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Diabetes Treatment Alternatives

Diabetics in American culture have come to rely on treatment for their disease by use of medications and insulin shots. Diabetics who are not completely comfortable with the pain, side effects and schedule requirements of this therapy have begun looking for alternative treatments to diabetes. Science has proven there are available alternatives which can help reduce the need for medical insulin.

  1. Holistic Care

    • Plant food has been noted as a type of therapy with type 2 diabetes. These foods include brewer's yeast, buckwheat, broccoli, okra, peas, sage and fenugreek seed. These foods are rich in fiber which helps control blood glucose levels. Acupuncture is an Oriental practice where needles are inserted into designated points to release natural painkillers. Acupuncture is used to relieve chronic pain for people suffering neuropathy.

    Minerals

    • Chromium has been widely noted as a therapy to help diabetes control. Magnesium has been proven to help improve glucose control. Mineral deficiency has possible links to diabetes complications. Vanadium is a compound which is found in plants and animals. This compound has been shown to increase sensitivity to insulin which helps diabetics reduce their requirement of insulin.

    Herbs

    • Kino is a gum-resin resembling dried blood used in Indian medicine. The flavonoid from the bark of the Kino plant is known to help heal pancreatic beta cells, which help the pancreas process sugar. Bitter Melon or balsam pear is a fruit grown in Asia, Africa and South America. Compounds found in Bitter Melon including Charantin and Momordica have been shown to reduce blood sugar levels. Gymnema helps the pancreas produce insulin for type 2 diabetics. It is also known to help decrease blood sugar in type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Blueberry leaves have the compound myrtillin. When liquefied and injected, one dose is weaker than insulin, less toxic than insulin but can last for several weeks. Europeans use this as a treatment for diabetic eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy.

    Spices and Food

    • Onion and garlic are significant in lowering blood sugar. The active ingredient, allyl propyl disulphide and diallyl disulphide oxide help lower glucose levels resulting in natural insulin from the body. Fenugreek seeds have properties which help diabetics in the portion of the seed which has alkaloid trogonelline, nicotinic acid and coumarin. Cinnamon is known to triple the efficiency of insulin in the body. Asian Ginseng is a common Chinese medicine for diabetics. It enhances the release of insulin and helps lower blood sugar.

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