How To Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Naturally

Todays post is about how to reverse type 2 diabetes naturally. According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 37 million Americans suffer from diabetes, and over 7 million of them are unaware that they have the disease. Hence, you, a close friend, or a family member may be undiagnosed or among the 96 million Americans who have prediabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels are elevated but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes.

In the United States, diabetes ranks as the eighth most common cause of death. Furthermore, diabetes can cause major health issues like heart disease, kidney failure, stroke, blindness, and foot issues if left untreated. Diabetes costs a lot of money. Medical costs for diabetics are 2.3 times higher than those for non-diabetics.

The American Diabetes Association observes American Diabetes Month in November each year. The American Diabetes Association works to raise awareness of diabetes risk among our communities, connect people to resources, and promote education for the millions of Americans who are at risk for the disease. In an effort to raise awareness of the condition, the organization also invites people who have diabetes to share their experiences.

How to Treat Diabetes Naturally Without Drugs

Is diabetes curable? Unfortunately, there is still no long-term treatment for diabetes that science has found. Changes in lifestyle, however, can help you put type 2 diabetes into remission and bring your blood sugar levels back within normal limits. Additionally, there are cutting-edge minimally invasive techniques that can help you better manage your diabetes without taking medicine.

Can Diabetes Be Cured Without Medicine?

The long-term effects of having a chronic illness, the need for medication, and the health complications of diabetes are major concerns for many people with type 2 diabetes. The good news is that blood glucose levels can be brought back to normal with the help of diet changes, weight loss, and an active lifestyle. You can stop taking diabetes medication and safeguard your future health when your blood sugar levels are within normal limits. However, this is referred to as diabetes remission rather than curing diabetes.

Why don’t we refer to this as curing diabetes since the glucose levels are normal and the metabolism is healthy? The issue is that there is proof that type 2 diabetes can recur. For this reason, doctors refer to it as diabetes remission rather than a cure. 

The good news is that maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and exercising frequently can all help lower your chance of relapsing. It all comes down to leading a healthy lifestyle and continuing to do the things you did to initially put your diabetes under control.

What Is Remission In Diabetes?

If, without taking diabetes medication, your blood sugar levels are below the range for diabetes, you have diabetes in remission.  

Based on your HbA1c levels, which are a measure of your long-term blood glucose levels, international diabetes experts have developed a more accurate definition of diabetes remission.  “When your HbA1c stays below 48 mmol/mol, or 6.5%, for at least six months, you are in remission.”

Reversing Type 2 Diabetes: What is it?

Diabetes remission is sometimes referred to as “reversing type 2 diabetes.” Although the terms “diabetes remission,” “reversing type 2 diabetes,” and “curing diabetes without medication” can be confusing, they all mean the same thing: your blood tests indicate that your HbA1c stays below 48 mmol/mol, or 6.5%. Your blood glucose levels are biochemically identical to those of a person without diabetes.

Treatment Of Type 2 Diabetes Without Medication

Without taking medicine, you can put your diabetes into remission and return your blood sugar levels to normal. Taking action as soon as you are diagnosed makes it easier to achieve diabetes remission. You can maintain normal blood sugar levels by altering your lifestyle. Type 2 diabetes can be managed without medicine by concentrating on:

• Eating a healthy, balanced diet
• Losing weight to achieve a BMI in the healthy range
• Living an active life
• Regularly monitoring your blood glucose levels

Weight Loss And Type 2 Diabetes Remission:

According to U.S statistics, around nine in ten adults with type 2 diabetes are indeed considered overweight or obese; meaning that roughly 90% of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes fall into the overweight or obese category. 

Key points to remember:

• High correlation: There is a strong link between obesity and type 2 diabetes, with a majority of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes being classified as overweight or obese. 

• Public health concern: This statistic highlights the significant public health concern related to obesity and its impact on diabetes prevalence. 

• Prevention potential: Maintaining a healthy weight is considered a key factor in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Why Excess Weight Around Your Midsection Can Be A Problem

For people with diabetes, carrying excess weight around the middle, or “central obesity,” can be a serious concern because this kind of fat accumulation around organs like the liver and pancreas can directly contribute to insulin resistance, a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. This means that even if a person seems to be a healthy weight overall, having a large waist circumference can still increase their risk of developing complications from diabetes. 

Key Points About Belly Fat And Diabetes:

(1). Insulin resistance: Fat stored around the middle is more likely to cause insulin resistance, where the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels. 

(2). Visceral fat: This type of fat, located deep within the abdomen around organs, is particularly problematic for diabetes risk.

(3). Increased risk: People with a large waist circumference are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even if their overall body mass index (BMI) is within a healthy range. 

(4). Management benefits: Losing even a small amount of weight from the waist area can significantly improve blood sugar control for people with diabetes. 

The good news is, if you’re obese, losing a large amount of weight- around 15 kg- and sustaining that loss can restore your blood sugar to normal levels, reduce your risk of developing diabetes complications and improve your life expectancy.

Talk To Your Doctor About Your Diabetes Concerns

Speaking with your doctor or diabetes team is crucial if you wish to reduce weight in order to achieve diabetes remission. You might need to take less medication as you make dietary changes in order to avoid hypos. If you are under 18, have a history of eating disorders, are pregnant or nursing, or are already at a healthy weight, it is not advisable to lose a lot of weight quickly.

Type 2 Diabetes Diet

Research shows that people with type 2 diabetes have put their diabetes into remission by losing weight and following healthier eating regimens which includes eating more and/or limiting the following:

• Vegetables: Eat more non-starchy vegetables, like broccoli, spinach, and green beans. Fill half of your plate with non-starchy vegetables at lunch and dinner. 
• Whole grains: Eat whole grains like whole wheat, brown rice, barley, quinoa, and oats. 
• Protein: Eat lean proteins like chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, lentils, and tofu. Fill a quarter of your plate with lean protein. 
• Healthy fats: Eat healthy fats like nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils (like olive, canola, sunflower, soy, and corn). 
• Fruits: Eat fruits. 
• Dairy: Eat dairy or plant-based dairy products. 
• Fiber: Eat foods high in fiber. 
• Vitamins and calcium: Eat foods high in vitamins and calcium. 
• Limit added sugars and refined grains: Eat fewer added sugars and refined grains, like white bread, rice, and pasta. 
• Limit saturated fat: Eat less foods high in saturated fat. 
• Limit sugary foods and drinks: Eat less sugary foods, like cookies and cakes, and sweet drinks, like soda, juice, flavored coffee, and sports drinks. 
• Consume regular meals: Throughout the day, consume regular meals. 
• Minimize serving sizes: Cut back on the portion sizes of your snacks and meals. 

Some Diets That May Be Good For People With Diabetes Include: 

(1). The Mediterranean diet: This diet is rich in oleic acid, a fatty acid that may help lower fasting glucose levels. Diabetes sufferers can benefit from the Mediterranean diet which:

• Enhances blood glucose regulation.
• For those with type 2 diabetes, the Mediterranean diet can help lower blood sugar levels.
• Promotes a diet high in fresh foods and low in processed foods, which can aid in weight loss.
• Lowers the chance of complications from diabetes.
• Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are the foundation of the Mediterranean diet. Moderate amounts of wine, lean protein, and dairy are also included. Red meat and processed foods are restricted in the diet. It’s critical to customize the diet to encourage long-term adherence. Finding the most effective plan can be facilitated by collaborating with a diabetes care team, which includes a registered dietitian nutritionist. Learn more.

(2). The DASH diet: This diet emphasizes healthy foods and discourages red meat, added salt, sugar, or saturated fat. 

(3). Vegetarian or vegan diets: These diets can be healthy, but you should consult with a registered dietician to ensure you meet your nutritional needs.

(4). Low-carb diets: Atkins and other low-carb diets encourage your body to burn fat for energy rather than glucose. They forbid starchy vegetables, sugary fruit, bread, pasta, grains, and sugar. Meat, fish, eggs, lots of leafy greens and salads, dairy products, and healthy fats and oils should be the mainstays of your diet instead.

The diet is rigorous for the first two weeks and can be difficult. As you burn off stored water and glycogen, weight loss can happen quickly. However, you might get “carb flu” and feel weak, lethargic, and ill. After this phase, your blood glucose levels should be much more stable, you should have more energy and fewer hunger pangs. Low-carb diets have been linked in studies to a 32% increase in diabetes remission.

(5). Intermittent Fasting Diet: An intermittent fasting diet can help people with type 2 diabetes in several ways, including: 

• Weight loss: Intermittent fasting can help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight. For example, one study found that participants who ate only during an eight-hour window each day lost more weight than those who reduced their calorie intake by 25%.

• Improved insulin sensitivity: Intermittent fasting can improve insulin sensitivity, which can help with blood sugar levels. 

• Reduced blood pressure: Fasting can help lower blood pressure. 
• Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes: Fasting can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. 

• Intermittent fasting, also known as time-restricted eating: This involves restricting the time of day when food can be eaten. Some examples of intermittent fasting include the 5:2 diet, where people fast for two non-consecutive days per week. 

However, intermittent fasting can also produce side effects, such as: 

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Syncope (fainting)
• Falls
• Migraine headaches
• Weakness that limits daily activities
• Excessive hunger pangs

People with diabetes who take medications that lower blood sugar should adjust their dosages when fasting. Fasting can cause hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, if you’re taking these medications. You should talk to your healthcare provider before fasting or starting any other type of diet. Learn more.

Bottom Line

Diabetes And Intermittent Fasting: The key is appropriate meal timing. The potential benefits of intermittent fasting (IF) for diabetics include improved blood glucose levels and the possibility of diabetes reversal or “remission.” It’s important to weigh these advantages against the potential risks of adhering to this diet while taking diabetes medicine. Learn more.

(6). Keto diet: People often use low-carb diet and a Keto diet  interchangeably. The keto diet is considered a very strict form of a low-carb diet; the key difference is that a keto diet is much more restrictive with carbohydrate intake and significantly higher in fat compared to a standard low-carb diet, aiming to put the body into a state called ketosis where it burns fat for energy instead of glucose from carbohydrates. Learn more.

Key points to remember:

• Carb intake: A low-carb diet typically has you eating 50–150 grams of carbs per day, but on the keto diet, daily carb intake is restricted to fewer than 50 grams.

• Fat intake: Keto diets are very high in fat, making up a large portion of daily calories, while low-carb diets may not focus as heavily on fat intake. 

• Protein intake: While both diets might include moderate protein, keto often requires stricter protein management to avoid hindering ketosis. 

In A Nutshell

A keto diet is a very low-carb diet that induces ketosis, while a low-carb diet reduces carbs but not enough to maintain ketosis. Keto typically results in faster weight loss and more significant metabolic changes.

(7). Meal replacement diets: Very low-calorie diets using meal-replacement shakes and soups.

Importance Of Weight Loss

Even if you don’t put your diabetes into remission, weight loss can make a real difference to your health. Most doctors would agree that even losing even 5% of your weight helps improve HbA1c, blood pressure levels and cholesterol. This can have a significant impact on your overall health and how you feel.

Other Factors For Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes does not always occur in people who are overweight. Your risk of developing diabetes is influenced by your age, ethnicity, and family history. Since you cannot alter your genetic heritage or background, it makes sense to concentrate on the things you can do to change things.

Exercise For Type 2 Diabetes

Exercise can help your body use insulin more efficiently, support weight loss, and increase your level of fitness. Your body is more sensitive to the insulin you produce when you exercise. Engaging in regular exercise can help you manage your diabetes and put it into remission. Other aspects of your health that regular exercise can help you with:

• Heart health: Exercise can lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. 
• Well-being: Exercise can improve sleep, memory, and mood. 
• Other health benefits: Exercise can also help reduce chronic pain and stress, and may even reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and some cancers. 

What Are Some Of The Best Exercises For People With Diabetes?

Some types of exercise that can be beneficial for people with diabetes include:

• Aerobic exercise: Brisk walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling are all examples of aerobic exercise. 
• Resistance training: Body weight exercises, free weights, and gym machines are all examples of resistance training. 
• Jumping rope: This high-energy exercise can help control blood sugar, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and build muscle and endurance.
• Pilates: Pilates is a low-impact exercise that can complement other diabetes management strategies, as well as to help keep your blood sugar more stabilized.

Monitoring Your Blood Glucose

One of the most important aspects of managing your diabetes is careful glucose monitoring. It can show you how your activity, food, and beverages impact your blood sugar levels. You can lower your risk of developing complications from diabetes, maintain your health, and improve your blood glucose levels if you can identify patterns. 

People with diabetes should check their blood sugar before, during, and after exercise to monitor how their body is responding. They should also be aware that exercise can cause blood sugar levels to drop, so they should adjust their carbohydrate intake or medication as needed. 

Your diabetes team should set a target HbA1c for you and help you reach it. Your diabetes is in remission if your HbA1c stays below 48 mmol/mol, or 6.5%, for six months without taking any medication.

Can Supplements Help With My Type 2 Diabetes?

Those with type 2 diabetes may benefit from certain supplements in terms of blood glucose control. Research on the effectiveness of supplements in treating the condition, however, is frequently conflicting.

Here are 11 supplements that may help lower blood sugar.

1. Cinnamon

Whole cinnamon powder or an extract are used to make cinnamon supplements. Numerous studies indicate that it enhances diabetes management and lowers blood sugar. But, if possible you should opt for using Ceylon cinnamon. The majority of research indicates that Ceylon cinnamon is superior to Cassia cinnamon in terms of lowering blood sugar levels because it has a much lower coumarin content, a substance that can be dangerous in high concentrations. This makes a Ceylon cinnamon supplement a safer choice for daily consumption, even though both varieties can lower blood sugar.

How it operates

Your body’s cells may react to insulin more effectively if you use cinnamon. Consequently, this lowers blood sugar by allowing sugar to enter your cells.

Precautions

More coumarin, which can damage your liver in excess, is present in the common Cassia variety of cinnamon.

2. Ginseng from America

American ginseng, which is mainly grown in North America, has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels after meals by roughly 20% in both healthy people and people with type 2 diabetes.

How it operates

American ginseng may boost your body’s secretion of insulin and enhance your cells’ reaction to it.

Precautions

Ginseng can decrease the effectiveness of warfarin, a blood thinner, so avoid this combination. It may also stimulate your immune system, which could interfere with immunosuppressant drugs.

3. The use of probiotics

Taking antibiotics, for example, can damage your gut flora, which increases your risk of developing diabetes and other illnesses. Probiotics can significantly lower A1c levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes, according to multiple meta-analyses: According to a meta-analysis taking probiotics decreased A1c levels by 0.81% on average. Probiotics significantly reduced A1c readings, according to a meta-analysis and systematic review published in the Journal of Translational Medicine. Probiotic supplements, which include good bacteria or other microorganisms, have many health advantages and may help your body better process carbohydrates. Learn more.

How it operates

According to research on animals, probiotics may lower blood sugar by lowering inflammation and halting the death of insulin-producing pancreatic cells. There could be a number of additional mechanisms at play.

Precautions

Although probiotics are unlikely to be harmful, in rare cases, they may cause infections in individuals whose immune systems are severely compromised.

4. Aloe Vera 

Those who are attempting to reduce their blood sugar levels may also benefit from aloe vera. For those with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, supplements or juice prepared from the leaves of this cactus-like plant may help reduce fasting blood sugar and A1C.

How it operates

Although it hasn’t been verified, aloe may increase the production of insulin in pancreatic cells, according to mouse studies. Numerous additional mechanisms could be at play. A review of nine studies found that taking aloe supplements or aloe vera juice for 4–14 weeks reduced fasting blood sugar by 46.6 mg/dl and A1C by 1.05% in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Precautions

Before using aloe, consult your doctor as it may interact with other medications. Digoxin, a heart medication, should never be taken with it.

5. Berberine

Berberine is a bitter substance extracted from the roots and stems of some plants, such as goldenseal and phellodendron, rather than a particular herb. In comparison to diet and lifestyle modifications alone or with a placebo, berberine supplementation decreased fasting blood sugar by 15.5 mg/dl and A1C by 0.71%, according to a review of 27 studies conducted in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Is Berberine As Effective As Metformin For People With Type 2 Diabetes?

Yes, berberine can be as effective as metformin in reducing A1C levels:

Other Studies: In multiple studies, berberine and metformin have been shown to have similar effects on lowering A1C levels:

(1). Study A: In a 3-month trial, berberine and metformin were equally effective at lowering A1C levels in adults with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.
(2). Study B: In a 3-month trial, berberine lowered A1C levels in adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

In one study, berberine reduced A1C levels from 9.5% to 7.5% in adults with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.
In another study, berberine reduced A1C levels from 8.1% to 7.3% in adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.
A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of 37 studies concluded that berberine is safe to use and can lower A1C levels.

What Is A1C Anyway?

A1C levels: A1C is a blood sugar level average over two to three months, and it’s used to diagnose diabetes.

Other effects: Berberine can also lower triglycerides, insulin, and cholesterol.

Berberine vs. Metformin

For more than 400 years, berberine, an alkaloid compound, has been utilized in traditional medicine. Although taking 1.5 grams of berberine daily for up to six months is generally regarded as safe, you should speak with your doctor before beginning any new supplement regimen, particularly if you are currently taking other medications or supplements. Additionally, you should speak with your doctor or pharmacist before switching from metformin to berberine.

How it operates

Berberine may help lower blood sugar by increasing insulin sensitivity and facilitating the uptake of sugar from the blood into your muscles.

Precautions

Digestion issues like gas, diarrhea, or constipation can be brought on by berberine. Before taking this supplement, consult your doctor because berberine may interact with a number of medications.

Five Particular Ways Berberine Can Help You Maintain Blood Sugar Stability

Since ancient times, berberine has been valued for its therapeutic qualities. Now, this powerful herb helps your body naturally balance blood sugar levels by:

Reducing Insulin Resistance To Increase The Effectiveness Of The Hormone “Insulin,” Which Lowers Blood Sugar.

The “metabolic master switch” might be triggered by berberine: Because of its beneficial effects on metabolism, AMPK (adenosine monophosphate kinase), an energy-stabilizing enzyme present inside cells, is referred to as a “metabolic master switch.” This is thought to contribute to cellular improvements in insulin sensitivity. Learn more.

Reducing The Liver’s Production Of Sugar

Berberine slows down the production of sugar: Studies have shown that berberine may inhibit gluconeogenesis, the process by which glucose is produced, and may promote glycolysis, the metabolic pathway by which sugar is broken down and transformed into energy. These actions actually help to balance blood sugar levels and reduce insulin sensitivity.

Reducing The Rate At Which Carbohydrates Are Broken Down

Berberine helps the liver: By lowering the liver’s synthesis of glucose, plant compounds are believed to help increase insulin sensitivity in the liver. Berberine is also believed to increase thermogenesis. When liver cells become insulin resistant, these actions aid in reducing the liver’s propensity to produce new glucose.

Increasing The Gut’s Population Of Good Bacteria.

According to a number of studies, berberine may alter the gut microbiota by decreasing microbial diversity and favoring bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This, in turn, prevents the breakdown of dietary polysaccharides and lowers intestinal calorie intake, potentially improving intestinal health and energy metabolism as well as having anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating effects.

Eliminating The Deep Body Fat That Builds Up Around The Organ And Abdomen.

Blood sugar levels and weight loss are closely related. There is little, but encouraging, research on berberine’s ability to burn fat and aid in weight loss. In one 12-week study, taking 3,500 mg daily caused participants to lose roughly 2.3% of their body weight, or 5 pounds, and reduce their body fat percentage and BMI by 3.6%. Another three-month study found that obese people’s waist circumference and BMI decreased from 31.5 to 27.4. Learn more.

6. Vitamin D

A lack of vitamin D is regarded as a possible risk factor for Diabetes Type 2. In one study, 72% of type 2 diabetic participants had a vitamin D deficiency at the beginning of the study. Both fasting blood sugar and A1C improved after two months of taking a daily supplement of 4,500 IU.

How it operates

Vitamin D may boost your body’s sensitivity to insulin and enhance the activity of the pancreatic cells that produce it.

Precautions

Consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice as vitamin D may cause mild to moderate reactions with a variety of medications.

7. Gymnema Sylvestre

Gymnema In India’s Ayurvedic tradition, sylvestre is a herb used to treat diabetes. Research: In one study, GS supplementation reduced HbA1c in two groups from 11.1% to 9.9% and from 10.1% to 9.3%, respectively. According to a meta-analysis, dramatically lowered type 2 diabetes patients’ HbA1c. Mechanism: By improving insulin sensitivity and production, GS may reduce blood sugar levels. Higher insulin levels can help lower blood sugar because insulin aids in the removal of sugar from the blood. Additional advantages: GS may enhance anthropometric measurements and lower cholesterol levels. Gymnema sylvestre is a plant used in folk, homeopathic, and Ayurvedic medicine. Another name for it is gurmar, which means “sugar destroyer” in Hindu. Before taking GS, you should speak with your doctor if you’re taking any blood-sugar-lowering drugs. Learn more.

How it operates

Gymnema Sylvestre may lessen the absorption of sugar in your stomach and encourage the absorption of sugar from your blood by your cells.

Precautions

If you receive insulin injections, use this herb only under a doctor’s supervision as it may intensify the blood sugar effects of the medication.

8. Magnesium

Those with type 2 diabetes who don’t have their blood sugar under control are more likely to have low blood levels of magnesium. Supplementing with magnesium can help diabetics lower their blood sugar levels: Magnesium supplements can lower blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity in diabetics, according to several studies. Magnesium levels in people with diabetes, particularly those with poorly controlled blood sugar, frequently have magnesium deficiencies. Insulin resistance and poor metabolic control can result from magnesium deficiency. Dosage Research indicates that individuals with diabetes may benefit from taking 250–350 mg of magnesium per day. For better absorption,Learn more.

How it operates

The proper secretion and action of insulin in the tissues of your body depend on magnesium.

Precautions

Steer clear of magnesium oxide as it may raise your risk of diarrhea. Before taking any magnesium supplements, consult your doctor or pharmacist because they may interact with certain medications, including antibiotics and some diuretics.

9. Lipoic Acid Alpha

Your liver produces alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a vitamin-like substance and potent antioxidant that can be found in red meat, spinach, and broccoli, among other foods. A1C and fasting blood sugar levels may be lowered by taking ALA in addition to prescription diabetes medication.

How it operates

Although these benefits might not be felt for several months, ALA may increase insulin sensitivity and the uptake of sugar from your blood by your cells. Additionally, it might guard against oxidative damage brought on by elevated blood sugar.

Warnings: ALA may conflict with treatments for hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. If you suffer from an alcohol use disorder or have a vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency, stay away from extremely high doses of ALA.

10. Chromium

A lack of chromium decreases your body’s capacity to use carbohydrates, which are transformed into sugar, as fuel increases your insulin requirements. Important details regarding A1c and chromium: Possible benefit: Supplementing with chromium has been shown in some studies to slightly lower A1c levels, especially when used in conjunction with other diabetes management techniques. Results are inconsistent: Not all research has shown that chromium significantly affects A1c levels; some have found no difference when compared to a placebo. Mechanism of action: It is believed that chromium strengthens the effects of insulin, which may aid in better blood sugar regulation. Speak with a medical expert: It’s important to talk to your doctor before taking chromium supplements to manage your diabetes in order to find out the right dosage and whether they might be suitable for your particular circumstances.

How it operates

Chromium may support the activity of the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin or improve the effects of insulin.

Precautions

Antacids and other medications prescribed for heartburn can decrease the absorption of chromium.

11. Turmeric

Research has also suggested that turmeric could help treat or prevent diabetes. Turmeric’s active component, curcumin, is credited for many of the spice’s purported benefits. A 2021 review of studies suggests that curcumin can decrease blood sugar levels and reduce diabetes-related complications. The researchers also note that curcumin may have a role in diabetes prevention. More clinical trials with humans are needed to better understand the effects of curcumin and turmeric. Turmeric extract could help stabilize blood sugar levels and make diabetes more manageable. It may also provide general health benefits, such as aiding digestion. This extract can be found in over-the-counter supplements. Learn more.

How it operates

Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, can potentially help lower a diabetic person’s A1c level by reducing insulin resistance, suppressing inflammation, acting as an antioxidant, and potentially improving pancreatic beta cell function. It does this by activating PPAR-gamma receptors. Curcumin can enhance the body’s response to insulin, allowing more glucose to be taken up by cells. thereby helping the body better regulate blood sugar levels through various mechanisms including increased glucose uptake and decreased hepatic glucose production.

Precautions

Taking too much curcumin can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels, or hypoglycemia, by increasing the effects of other blood sugar medications.

Here are some other potential side effects of taking too much curcumin:

• Liver damage: Doses of 250-1,800 mg per day can cause serious liver damage, which can lead to symptoms like jaundice, abdominal pain, nausea, and dark urine. 
• Kidney stones: Large doses of turmeric supplements can increase urinary oxalate levels, which can increase the risk of kidney stones. 

The Bottom Line

Numerous supplements may help lower blood sugar, including probiotics, vitamin D, magnesium, cinnamon, ginseng, other herbs, and plant compounds like berberine.  Keep in mind that depending on variables like duration, supplement quality, and your unique diabetes status, you might get different results than what research has shown.

Talk to your doctor about supplements, particularly if you’re on insulin or medication for diabetes, as some of the aforementioned supplements may interact with medications and increase the risk of dangerously low blood sugar.

Your doctor may occasionally need to lower the dosage of your diabetes medication.  To track any changes over several months, try just one new supplement at a time and monitor your blood sugar frequently. By doing this, you and your physician will be able to assess the impact.

CONCLUSION

While controlling your diabetes traditionally involves medications, This post is on how to treat the condition without medication. These generally include lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise. This can only happen if you follow a strict diet and lose weight, exercise, and your condition has only developed recently. For people of normal weight who develop type 2 diabetes, this may be harder to do.