Heal Thyself: Beating the Sugar Blues

"Across the nation, an estimated 20 million people; 7 percent of the US population have diabetes. As many as 40 million more teeter on the edge of the illness and are classified as pre-diabetic meaning they have insulin resistance and higher-than-normal blood sugar levels that indicate they're heading toward diabetes. But even for pre-diabetics, the disease isn't inevitable: Weight loss, a healthy diet, and consistent exercise can significantly cut the risk of developing diabetes."

"Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) Also called gurmar, or "sugar destroyer," the leaves of this woody climbing plant are traditionally used in ayurvedic medicine to treat high blood sugar. Several studies confirm long-term use of the herb holds promise in lowering blood glucose levels. In one 47-person trial conducted in India, blood glucose levels fell by nearly a third, on average, in type-2 diabetic patients given 400 mg of gymnema extract for a year and a half."

"Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) Researchers at the Department of Agriculture kicked off the current wave of interest in the use of cinnamon for diabetes when they found that a constituent in the spice improved cells? sensitivity to insulin. A 2003 follow-up study published in Diabetes Care asked 60 type-2 diabetics to take 1, 3, or 6 grams of cinnamon in capsules or a placebo each day for 40 days. The cinnamon group reported a drop in blood levels of glucos"

An estimated 20 million Americans, roughly 7 percent of the population, have diabetes, with up to 40 million more classified as pre-diabetic due to insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar. Lifestyle changes such as weight loss, a healthy diet, and consistent exercise can significantly lower the chance of progression to diabetes. Certain herbs and dietary supplements may help regulate blood glucose by increasing insulin production or slowing intestinal sugar absorption. Gymnema has traditional Ayurvedic use and clinical trials show long-term use can lower blood glucose; a 47-person trial reported nearly a one-third reduction with 400 mg extract over 18 months. Research on cinnamon identified a compound that improved cellular insulin sensitivity, and a 2003 study reported blood glucose reductions in type-2 diabetics taking cinnamon capsules.

Read at Alternative Medicine Magazine