Guest Post: Natural Remedies to Control Type 2 Diabetes

Guest post provided by DrugWatch.com staff

As of 2012, no cure for type I or type II diabetes exists. The focal point for those suffering from the condition is to obtain the optimal level of diabetes health. In order to achieve this, one must look into the treatment options available. This includes discovering the natural remedies available. Since no herb or lifestyle changes have been completely successful at regulating blood glucose levels, many patients may still require the use of diabetes drugs.

Taking medications for diabetes, like Actos, is a very common treatment option for those living with diabetes. However, Actos is associated with dangerous side effects that may even be life-threatening. Actos has been known to cause congestive heart failure and worsen the condition in those who already have the disease. Other cardiovascular risks are also complications of this pharmaceutical. These include heart attack and stroke. Additionally, Actos and bladder cancer symptoms have been linked together in many cases.

Lose Weight

Weight loss is one of the main natural remedies for reaching better diabetes health. In fact, the American Diabetes Association declares that even losing a few pounds can impact sugar levels. Since having excess fat cells appears to increase insulin resistance, weight loss may increase insulin sensitivity.
Even after a person reaches a healthy weight, one should continue eating a healthy diet. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Whole grains are an important part of a diet for people with diabetes. This is because people with diabetes are more prone to cardiovascular issues, and whole grains positively affect cardiovascular health.

Regulating carbohydrates can benefit individuals who have diabetes, since carbs increase blood sugar levels. Carb counting and glycemic index diets — eating plans that utilize the glycemic index, which is a chart that notes how much a food influences blood sugar levels — are known to contribute positively to both weight loss and controlling diabetes. At least 14 grams of fiber should be part of a person with diabetes' diet, states the Mayo Clinic. This is because fiber helps to lower glucose levels.

Exercise

Diet may be important to diabetes health, but exercise is important, too. Exercise helps to burn carbohydrates, which are converted into glucose for the body to use as energy. By burning these carbs, exercise can assist with maintaining healthy blood glucose levels. Stress management contributes to better diabetes health, due to the fact that stress releases hormones that play a role in elevating sugar levels.

Consider Herbs

Lifestyle modifications are not the only types of natural remedies for managing diabetes health. In fact, herbal remedies are a growing trend in medicine. However, because certain herbs may react poorly when taken with other medications, herbs or supplements, one should always consult with a physician prior to starting an herb regimen. Additionally, a diabetes patient should never stop taking medications no matter which lifestyle modifications or other natural remedies he or she is taking, unless instructed to do so by a physician.

Gymnema has been known to aid a person into having better control over glucose levels. Other herbs that may lower blood sugar levels include fenugreek and garlic. Cinnamon may have the power to increase insulin sensitivity; however, neither the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor the National Institutes of Health have deemed it a safe or effective treatment.

Elizabeth Carrollton writes about defective medical devices and dangerous drugs for Drugwatch.com.

Coconut Oil...Miracle Oil

I've never though much -- or well -- about coconuts. I hate eating coconuts, hate coconut milk and coconut water. However, after reading about the many benefits of coconut oil, I had to try it on my skin. When Tropical Traditions offered the chance to try their 100 percent virgin coconut oil, I jumped at the opportunity.

Despite its name, coconut oil is actually solid when it's temperature is lower than about 75 degrees. When you run the jar of coconut oil under warm water, the oil liquifies. The first thing that I noticed when I opened the jar of coconut oil I received was the smell. I don't like how it smells. But remember, I'm not a fan of ingesting coconut oil in the first place. However, I had to follow the advice that I wrote in an article for a beauty company, and give the oil a shot.

The first thing I did was put some coconut oil into squeeze-type bottle. After liquefying the oil, I added several drops of lavender oil, which has several healing properties, to help with the smell. I also put some coconut oil aside for my husband to use, as Dr. Oz said that the lauric acid helps heal skin infections. (Background note: My husband has has a skin infection for a few years, and none of the medications he has tried has helped treat it.) My husband tells me that he doesn't notice any smell from the coconut oil (I guess it's just me).

The Verdict

I love coconut oil! My skin is dry, especially my hands, and the coconut oil makes it feel silky smooth and soft. There is no greasy residue or feel to the oil at all. Try it on your legs or as a massage oil! As for my husband, his skin infection cleared up after a few uses--it was that simple. (If you have a skin infection or irritation, consult with a physician or dermatologist about treatment options.) He also likes to use a few drops of the oil in his bath water, and mix it up with tea tree oil. (Consequently, my husband has to clean the tub after his bath, or it's too slippery and dangerous to stand in.)

If you're looking for something to quench your dry skin and/or hair, skip the special moisturizers and conditioners (which usually have coconut oil in them), and choose natural coconut oil instead. It has no added chemicals and might last you longer than those other boutique products.


You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on the Tropical Traditions website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil?

You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:

Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the advantages of buying coconut oil online. 

Read more about the health benefits of coconut oil.

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Baby Watermelon

Our plot in the community garden is flourishing. This year we planted watermelon.

Juicing

On Monday, I was welcomed to the world of juicing. After watching Foodmatters and Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, I decided that my eating habits needed a big change and that my diet needed a re-boot. The solution: juicing raw foods (e.g. fruits and veggies).

First, I needed a juicer, so I purchased the Breville BJE200XL 700-Watt Compact Juice Fountain.Yes, a juicer is spendy, my health is worth it. The juicer I purchased is one of the top-rated centrifuge juice extractors, and is one of the most affordable.  

My Breville

These are the ingredients that I put in my first-ever fruit and veggie juice (recipe to follow).

Yes, you do need this much.

All those ingredients filled up this huge stein. I drank it all up within 30 minutes. I thought the taste would be horrid, but it wasn't at all. Juice tastes best when it's fresh. Plus, it starts to smell like vitamins after it's sat around for a bit.

Big Green Juice

Later, for a nighttime snack, my husband made a fruit juice with ripe raspberries from our yard.

The strawberries just had to co-mingle.

Make your own Big Green Juice:

• 1 cucumber
• 1/2 lime, peeled
• 4 stalks of celery
• 3 or 4 handfuls of spinach
• 2 apples

Wash the ingredients, and peel the lime by simply cutting off the green peel with a knife. (The white part of the lime won't hurt you.) Slowly press the ingredients through the juicer, following the manufacturer's instructions. Drink right away.

The Big Green Juice is my own recipe, but you can find recipes online or in these books:

 

'Food Matters,' A Documentary About Healthy Living

I just watched the movie "Food Matters" on Netflix and highly recommend it if you are into/want to learn more about raw foods, organic foods, foods that are beneficial for the bod and eating healthy. The documentary also discusses how complementary medicines (of which I am a fan) can aid in healing. emoticon Complementary medicine is the practice of integrating natural/holistic remedies or practices with traditional medicine.

Read an overview of the movie from IMDB.

Visit the "Food Matters" website, where you can watch the first 40 minutes for free if you sign up for the newsletter. Check out the Resources page.


Foodmatters