The Diabetes Society

When patients are diagnosed with diabetes they are advised to improve their diet, exercise and lose weight. These natural remedies for diabetes become the cornerstone of their treatment. Natural health products are key to fighting diabetes head on. In that same vein, patients may become more interested in natural ways to reduce blood sugar levels and may seek help from supplements. With so many supplements to choose from it may be difficult to find ones that will actually help the diabetic patient. Unfortunately much research is still needed before any of these substances can become widely used for diabetic patients. However, below is a list of promising natural substances that may help diabetic patients.

1. Alpha Lipoic Acid: Alpha lipoic acid is a very powerful antioxidant. This substance helps the body remove damaging particles and is thought to also play a role in sugar metabolism. Alpha lipoic acid may help diabetic patients by preventing damage to nerves and blood vessels from dangerous free radicals that are generated in higher amounts in diabetic patients. The research is so promising for alpha lipoic acid that it is actually an approved treatment for diabetic nerve damage in some European countries.

2. Bitter Melon: Bitter melon’s role in diabetic treatment can be traced back for centuries. This bitter tasting tropical fruit has numerous chemicals that have been found to play a role in sugar processing within the body. At this time, there is no firm recommendation for the use of this substance to treat diabetes. In addition, the optimal dose for improving hemoglobin a1c is not yet known. More research is needed to fully understand how bitter melon can help the type 2 diabetic patient.

3. Fenugreek Seeds: Like bitter melon, the use of fenugreek dates back many years. Laboratory studies have linked chemicals in fenugreek to insulin production and the breakdown of glucose. As with bitter melon, much research is still needed to understand how this substance could help a diabetic because it is not clear what dose is needed to reduce sugars. In addition, the potential side effects and toxicity remain unknown.

For those that are interested in taking a natural supplement to help improve blood sugar, these are among the most promising supplements available. Unfortunately, more research must be done to determine how to dose these supplements to achieve the best result without causing side effects. It is best to discuss any new supplement with your doctor before your begin taking it. In the future, it is possible that one of these natural supplements could be recommended by your doctor for the treatment of your diabetes!

Learn more about how natural supplements such as bitter melon can maintain your normal blood sugar levels. Or check out our other information or our popular hemoglobin a1c calculator at knowyoursugar.com!

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