Alternative Diabetes Medications & Supplements

More than 16 million Americans are suffering from diabetes, a blood-based illness that has become widespread that it is now called an epidemic. 95 percent of these sufferers have type II diabetes, considered as the 7th leading cause of death in America. Diabetes has been known as the "silent killer" due to its complications. As an illness, it is connected to the sugar in the blood. If you have diabetes, you have a condition called hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar.

Common Causes

• Some of the factors that cause diabetes are genetics or family history, foods, infections, lack of exercise, obesity, pregnancy, certain drugs and syndromes, and any illness that weakens the pancreas.

  Naturally, as a diabetic, you will want to lower your sugar levels by taking medications and supplements or undergoing blood-sugar-reducing procedures and treatments.

Natural Supplements and Medicinal Herbs

• Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). This is an anti-oxidant that has been found to lower blood sugar levels by helping the body to effectively use insulin.

  Minerals. These minerals have been found to be effective in helping reduce blood sugar levels: magnesium, chromium and vanadium.

  Polyphenols. These are anti-oxidants found in green tea and chocolate. Studies show that polyphenols have beneficial effects on insulin and sugar level control.

  Gymnema and Coccinia Indica. These are two medicinal herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine that have been found to have sugar-lowering properties.

  Bitter Melon. The juice of raw or ripe bitter melon has been proven to have blood glucose reducing properties.

  Blueberry leaves. This berry is well known for its usefulness in lowering blood sugar.

  Garlic and Onion. These two herbs, cooked or raw, can lower blood sugar levels.

  Chinese Ginseng. This is an energy-enhancing herb that lowers blood sugar.

  Mai Men Dong. This is an herb that has demonstrated properties to reverse diabetes by regenerating cells in the pancreas. Other Chinese herbs exhibiting characteristics that lower sugar count are tian hua fe, astralagus and wild yan.

  Indian Kino. The gum resin extracted from this plant can regenerate pancreatic cells.

  Mamordica or Ampalaya. This is a Philippine medicinal plant that has demonstrated properties to lower sugar in the blood.

  If you intend to use any of these supplements and herbs, and you are on medication, it is wise to consult with your medical practitioner so that your body's reaction to the supplements may be monitored.