Some natural supplements like chromium, cinnamon, berberine, alpha-lipoic acid, magnesium, and ginseng show weak evidence for helping blood sugar control, while bitter melon, fenugreek, flaxseed, and prickly pear might affect sugar/carb absorption, but research is inconsistent, and supplements can interact with meds. Vitamin D may benefit deficient individuals, and acetyl-L-carnitine could help nerve pain (neuropathy). Always consult your doctor, as supplements aren't a cure, can't replace medicine, and aren't regulated like drugs.
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Certain supplements like St. John's wort, vitamin E, and niacin can affect glucose levels and may interact with certain medications.
Ginger contains a natural compound called gingerol, known for its strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. These properties may help your body use glucose more effectively and support healthier blood sugar levels. In people with Type 2 diabetes, gingerol may also play a role in supporting insulin function.
Turmeric, mostly at doses of 500–1000 mg per day, might help reduce pain levels and inflammation. Cinnamon, on the other hand, has been shown to help reduce blood sugar levels.
The key to successful wound healing is regular podiatric medical care to ensure the following “gold standard” of care:
Possible Health Risks of Ginger in Your Diabetes Diet
It's important to speak with your physician or endocrinologist before you add ginger supplements to your diet, says Al Bochi. This is especially important if you're taking diabetes medication. “We know that ginger can affect your insulin levels,” she says.
According to its proponents, you use the pinch method by holding the thumb and index finger of one hand just above the wrist of the other hand and then exerting a little bit of pressure on the wrist. Doing this will supposedly cause the release of insulin and break down glucose.
Some people with type 2 diabetes might need thiamine or vitamin B12 supplements if they have a deficiency. Low levels of vitamin D and magnesium can be a concern for people with type 2 diabetes, and supplements may help if levels are low.
Diabetes-related neuropathy is nerve damage that affects people with diabetes. The most common type is peripheral neuropathy, which often affects your feet. There's no cure for diabetes-related neuropathy. But you can manage it with medication, therapies and tighter blood sugar management.
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Symptoms of hyperglycaemia
“The best way to reverse type 2 diabetes is to decrease your body's resistance to the actions of the insulin made by the pancreas,” she said. “For most people, this means trying to attain a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and minimizing sugars and excessive carbohydrates in your diet.”
Not only is magnesium critical for heart health, it's also a powerful way to improve glucose metabolism. One systematic review involving participants with a range of metabolic backgrounds found that supplementing with magnesium lowered fasting glucose levels and improved insulin sensitivity [20].
Other spices like cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, coriander, and cumin are also good at controlling blood sugar levels (3). Berberine – Research has shown that 500mg of Berberine taken 2-3 times daily was able to control blood sugar and lipid metabolism as effectively as metformin (4).
Golden Thread. Golden Thread is commonly used to treat diabetes in China. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloids and the active ingredient of Golden Thread. Berberine had a significant antihyperglycemic effect in both 36 patients newly diagnosed with T2DM and also in 48 poorly controlled patients with T2DM [23].
Testing your blood sugar is an essential part of managing your diabetes. Test your blood sugar first thing in the morning to get a baseline reading for the day. This can help you adjust your diabetes management plan as needed.
Drink more water. Drinking water and staying hydrated is important for managing blood sugar, also known as blood glucose. “Water helps your kidneys filter out excess sugar through urine,” says Khan. “So, the more hydrated you are, the more urine production you'll have, which flushes out sugar in the body.”
Common dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbals and botanicals, and probiotics. While evidence is limited, some studies suggest certain dietary supplements interact with diabetes medications. Supplements like niacin can raise your blood glucose (blood sugar), while ginseng and ginger can lower it.
Some reports have indicated cinnamon, saffron, and ginger to be effective in reducing TC, LDLc, and TG levels in subjects with type 2 diabetes by different mechanisms such as improved insulin sensitivity and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes [9, 16, 21].
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Diabetes Burnout refers to when someone is fed up with dealing with diabetes. They might have problems with their diabetes or problems in other areas of life that get in the way of diabetes care. In burnout the person usually neglects their diabetes care and feels they can't cope with it.
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