According to the CDC’s National Diabetes Statistic Report, 34.2 million Americans have diabetes (10.5% of the US population), and 88 million Americans ages 18 and over have pre-diabetes (34.5% of the US population). That doesn’t include the 7.3 million people who are undiagnosed.
As diabetes continues to be an epidemic in the US and worldwide, more and more individuals are seeking out alternative and natural therapies, in addition to medications, to help control their blood sugar.
In this Living Proof blog, we’ll discuss five compounds found to have beneficial effects on blood sugar and diabetes:
Berberine is a remarkable natural compound found in a wide variety of plants, particularly the 400-500 species belonging to the genus Berberis.
While not as famous as other members of our list, this chemical - - long touted by practitioners of traditional Chinese and Indian medicine - - is a natural ally in the fight for lower blood sugar.
When taken daily at a healthy dosage (1,000-1,500 mg per day), this safe, herbal supplement can tangibly help lower your blood sugar at efficacy levels approaching traditional type 2 diabetes medications.
Research suggests Berberine achieves this by providing a number of crucial benefits to fight high blood sugar levels and diabetes, such as:
In fact, preliminary data from a number of studies show that this organic compound may lower long-term blood sugar levels by >10%, making it an ideal addition to your anti-diabetes regimen.
You may hear Nigella Sativa oil go by several names such as black cumin oil or black seed oil, but its tangible, pre-diabetes-fighting properties speak for themselves.
Extracted from the seeds of the eponymous Nigella Sativa plant, native to Eastern Europe and the Middle East, this powerful oil can significantly aid in reducing high blood sugar levels and diabetes.
According to studies detailed in a National Institute of Health (NIH) report, a healthy dosage (1.5-2 grams per day) of this supplement taken over a period of 1-3 months can help:
In conjunction with another, these beneficial effects can significantly fight hyperglycemia (high levels of blood sugar) and help mitigate some of diabetes’ harm to the body.
Of the adverse side effects of diabetes, some research shows Nigella Sativa oil to best mitigate neuropathy, cataracts and cardiovascular abnormalities, making it an undoubtedly valuable addition to your anti-diabetes arsenal.
Cinnamon is a well known and widely used spice, but did you know it can also help promote healthy blood sugar levels?
Studies profiled by the Journal of the Endocrine Society, Science Daily and the National Institute of Health (NIH) reveal that the legendary spice, acquired from the bark of trees of the genus Cinnamomum, may be beneficial as it is tasty.
When taken at a healthy dosage (500 mg per day), research shows cinnamon primarily provides essential benefits like:
These positive effects can be pivotal in helping regulate healthy blood sugar levels in non-diabetic, pre-diabetic and diabetic patients, making it a potentially valuable supplement for those of all backgrounds.
Further boosting the efficacy of cinnamon is its lack of demonstrable adverse side effects and its ubiquitous nature as a spice found in several foods.
In other words, you can have confidence knowing cinnamon is unlikely to negatively affect other aspects of your life, and it’s quite easy to add to your diet through supplements or meals - - sounds like a win-win to us.
Chromium is a trace mineral in two forms: trivalent chromium, which is essential and wildly beneficial to human health and hexavalent chromium, which is highly toxic. As you can imagine, we will be discussing the former:
According to research from Mount Sinai Health System, trivalent chromium resides in a number of supplements and an even greater number of foods, including whole-grain bread, lean meats, cheeses, apples, green beans, Brewer’s yeast, and some spices.
Chromium plays an essential role in the metabolism of protein, carbohydrates and fats and has been shown to have a positive effect on triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
In addition to those health benefits, research has also shown that this trace mineral has the ability to regulate blood sugar and aid in managing diabetes.
According to studies profiled in the National Institute of Health (NIH), Diabetes Self-Management and Mount Sinai Health System, chromium fights against hyperglycemia and diabetes by:
Last but not least, Gymnema Sylvestre is yet another super plant with the power to boost essential aspects of your health and wellness.
For many centuries, practitioners of the ancient Indian medical practice of Ayurveda used the leaves of this shrub for its healing medicinal powers. Now, with the capabilities of modern science and technology, we can truly see its effects on hyperglycemia in non-diabetics, diabetics and pre-diabetics:
According to studies profiled in-depth by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in 2014 and 2019,
Gymnema Sylvestre can help patients fight some of the causes and adverse side effects of diabetes effectively when taken at a healthy dosage (100 mg 3-4 times per day in capsule form; 2-4 grams daily in powder form).
This natural compound provides its fantastic benefits by:
** Before starting any new supplements, be sure to discuss any alternative therapies with your physician, as some may interact with the medications you may already be taking.
For any questions about nutrition, self-care or other healthy living protocols, feel free to contact us at any time.
