Diabetes and helpful herbs 

Diabetes mellitus which is defined as high glucose amount in blood, a condition affecting most ages and has 2 types, seeking treatment is crucial and a goal to all people affected by this disease. 

Researches occurred through years to reach the optimal management plan for patients including: lifestyle modification, oral treatment, insulin injections, etc.

In this article I tried to gather information regarding what alternative and complementary medicine can offer.

Decades earlier before the appearance of modern medicine humans monitored the effect of herbs on the human body and the reaction to them, nowadays we still have a lot of scientific research discussing the possibility of usage of herbs as a complementary addition to the conventional treatment or as a substitution to the medicine.

All these foods should not be used as a substitute for diabetic medication or without supervision under a health care provider, they may cause side effects if used randomly without discussing it with your doctor.

Many researches are still needed to approve the efficacy and potency on the human body and they are not FDA approved as a treatment for diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Let's discuss some important herbs with promising effects on blood glucose

1-aloe vera 

 

This plant with their green spiky leaves and its semi-liquid gel pulp showed beneficial impact in lowering fasting blood glucose in pre-diabetic and diabetic groups. also reduction of blood pressure and cholesterol was observed in multiple randomized controlled trials.

2-garlic 

Indians and Chinese used garlic in multiple methods due to its known anti-inflammatory properties.Multiple studies suggested that garlic extract daily consumption may have an impact on lowering blood glucose and cholesterol levels when taken daily, although you should first check your tolerance towards it.

3-coriander

Coriander seeds are used in a dried or ground form as a zest for multiple traditional foods around the world while the leaves are called cilantro and also used for its fresh, citrusy and slightly peppery taste, studies on mice showed that coriander extract enhanced the release of insulin and lowering blood glucose, it should be used with caution because it shows affective results specially when added with diabetic medications.   

4-papaya 

A healthy diet is crucial in diabetic patients and high sugary fruits should be avoided, although some fruits have low to medium GI(glycemic index) and can be consumed with moderation. Papaya is found to have antioxidant (flavonoids) which have hypoglycemic effects on the human body.

5-mango

Mango is also one of the most fibre rich fruits that contain antioxidants that have an impact on lowering blood glucose when added to the diet with moderate amounts.

6-karela(bitter melon)

Bitter melon is known for its unpleasant taste, although it contains many vitamins such as A,C and iron. It produces a substance called lectine which has an insulin-like action and may be beneficial in lowering blood glucose. May cause side effects if used without supervision.mclRBP-19 peptide showed decreased HBA1C level in diabetic group in comparison to control. A 300 mg supplement was taken twice daily(once before lunch and once before dinner).

In conclusion, a healthy diet and active lifestyle plays an important role in each individual's life. Regular blood tests aids in early detection of hidden diseases thus starting early treatment can make a huge impact on overall outcome.

This article is a simple guide to help people determine their optimal nutrition after discussing it with their health care provider.