{"id":54985,"date":"2022-11-08T09:30:28","date_gmt":"2022-11-08T14:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=54985"},"modified":"2024-11-12T18:50:36","modified_gmt":"2024-11-12T23:50:36","slug":"natural-remedies-for-diabetes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/natural-remedies-for-diabetes\/","title":{"rendered":"20 natural remedies for diabetes"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re among the <\/span>11% of Americans<\/span><\/a> living with diabetes, you probably know that <\/span>eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise<\/span><\/a> are important ways to keep the condition under control. While medication is always an option to balance your blood sugar, there are natural options as well, from lifestyle changes to herbal remedies. Here are 20 home remedies for diabetes you might want to try\u2014under your healthcare provider\u2019s supervision, of course.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>How to lower blood sugar naturally<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

20 natural remedies for diabetes<\/span><\/h2>\n

About 37 million Americans have diabetes, according to the <\/span>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span><\/a> (CDC). Among these, an estimated 90%-95% have Type 2 diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Type 2 diabetes is caused by <\/span>resistance<\/span><\/a> to a hormone called insulin, which is made by the pancreas, says <\/span>Minisha Sood, MD<\/span><\/a>, a board-certified endocrinologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.\u00a0 The primary function of insulin is to lower blood glucose levels and keep them in a normal range. But when the body becomes insensitive to insulin, levels rise, and the body over-produces the hormone to compensate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt some point, the body is no longer able to keep up with that increased demand for insulin, and insulin is no longer effective at controlling blood glucose levels, which then begins to rise,\u201d Dr. Sood explains. \u201cThat’s when we see the onset of Type 2 diabetes,\u201d says Dr. Sood. Here, we take a look at some natural, home remedies that may improve Type 2 diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Alpha-lipoic acid<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Aloe vera<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Apple cider vinegar<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Jamun<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Berberine<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Bitter melon<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Cinnamon<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  8. Chromium<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  9. Coffee<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  10. Coenzyme Q10<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  11. Fiber<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  12. Fenugreek<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  13. Garlic<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  14. Ginseng<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  15. Gymnema sylvestre<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  16. Magnesium<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  17. Nopal<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  18. Diet<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  19. Exercise<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  20. Stress reduction<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    1. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)<\/h3>\n

    One of the complications of diabetes is <\/span>neuropathy<\/span><\/a>, or nerve damage, caused by high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) and high triglycerides that interfere with blood flow. <\/span>Research<\/span><\/a> indicates that alpha-lipoic acid is effective for symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, which causes pain, tingling, and numbness of the legs, arms, feet, and hands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    It <\/span>may also help<\/span><\/a> to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. The best way to incorporate alpha-lipoic acid into your diabetes care is to work with your provider; because of its potential blood sugar-reducing effects, it should be used carefully by those taking medications to control their blood sugar.<\/span><\/p>\n

    RELATED: <\/b>Save on alpha-lipoic acid<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

    2. Aloe vera<\/h3>\n

    A <\/span>small 2015 study<\/span><\/a> found that patients with prediabetes who took aloe vera capsules twice a day for eight weeks experienced reduced fasting glucose and increased insulin sensitivity, indicating that the plant may be helpful for regulating blood glucose levels. And a <\/span>2016 meta-analysis<\/span><\/a> published in the<\/span> Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics<\/span><\/i> found that most people tolerated aloe vera well with minimal side effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    But according to the <\/span>National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health<\/span><\/a>, there\u2019s not enough data to determine whether aloe vera is an effective diabetes treatment\u2014more research is needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    RELATED: <\/b>Save on aloe vera capsules<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

    3. Apple cider vinegar<\/h3>\n

    Apple cider vinegar, which contains acetic acid, may be helpful in the regulation of blood sugar levels, says <\/span>Mahmud Kara, MD<\/span><\/a>, a primary care physician and founder of <\/span>KaraMD<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>a supplement company based in Ohio<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    One <\/span>small study<\/span><\/a> suggests that ACV helps to move glucose out of the bloodstream at a rate that is beneficial for lowering and stabilizing blood sugar levels, which in turn can help improve insulin sensitivity, Dr. Kara explains. Another <\/span>small study<\/span><\/a> among adults with Type 2 diabetes found that taking two tablespoons of ACV at bedtime reduced blood glucose levels the following morning. Additionally, a recent <\/span>systematic review and meta-analysis<\/span><\/a> of over 300 patients found that ACV has a beneficial effect on fasting glucose levels. While ACV is <\/span>generally safe<\/span><\/a> to consume, taking it along with drugs that lower your blood sugar may cause it to drop too low.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    RELATED: <\/b>Health benefits of apple cider vinegar<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

    4. Jamun<\/h3>\n

    Touted to be the miracle fruit for diabetes, jamun, or java plum, is a fruit that is widely available in India. <\/span>One study<\/span><\/a> found that among 50 diabetes patients who ingested 10 grams of jamun seed powder for 90 days experienced a 30% reduction in fasting blood glucose levels. A <\/span>2018 review<\/span><\/a> published in the <\/span>International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine<\/span><\/i> found that consuming jamun may be helpful in controlling blood sugar levels, but more research is needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \t\t