Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which blood-sugar (glucose)
levels are above normal--either the body doesn't produce enough of the
hormone insulin, which breaks down sugar in the blood, or it cannot
utilize its own insulin properly. Diabetes can cause serious health
complications including blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and
even limb loss. The good news is that if you are one of the 20.8 million
Americans struggling with diabetes (type 1 and type 2 combined) there
are natural approaches to help avoid these life-threatening conditions.
As
in almost all areas of health, exercise and proper diet can help
tremendously for diabetes. That does not mean a heavy exercise regimen
nor does it mean a radical weight loss. Moderate exercise and a weight
lose of only 5% or slightly more can make a substantial difference (and
that holds true for those considered significantly overweight as well as
those carrying a few pesky extra pounds. To achieve a 5% or more
weight loss may require no more than cutting out soft drinks and taking
regular walks for example. At any rate, losing 5% is easily achievable
with modest exercise and a sensible diet that includes plenty of
vegetables and fruit (though little or no fruit juice because of its
high sugar content), fermented whole grains, and getting rid of
dangerous trans fats.
In addition to sensible dieting and physical activities, the following have all shown the ability to help with diabetes:
Pycnogenol
- Pycnogenol is a powerful antioxidant derived from French maritime
pine tree bark and the subject of more than 180 studies over 35 years
which has been shown to reduce high blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and
blood glucose without affecting insulin levels. Of particular note is
its ability to reduce leakage into the retina by repairing capillaries
in the eyes. While still largely unknown to American doctors, Pycnogenol
is the leading prescription for diabetic retinopathy in France.
Bitter
Guord - Make a watery juice of a small Bitter Guord (remove seeds) and
drink every morning. Bitter Guord also helps to clear pimples and
maintain a good skin, and is good for de-worming the intestines.
Fenugreek
seed - Soak fenugreek seeds in about one teaspoon in water at night,
drink that water in the morning and chew and eat the soaked seeds.
Helps reduce blood sugar.
Green plaintain peels - Wash a green
plantain and peel it, then put the peel in a jar and cover with water.
Let sit overnight, and then drink this water three times a day. Lowers
your blood sugar level. Keep drinking as needed and change the peel
every other day and refill the jar with water.
Mullaca - Mullaca
is employed in herbal medicine systems today in both Peru and Brazil. In
Peruvian herbal medicine the plant is called mullaca or bolsa mullaca.
To treat diabetes, the roots of three mullaca plants are sliced and
macerated in 1/4 liter of rum for seven days. Honey is added, and 1/2
glass of this medicine is taken twice daily for 60 days. In addition, an
infusion of the leaves is recommended as a good diuretic, and an
infusion of the roots is used to treat hepatitis. For asthma and
malaria, the dosage is 1 cup of tea made from the aerial parts of the
plant. In Brazilian herbal medicine the plant is employed for chronic
rheumatism, for skin diseases and dermatitis, as a sedative and
diuretic, for fever and vomiting, and for many types of kidney, liver,
and gallbladder problems.
Agaricus Blazei Murrill (ABM) Mushroom -
referred to in it's native Brazil as "The Mushroom of the Gods" with
good reason due to it's amazing immune boosting and disease fighting
properties. Available in health food stores.
Alpha Lipoic Acid -
In Germany, alpha-lipoic acid is an approved medical treatment for
peripheral neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes. It speeds the
removal of glucose from the bloodstream, at least partly by enhancing
insulin function, and it reduces insulin resistance, an underpinning of
many cases of coronary heart disease and obesity. The therapeutic dose
for lipoic acid is 600 mg/day. In the United States, it is sold as a
dietary supplement, usually as 50 mg tablets. (The richest food source
of alpha-lipoic acid is red meat - but to insure proper health, use lean
cuts of organic beef that has not been subject to antibiotics or feed
lot practices)
Cat's Claw - Used by indigenous tribes in Peru and South America to treat diabetes. Available at health food stores.
"Oleander
Soup" - A carefully prepared aqueous extract of the oleander plant made
according to the directions in the book "Cancer's Natural Enemy".
Diabetics who have used this remedy report being able to either reduce
or eliminate medications altogether, often being able to control their
diabetes with diet alone. Note: Oleander is extremely poisonous in raw
form, but safe when boiled and strained according to the directions in
the book.
Other Good Foods and Supplements - Almonds, apples,
oranges, and substances high in omega three oils (olive oil, flaxseed
oil, fish oil, borage oil).
Live long, live healthy, live happy!
Required
disclaimer: The author is not a qualified medical professional and the
information in this article has not been evaluated by the FDA. Nothing
in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.
Anyone who has a medical condition should first see a qualified doctor,
preferably a qualified naturopathic doctor or one who has been trained
in integrative medicine.By
Tony Isaacs
