But other studies showed no significant effect. For example, in another small study , 35 people with Type 2 diabetes were given cinnamon for 60 days. They showed no reduction in blood glucose compared with the control group.

RELATED: Save on cinnamon capsules. The essential mineral chromium may help people with diabetes lower their blood sugar levels. A study found that individuals who supplemented with chromium were at a decreased risk of developing diabetes due to improved HbA1c values.

According to the CDC , values below 5. Another study investigating chromium paired with biotin showed that individuals taking the combination had improved fasting glucose and HbA1c levels compared with the group taking a placebo. RELATED: Normal A1C levels. But for people who already have diabetes, the results of coffee on blood sugar are variable it may raise or lower it.

RELATED: What you should know about coffee and diabetes. According to a literature review , CoQ10 reduced fasting blood glucose. In a recent meta-analysis of 40 randomized controlled trials, CoQ10 was found to enhance glycemic control in diabetes patients.

To achieve these effects, taking mg per day is suggested, although no official recommendations exist. According to the CDC , only half of adults in the United States get the recommended daily allowance of fiber.

But fiber is helpful in the prevention and management of diabetes. RELATED: Save on fiber supplements. Supplementing with fenugreek seeds may help individuals with diabetes lower their blood sugar by decreasing the absorption of carbohydrates and increasing insulin production.

A randomized control study published in the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders found evidence that fenugreek can delay the onset of diabetes in individuals with prediabetes by lowering blood glucose.

Garlic is known to improve high blood pressure and lower cholesterol, and it may help lower blood sugar in diabetic patients. One small study showed that garlic was as effective as the diabetes drug metformin in reducing fasting blood sugar and HbA1c levels.

A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials was also promising, indicating that garlic may reduce blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol, but more research is needed to support these findings. The herb American ginseng panax quinquefolius is an adaptogen that contains ginsenosides, chemicals that appear to affect insulin levels and lower blood sugar.

A research review suggests that American ginseng extract is effective and safe in the management of Type 2 diabetes. While evidence suggests the herb helps to decrease blood glucose, larger scale clinical trials are necessary to evaluate its long-term effects.

RELATED: Save on ginseng capsules. Gymnema sylvestre is an herb that has been shown to lower blood sugar levels in animal studies, possibly by stimulating insulin secretion.

But does it work? A systematic review published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture suggests that the herb has hypoglycemic properties, but further research is needed to establish this effect.

Magnesium is important for glucose metabolism, and supplementing with the mineral may help the body process insulin more effectively. Research suggests that the magnesium can help reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. And a systematic review found evidence that magnesium supplementation helps reduce insulin resistance, helping people with diabetes better manage their blood sugar.

RELATED: Save on magnesium supplements. Preliminary evidence shows that nopal, or prickly pear cactus, may decrease blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. Although some research has been conducted into its benefits of nopal, studies are inconclusive.

But nopal is high in fiber, which can help keep blood sugar under control. Maintaining a healthy weight is a proven way to keep diabetes symptoms in control.

Sood says. Rather, a nutritional approach that balances the macronutrients carbohydrates, protein, and fats is ideal. Minimize your intake of processed foods and refined sugars, and balance healthy carbohydrates like whole grains with lean proteins and moderate amounts of healthy fats at meals.

Many of the foods and drinks listed above are rich in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties that are not only good for blood sugar control but also your general well-being. According to the American Diabetes Association , logging minutes of physical activity each week can help to manage diabetes.

Sood says that multiple types of movement will lower blood glucose levels. Incorporate regular cardiovascular exercise with strength training into your movement routine. Consistently managing stress over time is a wonderful way to lower certain hormones that raise blood sugar, such as cortisol, growth hormones, and adrenaline, says Dr.

When it comes to the best strategy for stress reduction, a person can choose whatever modality they feel serves them best. Some research-backed stress-reduction techniques for diabetes include alternative therapies such as acupuncture , aromatherapy , guided imagery , and biofeedback. For example, some people believe that lemon water reduces blood sugar, but Dr.

Sood says there is no evidence of this. Practitioners have used this herb for centuries for different illnesses. These include headaches, severe tiredness fatigue , diabetes, and fever.

Some studies have shown that it can reduce blood sugar. But it can also have the same negative effects as drinking too much coffee. It can cause anxiety, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and sleeplessness. Also, the concentration of the active ingredients changes according to the time of year when the root is harvested.

Some cultures have been using a variety of plants to lower blood sugar for hundreds of years because the plants contain chemicals that can reduce blood sugar. For this reason, diabetes researchers are currently studying botanicals, such as fenugreek and milk thistle, a flowering herb from the Mediterranean.

Some researchers are also looking at bitter melon, a vine grown in many Asian gardens. At least one class of powerful antidiabetic medicines, the SGLT-2 inhibitors, was originally identified in the bark of apple trees. Be careful when using any herb or supplement.

It can affect the way diabetes medicines and other medicines work. Tell all your healthcare providers about any herbal supplements you are already taking. Some, such as bitter melon and fenugreek, are not advised for kids. Over time, high blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage that can affect your eyes, leading to blindness.

Nerve damage can also cause pain in your feet, hands, and other parts of your body. Some people turn to acupuncture for the pain that comes with diabetes. Acupuncture is a traditional medicine practiced for thousands of years in China. It involves inserting tiny needles in different areas of the body.

This releases chemicals in your brain that can lessen sensitivity to pain. One small research trial and pilot study suggests that the therapy is promising for treating certain kinds of diabetes-related nerve pain peripheral neuropathy. Experts agree that more research is needed.

Exercise is a natural treatment that does work for diabetes. Just about any exercise is helpful, but particularly aerobic exercises. These include walking, bicycling, and dancing.

Watch your blood sugar level. Your blood sugar may fall too low when you exercise. Get the right gear and shoes for the exercise you choose.

You may want to buy running shoes if you run and cross-trainers for other sports. Remember to layer your clothes so that you can remove outer layers if you get too hot.

Bring water with you. Sip water so you don't get dehydrated. Take along something to eat. If your blood sugar falls a lot, you may need a quick snack. Watch for injuries, and stop if you feel pain. If you get an injury, it may take longer for you to recover than it would someone without diabetes.

Check your shoes and feet every day. Use a mirror to check the soles of your feet and between your toes. Discuss any injuries you have and what type of exercise is best for you. Be sure not to strain if you have advanced forms of retinopathy.

This means it is needed in small amounts in your daily diet. It is sold as chromium picolinate, chromium chloride, or chromium nicotinate. It seems to be safe when taken in low doses and for short periods.

Some studies show chromium may be safe in doses of 1, micrograms a day for up to 6 years. But doses over that amount could harm the kidneys.

Because chromium seems to help glucose metabolism, research is looking at the right amount to help manage diabetes. Cinnamon has been shown to decrease glucose uptake from the GI gastrointestinal tract. It works a lot like a certain class of antidiabetic medicines the alpha-glucosidase inhibitors.

These are antioxidants found in green tea, olive oil, and dark chocolate, among many other foods. Scientists are trying to see if polyphenols can lower blood sugar and cholesterol. Some lab studies had good results.

But other studies done on people had mixed results. Practitioners have used this herb for centuries for different illnesses. These include headaches, severe tiredness fatigue , diabetes, and fever. Some studies have shown that it can reduce blood sugar. But it can also have the same negative effects as drinking too much coffee.

It can cause anxiety, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and sleeplessness. Also, the concentration of the active ingredients changes according to the time of year when the root is harvested.

Some cultures have been using a variety of plants to lower blood sugar for hundreds of years because the plants contain chemicals that can reduce blood sugar. For this reason, diabetes researchers are currently studying botanicals, such as fenugreek and milk thistle, a flowering herb from the Mediterranean.

Some researchers are also looking at bitter melon, a vine grown in many Asian gardens. At least one class of powerful antidiabetic medicines, the SGLT-2 inhibitors, was originally identified in the bark of apple trees.

Be careful when using any herb or supplement. It can affect the way diabetes medicines and other medicines work. Tell all your healthcare providers about any herbal supplements you are already taking. Some, such as bitter melon and fenugreek, are not advised for kids.

Over time, high blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage that can affect your eyes, leading to blindness. and these numbers increase with age.

Therefore, active research is being conducted in various parts of the world on treating diabetes, but there is a need for more research to reach any conclusion. However, based on the currently available data, the following remedies might be helpful for diabetes.

Please make a note that diabetes is a serious condition and must be diagnosed and treated only by a medical doctor. Stress might be the reason behind your rising blood sugar levels. Learning ways to manage stress might be of help in such conditions. Deep breathing, walking, meditation, working out, pursuing a hobby, gardening, and listening to your favourite music might be helpful to destress.

Approaching a mental health counsellor and asking for help might also be a good first step towards coping with stress better. Therefore, you should discuss this with your doctor and reach a proper conclusion regarding methods of stress management. It is important to consult a doctor or nutritionist and decide on a suitable diet plan for your health needs.

Your doctor might recommend that you eat foods that are rich in fibre, like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables etc. They might recommend to drink water instead of juices and soda.

These carefully devised dietary changes, prescribed by your doctor, might prove to be helpful for diabetes. Your doctor might recommend that you stay active most of the days and exercise regularly to stay fit and active. This might be helpful to lose weight if you are overweight, maintain a healthy weight, and control blood sugar levels as well.

You can start exercising by taking frequent and short walks during the day. Then, you can slightly ramp up your exercise routine by trying out various other forms of exercise like yoga, stretch bands, etc.

However, you should consult a professional before deciding on and adapting to a new exercise routine. An animal study on rabbits found that dried onion powder might have a potential blood sugar-lowering activity anti-hyperglycaemic.

Another study on rats showed that a bioactive compound present in onion might have a blood glucose-lowering effect. In yet another study conducted on patients with diabetes, the blood sugar reducing the potential of onion juice was noted.

However, more research is required to prove the effects of diabetes home remedies Ayurveda might have to offer. Kindly consult an Ayurvedic physician before using any herbal supplement or remedy.

Bel, also known as Bengal quince or Bilva, is scientifically referred to as Aegle marmelos. It was seen in studies that the leaves of the bel tree might have the potential to lower the sugar, urea, and cholesterol of the blood.

It might also help to stop the sudden rise of blood sugar that usually occurs after taking food. However, more studies are required to prove the effects of such a natural cure for diabetes. Please do not use it without consulting a doctor. Animal studies have shown that neem might help lower blood sugar.

It might help increase glucose uptake by cells and deposition of glycogen complex sugar-containing glucose in rats. However, more human studies are required on the possible use of neem for diabetes.

You should consult a doctor. Its scientific name is Acacia arabica. It is found commonly all over India in the wild. It might have an anti-diabetic effect by potentially helping the release of insulin hormone and lowering blood glucose levels.

In animal studies, the seeds of babul were found to have the potential to decrease blood glucose levels by affecting the cells of the pancreas, which might help in insulin production.

However, more studies are required to prove such claims; therefore, you should consult a doctor. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes, in which the body does not make insulin, and type 2 diabetes, in which the body produces insulin but is unable to use it effectively," says Dr.

Anurag Saxena, HOD- Internal Medicine, Primus super speciality Hospital. Here are some natural home remedies to help regulate your blood sugar levels as suggested by Dr Saxena:. Neem's astringent leaves are an effective treatment for diabetes because they contain a wealth of flavonoids, triterpenoids, antiviral substances, and glycosides that may help control blood sugar levels.

Neem powder is created by blending some desiccated neem leaves in a blender until they are completely smooth. For best results, you can take this powder twice every day. Charatin and momordicin, two very important substances found in bitter gourd, have the ability to reduce blood sugar levels.

Every morning, consume bitter gourd liquid on an empty stomach. To enjoy its benefits, you can also add one dish made with bitter gourd to your diet each day. Jamun is renowned for its hypoglycaemic qualities, which can lower blood sugar levels. Add a teaspoon of powdered jamun seed in a tumbler of water.

Drink it frequently on an empty stomach after thoroughly stirring. Regular ginger consumption lowers blood sugar levels and balances insulin. Put a cup of water and an inch of ginger in a saucepan and come to a boil. After 5 minutes of simmering, separate.

Drink this once or twice each day. Fenugreek can help manage diabetes, increase glucose tolerance, reduce blood sugar levels, and stimulate the release of glucose-dependent insulin. It works well to manage both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds should be soaked in water over night, and you should consume the water and seeds every morning on an empty stomach.

If we cut down on carbohydrate and replace it with good quality plant-based protein like Bengal gram, green gram, black gram, mushroom, paneer, chana dal, moong dal etc, it will help to lower the glycaemic index and glycaemic load of the foods.

Eating lot of fruits and vegetables and eating plenty of green leafy and other non-starchy vegetables are also important," says Dr Mohan. Exercise plays an important role in glucose control. I would recommend the acronym FAR for people with diabetes. F stands for flexibility, A stands for aerobics and R stands for resistance training.

To meet your fiber needs, you can supplement your diet with non-food sources such psyllium , a soluble fiber supplement.

Research has not shown a difference between supplements such as these and whole-food sources of fiber such as fruits, vegetables, grains, or oatmeal. Without proper medical treatment and regular blood sugar testing, diabetes may progress and lead to serious and possibly fatal complications, such as:.

Herbal treatments and nutritional supplements are often lauded for their power to regulate blood sugar. In fact, there's little evidence of their effectiveness.

However, in most cases, adding some of these natural remedies to your diet and using them alongside prescribed medication and treatments will do no harm and may offer some benefit.

Some of the natural diabetes treatments, especially fiber, fit well into a healthy diet, which is essential to controlling your diabetes.

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Clin Nutr. Suksomboon N, Poolsup N, Punthanitisarn S. Effect of Aloe vera on glycaemic control in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

J Clin Pharm Ther. Gunasekaran V, Srinivasan S, Rani SS. Potential antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Gymnema sylvestre related to diabetes. Pompano LM, Boy E. Effects of dose and duration of zinc interventions on risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. By Cathy Wong Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health.

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Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Aloe Vera. Effects of Ginseng on Blood Sugar. What Is Chromium Picolinate? Cinnamon for Diabetes Treatment. It has gymnemic acids which neutralize the taste buds on the tongue towards sweet things. This helps the person to control sugar cravings.

The herb also helps in the utilisation of excess glucose in the blood. This herb has a two-pronged effect on high blood sugar. It increases the activity in the pancreas to make more insulin and reduces blood sugar levels by inhibiting cravings for sweets.

The glucose in the cells gets mobilised due to specific components present in oregano. Apart from boosting immune health, it reduces carbohydrate formation in the body.

The fleshy plant forms an essential part of alternative medicine in India, Mexico, Australia and South America. It reduces inflammation in the body and treats indigestion. Inflammation in the body is responsible for many chronic lifestyle diseases like diabetes.

Read more about the benefits of aloe vera for skin and hair. Ginger is used extensively in Chinese and Indian cuisines.

The aromatic herb has been used to combat diabetes. It increases the sensitivity of the body to insulin and helps in increasing insulin secretion.

Those who are suffering from diabetes can safely consume jamun as it is low in calories. Additionally, the polyphenolic ingredients present in jamun play a significant role in the treatment of diabetes. Fenugreek seeds and the herb have been used to treat skin and digestive issues.

This herb also fights metabolic disorders. Fenugreek helps in lowering blood glucose levels and combats diabetes. While herbs may help control some symptoms of diabetes, it is important to remember that they cannot cure a person. That is why it is recommended that you consult with your doctor before you decide to try using anything.

Your doctor would be able to advise you correctly and as per your medical history which is integral while considering alternative treatment alongside your regular medication. It is also important to ensure that you refrain from using inferior quality herbs as they can be detrimental to your cause.

Herbs are helpful and beneficial but should only be used to complement your existing medication. Read More: 10 Home Remedies for Diabetes. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication.

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