Natural Help for Type 2 Diabetes

If you have Type 2 Diabetes, your treatment may include many elements: medications from your doctor, diet and exercise, and complementary therapies. Complementary therapies are natural methods, used alongside treatments recommended by your doctor, and it's these remedies we'll explore here.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes is where the body is either resistant to insulin, or has insufficient insulin, and so cannot process the glucose consumed effectively. It affects 20.9 million adults in the United States, with a further 79 million adults prediabetic.

Poor management of Type 2 Diabetes can lead to many complications, including: heart disease, kidney damage, blindness, and foot problems (including severe damage that necessitates amputation).

Type 2 Diabetes can be effectively managed with medication, diet, and complementary interventions. It cannot be cured. However, it is possible to put your condition into remission, to the point where your blood glucose levels are controlled and your doctor may feel it possible for you to stop taking your medication. You will always require monitoring for relapse.

Let's explore the complementary therapies for Type 2 Diabetes.

Acupuncture

Some patients with Type 2 Diabetes experience neuropathy. This is painful nerve damage, and the result of long-term high blood glucose levels. Acupuncture, inserting thin needles into pressure points of the body, has been found to relieve chronic pain, including this painful condition, in some people.

If you want to try acupuncture, be sure to find a qualified professional, as licensing is not a requirement and unlicensed acupuncturists carry risks. The following bodies all have set requirements: British Medical Acupuncture Society (a number of practitioners are available in other countries), the British Acupuncture Council (both UK), and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (USA) [see links].

Chromium

Chromium is an essential trace element (a type of mineral needed in small amounts for health). There's some evidence that chromium supplements improve insulin sensitivity in people with Type 2 Diabetes and prediabetes. There's also evidence that it helps tackle the side-effect of weight gain in patients who are prescribed sulphonylurea medication for Type 2 Diabetes (such as: Gliclazide, Glipizide, Chlorpropamide, and Tolazamide). No official recommendations to take chromium supplements exist, because evidence is not conclusive.

If you want to take chromium, the dosage that has previously been used for diabetes is 200-1000mcg daily (either as a single or divided dose), for up to six months.

Cinnamon

Get ready to raid your spice rack. Several studies have linked cinnamon with improved blood glucose management. One study fed participants between 1g and 6g of cinnamon a day (1g is about half-a-teaspoon), and noted a 24% reduction in blood glucose levels (and an 18% reduction in cholesterol)

Other studies did not find the same reaction. It's thought that the severity of the participants' diabetes and the dose used in the studies may partially contribute to the difference in results.

If you want to try cinnamon, however, it probably won't do you any harm to consume in medicinal quantities daily for up to four months. Unless you have liver damage. If you have liver problems, do not take cinnamon in these quantities. Even if it is safe for you, watch carefully for signs of hypoglycaemia.

Do not use cinnamon in medicinal quantities for at least two weeks before surgery.

More Natural Remedies for Type 2 Diabetes

Ginger

If you're a Type 2 Diabetic, head back to that spice rack, because ginger might be the perfect addition to your diet. A 2012 study in the journal Planta Medica found that ginger improves long-term blood glucose management in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

A further 2015 study gave participants 2g of ginger every day for twelve weeks. At the end, they found participants' fasting blood glucose levels and Haemoglobin A1c (which measures how much of your haemoglobin is covered in glucose) were both reduced to healthier numbers.

However, don't eat more than 4g of ginger a day. Not only could it thin your blood and lead to dangerous excessive bleeding, it could also interfere with any anti-diabetes medications you're taking by lowering your blood glucose levels too much. Keep an eye on your blood glucose levels, and see a doctor if you feel your medication might need adjustment.

Ginseng (American)

Several studies have shown 3g of American ginseng, less than 2 hours before a meal, has blood glucose lowering properties when used over a three-month period, both before and after food. If taken too long before a meal, hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels) may ensue. Although signs are positive, more studies are needed to confirm the benefit.

American ginseng may cause side effects, including insomnia, diarrhoea, headache and nervousness.

Holy Basil

Ocimum sanctum (Holy Basil), a plant native to India, is a herb used in traditional ayurverdic medicine. A controlled clinical study found it improved blood glucose levels, both before and after eating. It's believed it increases insulin secretions from the pancreas.

Holy Basil has not been tested for periods of longer than six weeks. It might prevent blood clotting. Do not use Holy Basil at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery.

Magnesium

It is known that a diet high in the mineral magnesium (green leafy vegetables and nuts) is linked to a lower risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. A review by Barbagallo and Dominguez (2015) found that many adults diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes were deficient in Magnesium. This is not surprising. Nearly 80% of Americans are Magnesium deficient.

Some evidence has been put forward that supplements with a high magnesium content increase insulin sensitivity and may be an effective treatment for Type 2 Diabetes, with a study by Rodríguez-Morán and Guerrero-Romero (2003) suggesting that oral magnesium supplements lead to a lowering of blood glucose levels both before and after food.

However, this evidence is not conclusive.

Before you try Natural Treatments

Natural therapies can help as part of your treatment for Type 2 Diabetes, but there are several things you need to consider before starting any new treatment:

• Will it interfere with a medication or treatment you're already taking? See your own doctor before you start any new plan. Natural does not always mean "safe"; something that's safe and effective for your sister might not suit you. Ask your doctor's advice.
• If you experience side-effects, stop immediately
• Never buy anything from the internet: recently a "natural" medication sold online was found to contain multiple pharmaceuticals.
• Avoid compounds of more than one herb.
• Only buy products that list the following: the common name (e.g. "Holy Basil"), the scientific name (e.g. "Ocimum sanctum"), the manufacturer (both name and address), a BN (batch number), a lot number, expiry date, other ingredients (including whether the product is gluten and lactose free), and potential side-effects.

Remember, although these complementary treatments could all have a role to play in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes, diet, exercise and the support of your doctor are important in the management of this disorder.

There is no wonder-cure for diabetes, but taking a few simple steps can improve your health going into the future.