Diabetes

Diabetes is characterized by elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels.

High blood sugar is called hyperglycemia and happens when the body has too little insulin or can't use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels by enabling glucose to enter the cells and produce energy. If the body is not producing enough insulin or if the cells are not responding adequately to the insulin present, diabetes may develop.

High blood sugar is a serious problem and can cause many complications. It can harm organs and systems such as the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, nerves, and eyes. Controlling high blood sugar levels can prevent further serious problems.

Symptoms usually start slowly and include:

  • Excessive thirst and hunger
  • Frequent urination
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Recurrent infections, such as thrush, bladder infections, and skin infections

There are three main types of diabetes:

  • Type 1: is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks and damages insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, requiring insulin injections or a pump for management. This is the type of diabetes that commonly starts in childhood.
  • Type 2: is linked to being overweight and inactive. The body's cells resist insulin. Diet changes, exercise, and medication can help manage it. This type of diabetes is also called adult-onset diabetes.
  • Gestational: happens during pregnancy in some women due to hormonal changes causing insulin resistance. It usually goes away after childbirth, though having gestational diabetes can signify a higher risk of diabetes later in life.

Lifestyle choices directly impact the severity of diabetes symptoms. Following your physician's recommendations and making sensible choices with diet and exercise go a long way to keeping you healthy and feeling great. The lifestyle management of diabetes involves:

  • Blood Sugar Monitoring: Monitoring blood sugar levels throughout the day to ensure they stay within a healthy range.
  • Healthy Eating: Eat a healthy diet with controlled carbohydrate consumption.
  • Physical Activity: Exercise regularly to reduce blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity.
  • Lifestyle Changes: Maintain a healthy weight, don't smoke, manage stress, and get enough sleep.

Home Remedies and Natural Cures for Diabetes

Working closely with your physician is important to keep your blood sugar levels within a target range and reduce the risk of complications. While diabetes is a condition that requires professional medical management, there are some lifestyle changes and practices to consider as part of a diabetes care plan.

Here are some home remedies and practices to consider:

Diet

Diet is the primary control you can use to help manage diabetes besides medication. Healthy food balance is critical. Being conscious of your diet and making healthy food choices is one of the best things you can do to help with diabetes. Your physician or nutritionist can give specific recommendations to help with your situation.

  • Avoid all forms of refined sugars and limit processed foods, refined flour, and high glycemic foods that contain simple carbohydrates.
  • Eat snacks that contain protein to keep hunger at bay or foods with a lower glycemic index rating to stop blood sugar levels from spiking. Consume a diet of whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of vegetables and fruits. Soybeans and soy-based products are an excellent addition to the diet for people with diabetes because of their nutritional content and potential health benefits. They are high in protein, low in sugar and fat, and a source of complex carbohydrates, which means they help satiate you and digest slowly.
  • Keep the quantity of food you eat in mind, as portion size impacts the levels of insulin required.
  • Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water and prioritizing high-fiber foods. High-fiber foods like whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits help to keep you full and help to regulate blood sugar levels.
  • Limit alcohol as it's converted to sugar in the body. If you drink alcohol, do only infrequently and in moderation to avoid blood sugar fluctuation.
  • If you have a sweet tooth, avoid sugary snacks and choose fresh fruit, berries, or a low-sugar option.

Exercise

Another way to help manage blood sugar levels is exercise. Gentle exercise like walking, swimming, or cycling is good for you and will help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce high blood sugar levels. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and strength training exercises weekly.

Regular exercise can help you lose weight (excess weight is a significant contributing factor for diabetes and diabetes-related problems), help stabilize your blood sugar levels, raise your metabolism, reduce your diabetes symptoms, and reduce the risk of developing long-term complications.

Weight Management

With healthier food choices and increased exercise, getting to or staying at a healthy weight is a more manageable goal. Reducing your weight results in improved insulin sensitivity, not to mention making you feel better overall.

Bitter Melon

A widely used natural cure for diabetes is Momordica charantia. Bitter Melon is also called ampalaya, bitter gourd, or charantea. Bitter Melon is taken as a tea or a capsule and helps manage blood sugar levels. It contains flavonoids and alkaloids, stimulating the pancreas to secrete more insulin. Bitter Melon is also a good source of vitamins A, B, and C, iron, folate, phosphorus, and calcium.

Zinc

Zinc helps in insulin production, storage, and secretion. Diabetes can lead to impaired wound healing. Zinc is an essential mineral in wound healing and acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage from oxidative stress. Consider a supplement if you're not getting enough through natural food sources alone (chicken, buckwheat, almonds, walnuts, egg yolks, beef liver, sardines, and ginger root, for example).

Vitamin D

Web MD reported that low levels of Vitamin D correlate to poor diabetes control. Though it has not been proven that low levels of Vitamin D are linked to glucose intolerance, the study indicates that the lower the Vitamin D levels, the poorer the disease control. If your levels are low, Vitamin D supplements may be helpful.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a popular spice of interest in diabetes management. Studies suggest that compounds in cinnamon could positively affect blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity, and other aspects of diabetes. However, more research is needed to confirm its potential benefits on blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity. But it tastes great and can be enjoyed easily as a tea. Add a cinnamon stick to tea daily to improve your overall metabolism and help stabilize blood sugar levels.

Fenugreek

This unique spice used in Indian cooking is a home remedy for diabetes by reducing high blood sugar levels and cholesterol in patients. Fenugreek seeds can be very bitter, so take them in capsule form if you don't care for the taste. Put about 10 fenugreek seeds in a cup of water and let it soak overnight. Heat the water and the seed in the microwave and drink as a tea to help manage blood sugar levels.

Lemon Balm

A study on Pubmed suggests that lemon balm may be helpful to people with diabetes. Studies show lemon balm improves liver metabolism and blood sugar regulation. Lemon balm is an herb in the mint family and is often used to treat anxiety and stress. Lemon balm is available as an essential oil, herbal tea, and in tincture form.

Cautions

It's important to note that these home remedies are not substitutes for medical treatment, but they can complement your treatment under the guidance of your healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor before making changes to your diabetes management routine.