Do you know that over 100 million Americans live with diabetes in the Unites States? That is a staggering number. Sometimes it can be managed with diet and exercise alone, but there are many pharmaceutical drugs that doctors prescribe to help control it. As with all prescribed drugs, the side effects can be awful. Here are some natural tips for how you may be able to manage your blood sugar issues without prescriptions, or with fewer prescriptions.
Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to manage sugar levels in the blood. There are more than 3 million new cases of type 2 diabetes diagnosed every year in the US. Most of those cases are people aged 45 years or older, or who have a positive family history of diabetes or are severely overweight. Greatly reducing your carbohydrate intake and daily exercise have been shown to help reduce blood sugar. If this isn’t doing enough, give some of these natural supplements a try.
There are some dietary supplements that have been shown to be beneficial in managing Type 2 diabetes, including Omega 3’s. Omega 3’s are known to lower triglyceride levels which are a common challenge for Type 2 diabetics. The American Heart Association recommends that people get their omega 3’s from eating fish 2-3 times a week. But for those who dislike fish or anyone who wants to be a little healthier, there are dietary supplements that are rich in omega 3’s. We recommend Green Pasture Fermented Cod Liver Oil or Rosita Extra Virgin Cod Liver Oil. Every batch is different because nothing is ever added, but the Green Pasture Cod Liver Oil has been measured to be roughly 30% to 40% Omega 3’s. This means it has between 1500 and 2000 mg per teaspoon. Rosita measures the omegas in their Cod Liver Oil as well, and they usually end up between 1200 and 1500 per teaspoon. We like both these brands because they are raw cod liver oils and contain all their naturally occurring nutrients. Most fish oils are heat and/or chemically processed and many of the nutrients get damaged or destroyed. Then the manufacturers go and add synthetics to bump the levels back up to where they were before all the processes. Cod liver oils are much healthier when they are less processed. Rosita Cod Liver Oil should always be stored in the refrigerator once opened. The Green Pasture Cod Liver Oil should be stored in a cool, dark place, but you can put it in the refrigerator to lessen the fishy taste.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid, ALA, is a shorter chain omega 3 found naturally occurring in plants, specifically coconut oil. It has been found to reduce blood sugar levels and help Type 2 diabetics to use insulin more efficiently. Clinical trials that tested the effect of treatment with ALA showed reduced pain from diabetic neuropathy and less damage to nerves caused by blocked blood vessels and excess blood sugar. If diabetic neuropathy goes unchecked, it can lead to pain and tingling in feet and hands. We recommend Perfect Coconut Oil or Green Pasture Blue Breeze Coconut Oil because they are both cold pressed – again, less processing, and no heat or chemicals means more naturally occurring nutrients. They are both unrefined, and either virgin or extra-virgin coconut oils.
Ongoing studies have shown that three minerals, Zinc, Chromium and Magnesium, have been linked to blood sugar control. Chromium is needed to aid the body to effectively use glucose. Research suggests 50-200 mcg daily – too much Chromium may have adverse gastrointestinal effects, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Zinc is good to promote healthy insulin function. Zinc and Chromium are both trace minerals naturally occurring in oysters. We recommend you get these trace minerals from Oysterzinc by Organic3. Oysterzinc is a supplement made from oyster meat. It is naturally high in many trace minerals.
Magnesium is necessary for over 300 biochemical reactions in our bodies. It aids in bone, muscle and heart function and may help reduce insulin resistance. The recommended dose is between 300-400 mg daily. Although if you take a calcium supplement, you may need to take more. Read this article on the importance of magnesium supplementation. We suggest the supplement Wake Up Maggie which is a combination of three powerful kinds of magnesium along with boron for maximum absorption. It comes in both powder or capsule form for your convenience.
Research continues on using supplements to help control and reduce blood sugar. Always consult your physician before starting any dietary supplement regimen.
By Alice Farrelly
