{"id":205111,"date":"2018-06-06T13:50:06","date_gmt":"2018-06-06T13:50:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/5f17670acf5743285.temporary.link\/rohsi.org\/?p=205111"},"modified":"2018-06-06T13:50:06","modified_gmt":"2018-06-06T13:50:06","slug":"natural-remedies-for-type-2-diabetes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rohsi.org\/?p=205111","title":{"rendered":"NATURAL REMEDIES FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES"},"content":{"rendered":"

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reviewed by\u00a0Sabrina Felson, MD<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

From supplements to guided meditation, your\u00a0diabetes treatment<\/a>\u00a0could include traditional\u00a0medicines<\/a>, alternative therapies, and natural remedies, too.<\/p>\n

The National Center for\u00a0Complementary and Alternative Medicine<\/a>, part of the National Institutes of Health, defines complementary and alternative medicine as a “group of diverse medical and\u00a0health care<\/a>\u00a0systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.” Complementary medicine is used\u00a0with\u00a0<\/em>conventional treatments, whereas alternative medicine is used\u00a0instead of<\/em>\u00a0conventional medicine.<\/p>\n

Although some may be effective, others aren’t or can even be harmful. If you want to try\u00a0complementary or alternative medicine, talk to your doctor\u00a0about the pros and cons and what may be a good idea for you.<\/p>\n

Alternative Treatments<\/strong><\/p>\n

Acupuncture<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is a procedure where a practitioner inserts very thin needles into specific points on your\u00a0skin<\/a>. Some scientists say that acupuncture triggers the release of the body’s natural painkillers. Acupuncture has been shown to offer relief from\u00a0chronic pain<\/a>\u00a0and is sometimes used by people with neuropathy, the painful\u00a0nerve damage<\/a>\u00a0that can happen with diabetes.<\/p>\n

Biofeedback<\/strong>\u00a0is a technique that helps you become more aware of — and learn to deal with — your body’s response to pain. This therapy emphasizes relaxation and stress-reduction techniques.<\/p>\n

Guided imagery<\/strong>\u00a0is a relaxation technique that some professionals who use biofeedback also practice. With guided imagery, you’ll think\u00a0of peaceful mental images, such as ocean waves, or perhaps images of controlling or curing your disease. People using this technique say these positive images can ease their condition.<\/p>\n

Natural Dietary Supplements<\/strong><\/p>\n

The benefit of taking\u00a0\u00a0chromium has been studied and debated for several years. You need the mineral to make glucose tolerance factor, which helps\u00a0insulin<\/a>\u00a0work better. Several studies suggest that chromium\u00a0supplements may improve diabetes control, but we don’t have enough\u00a0information to recommend it to treat diabetes yet.<\/p>\n

Several types of plants are referred to as\u00a0ginseng<\/strong>, but most studies have used American ginseng. They’ve shown some sugar-lowering effects in\u00a0fasting<\/a>\u00a0and after-meal\u00a0blood sugar levels<\/a>, as well as in A1c results (average\u00a0blood sugar levels<\/a>\u00a0over a 3-month period). But we need larger and more long-term studies. Researchers also found that the amount of sugar-lowering compound in ginseng plants varies widely.<\/p>\n

Although the relationship between\u00a0magnesium and diabetes has been studied for decades, we still don’t fully understand it. Low magnesium may worsen blood sugar control in\u00a0type 2 diabetes<\/a>. Scientists say that it interrupts\u00a0insulin<\/a>\u00a0secretion in the\u00a0pancreas<\/a>\u00a0and builds\u00a0insulin resistance in the body’s tissues. And evidence suggests that a magnesium deficiency may contribute to some\u00a0diabetes complications<\/a>. People who get more magnesium in their diet (by eating whole grains, nuts, and green leafy vegetables) have\u00a0a lower risk of\u00a0type 2 diabetes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Vanadium<\/strong>\u00a0is a compound found in tiny amounts in plants and animals. Early studies showed that vanadium normalized blood sugar levels in animals with type 1 and\u00a0type 2 diabetes<\/a>. When people with diabetes were given vanadium, they had a modest increase in\u00a0insulin<\/a>\u00a0sensitivity and were able to lower their need for insulin. Researchers want to understand how vanadium works in the body, find potential side effects and set safe dosages.<\/p>\n

Coenzyme Q10<\/strong>, often referred to as\u00a0CoQ10<\/a>\u00a0(other names include ubiquinone and ubiquinol), is a vitamin-like substance that’s in meats and seafood. CoQ10 helps cells make energy and acts as an\u00a0antioxidant<\/a>. But it hasn’t been shown to affect blood sugar control.<\/p>\n

Plant Foods<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most plant foods are rich in fiber,\u00a0vitamins<\/a>, and minerals. People with type 2 diabetes may focus on:<\/p>\n