How to Prevent and Treat Diabetes with Natural Medicine - Method4 Using Herbs and Supplements

1 Ask your doctor before adding herbs. Many herbs have not been tested for safety during pregnancy, so if you are pregnant or dealing with gestational diabetes, make certain you speak to your physician before adding any herbs or supplements. Also, even though these herbs and supplements are natural, they CAN interact with various medications.

·         You can also ask your pharmacist about drug-herb/supplement interactions.

2 Buy quality herbs and supplements. Make sure you buy national brands of herbs and supplements and that the companies follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). For herbs, make certain that the suppliers use pesticide and herbicide free organically and sustainably grown herbs.

3 Try bitter melon. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is often recommended for diabetes control. However, bitter melon has been associated with miscarriages and induced abortions in animals, so it should be avoided if you are pregnant or want to get pregnant. Bitter melon has been shown to improve blood glucose levels, increase the secretion of insulin and decrease insulin resistance.

4 Consider Gurmar. Gurmar, also known as Gymnema sylvestre has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine and has been shown to improve the control of blood sugar. Gymnema is generally taken in doses of 200 mg twice a day. Gymnema appears to be safe in pregnancy, but speak to your physician before using.

5 Look into prickly-pear cactus. Prickly-pear cactus or nopal has been shown to improve blood sugar control. Prickly-pear cactus has not been tested in pregnancy, but has been used for centuries as food, suggesting but not proving that it is safe.

6 Add cinnamon. Cinnamon has been used to help control blood sugar levels and is considered safe for pregnant women in the amounts used in foods. This corresponds to approximately 1 gm (1000 mg) every day. 500 mg of cinnamon taken twice a day has been shown to improve A1c levels (and the levels of blood fats). A1c is used to determine average glucose levels for the previous 3 months. Lowered A1c levels reflect improved diabetic control.

7 Take vanadium and chromium. Vanadium and chromium are trace minerals and have been shown to be essential for control of blood sugar levels in diabetes. They may also function as antioxidants. Keep in mind that these minerals are only needed in small amounts.

·         Vanadium should be taken as vanadyl sulfate at 50-100 mcg per day.

·         Chromium should be taken as chromium picolinate at a dose of 400mcg per day. 

How to Prevent and Treat Diabetes with Natural Medicine - Method 3 Using Exercise

1 Get regular cardiovascular exercise. Exercise can help you control your blood sugar, so it is essential for diabetes prevention and treatment. Increased exercise makes your cells more sensitive and responsive to the insulin your body produces. Exercise can also lower your blood pressure and strengthen your heart, which is relevant because high blood pressure and heart disease are often associated with diabetes.

·         Try to get at least thirty minutes of moderate exercise every day. When you are just starting out, low-intensity exercises such as walking are helpful as well.

2 Add strength training. Strength training will help you to improve your muscle strength and efficiency. The more muscle that you have, the more calories you will burn and the easier it will be to maintain a healthy weight, which is a crucial part of diabetes prevention.

·         Try adding in a couple of strength training sessions per week to your exercise routine to improve your overall fitness level.

3 Consider getting a personal trainer or taking a class. As you progress and get more fit, consider finding a trainer or a class where you can get individualized advice regarding target heart rates and types of exercise. To begin, walking is the easiest way to start, but you can also go swimming or join a yoga class.

4 Change up your routine often. People often get bored with exercise routines and end up quitting before they achieve any real results. Therefore, it is a good idea to make your routine as varied as possible.

·         Find things that you enjoy so that you stick with your routine. For example, if you have never been particularly interested in sports, you are not likely to stick with competitive sports.

5 Look for little ways to get more physical activity. You can get more physical activity by looking for opportunities in your daily routine. For example, you can try parking your car at the far end of the parking lot when you go grocery shopping or use the stairs instead of the elevator at work.

How to Prevent and Treat Diabetes with Natural Medicine - Method 2 Achieving Target Blood Glucose Levels

1 Check your blood glucose levels often. Your physician will make you aware of your “target” blood glucose levels, but you may need to test these blood levels daily. These can be tested at home using a home glucose monitor with test strips. Depending on the monitor, you may need to get a pinprick of blood from your fingertips or from your forearm. These pinpricks are not too painful for most people, but they can be painful for some people. Target blood glucose levels are typically:

·         morning (or fasting) levels of less than 100mg/dL (< 5.3 mmol/L),

·         1 hour after meals: <140 mg/dL (<7.8 mmol/L)

·         2 hours after meals: < 115mg/dL (< 6.4 mmol/L)

2 Use your blood glucose levels to help you change what and how much you eat.Your blood glucose level test results can guide you into changing the types and amounts of foods you eat to lower the levels of sugar in the blood.

·         If your blood sugar is high, you may need more insulin and you may need to look at what you are eating and decrease the amounts of sugars in your diet.

·         If the blood sugar levels remain high and you are on diabetes medications, those may have to be increased.

3 Take insulin as directed by your doctor. Insulin is a natural hormone replacement treatment and is a widely used natural treatment for diabetes. It may be necessary to add insulin (by injection) in order to “force” glucose into your cells. Your physician will guide you as to how much insulin to take and how to take it.

How to Prevent and Treat Diabetes with Natural Medicine - Method1 Using Diet and Nutrition

Diabetes is a condition of chronic hormonal disorders. The main characteristic is high sugar (glucose) in the blood because the cells of the body have become resistant to the action of insulin. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that helps control blood sugar levels. Although it is important to seek medical treatment for diabetes, there are several ways that you can treat and prevent diabetes using natural strategies such as diet modification, herbal supplementation, and exercise.

1 Keep your food as close to its original or natural form as possible. This means that you should try to limit any processed or prepared foods and cook from scratch as much as possible. Avoid boxed, canned, and “ready to eat” foods as much as possible.

·         Start shopping in the bulk section of your grocery store to get a better price for beans, rice, and pasta.

·         Buy fresh vegetables as much as possible. Frozen vegetables are fine, but fresh, organic, in-season vegetables are the best choice.

·         If you are pressed for time, try using a crock pot to cook your meals.

2 Make sure that 90-95% of your carbohydrates are complex carbohydrates.Complex carbohydrates are made up of individual sugar molecules that are strung together in long, complicated and often branched chains.

·         Complex carbohydrates are found in whole, unprocessed foods. Examples of complex carbohydrates include whole grain bread, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, quinoa, oats, starchy vegetables such as sweet potatoes, corn, pumpkin and squash, beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds.

·         Avoid simple carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates include added sugars like glucose, sucrose (table sugar), and fructose (most often added as high fructose corn syrup or HFCS). Consuming HFCS has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity.

3 Increase the amount of water you drink. Water helps flush out naturally produced toxins and helps maintain mineral (electrolyte) balance. Aim for about eight 8 ounce glasses of water per day. Talk to your doctor to determine if you have any special fluid restrictions or needs that you should consider.

·         Skip sugary beverages. Sugar by itself does not cause diabetes, but ingesting more sugar-filled beverages is linked to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.

·         Try drinking water, unsweetened sparkling water, or unsweetened iced tea instead of sugary soda.

4 Read labels on the foods you purchase and eat. Reading labels can help you determine the amount of sugars in food. Just keep in mind that manufacturers are not required to list added sugars. That is why it is best to choose whole, unprocessed foods as often as possible.

·         Avoid any food that includes terms like “enriched” or “refined.”

·         Unprocessed foods do contain some sugar, but it is not found in high levels and it is usually in the form of complex carbohydrates.

5 Watch your serving sizes of complex carbohydrates. Serving sizes vary depending on the type of food and your needs will depend on your weight and other factors such as age, sex, and activity level. A general recommendation is to have 45-60 grams of complex carbohydrates at every meal.

·         Eat most of your complex carbohydrates at breakfast and lunch and only have a small portion of complex carbohydrates for dinner.

6 Add flaxseeds to get more fiber in your diet. Getting enough fiber is essential to preventing and treating diabetes. Flaxseeds are great sources of fiber and they are an excellent source of the essential omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA.

·         In addition to providing essential nutrients that may help to treat and prevent diabetes, flaxseed and the fiber they contain can help with bowel movements and can help you decrease blood cholesterol as well. Flaxseeds are also associated with decreased risk of colon, breast and prostate cancer, and they may also help with menopause symptoms.

·         Try to include a tablespoon of ground flaxseeds at every meal or 3 tablespoons of flaxseed a day.

·         Use a coffee grinder to grind your own flaxseeds or keep pre-frozen ground seeds in your freezer.

7 Eat more fish and skinless poultry. Getting enough quality protein is an important component of diabetes prevention. Make sure that any poultry you eat is skinless to reduce the amount of unhealthy animal fats you consume and eat a couple of servings of wild-caught fish each week.

·         Wild-caught fish such as salmon, cod, haddock and tuna are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to good health.

8 Eat more fruits and vegetables. Eat plenty of non-root or starchy vegetables such as broccoli, leafy greens, cauliflower, and beans. These types of vegetables are low in calories, high in fiber, and nutrient dense. However, when you eat starchy vegetables and root vegetables, you will need to take the carbohydrate level into account.

·         You can also eat fruit. Being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes does not mean you can’t eat ANY sugars. It is just important to control the amount of sugars that you do eat.

9 Keep a diet diary for at least a month. The diet diary should record everything you eat and any changes in how you feel. Make sure to record the quality of your sleep and make notes about any changes that may be due to the foods you are eating.

·         Keeping a diet diary can also help you to keep track of what and how much you eat during the day. This may make you more aware of what and how much you are eating and help you to cut down on certain foods if necessary.

·         For example, if you find that every time you eat a particular food, you get very gassy and have some bloating, you can avoid that food in the future.

·         Take note of potential food sensitivities. Food sensitivities may make you more prone to obesity and that is a risk factor for diabetes. If you suspect that you are sensitive to some food, eliminate that food for at least two weeks.

·         The most common food sensitivities are to gluten (a protein found in wheat products), dairy products, milk/ lactose, tree nuts, shellfish, eggs and soy.

10 Get your Vitamin D levels checked if you are pregnant. Low Vitamin D levels may be associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes. Have your Vitamin D levels checked and take supplementation if you are deficient. 1000-2000 IU/day of Vitamin D have been safely used in pregnant women.

·         During sunny days, spend 10-15 minutes in the afternoon sun with some skin on your arms and legs exposed.

6 ways to Give Yourself Insulin - Method6 Following Recommended Safety Precautions

1 Ask your doctor for a demonstration. Do not rely on articles or videos online to teach you how to administer insulin, whether it's via a syringe, inhaler, or another device. Your doctor can answer any questions and show you the correct way to use your device (for instance, with shots she will need to show you at which angle you should insert the needle). Your doctor will also give you your exact dosage and all the necessary prescriptions.

2 Avoid using any insulin product if you are allergic. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience an allergic reaction.

§  Some insulins are derived from animal sources, most commonly pork, and may cause allergic reactions in people that have severe allergies.

§  Common allergic reactions to insulin include local and systemic reactions. Local reactions occur as redness, minor swelling, and itching at the injection site. This type of skin reaction resolves in a few days to weeks.

§  Systemic allergic reactions can present as a rash or hives that covers large portions of the body, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, decreased blood pressure, increased heart rate, and sweating. This is a medical emergency and you should call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room if it is close by.

3 Do not administer insulin if you are having a hypoglycemic event. Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood sugar level is too low. Insulin will make hypoglycemia worse; instead, you will need to consumer quick-acting carbohydrates or simple sugars.

§  Low blood sugar interferes with your brain’s ability to function properly.

§  Symptoms of hypoglycemia can include dizziness, trembling, headache, blurred vision, having trouble concentrating, confusion, and sometimes trouble with speaking. Other symptoms can include tremor, heavy sweating, increased heart rate, feeling anxious, and hunger.

§  Using fast-acting insulin in the midst of a hypoglycemic event will quickly drop your blood sugar even further and result in severe confusion, inability to communicate, and loss of consciousness.

§  If you mistakenly administer insulin when you are having a hypoglycemic event, quickly alert friends or family to seek medical attention, or call emergency if you are alone. Severe hypoglycemia events are serious and life-threatening situations.

§  You can begin to reverse the reaction by drinking orange juice, taking prepared glucose tablets or gel, or quickly begin to consume some form of sugar.

4 Monitor your skin for lipodystrophy. Lipodystrophy is a reaction that sometimes occurs on the skin where frequent insulin injections are given.

§  Symptoms of lipodystrophy include changes in the fatty tissues just under the surface of the skin. Unwanted changes that indicate lipodystrophy include both thickening and thinning of the fatty tissue in the injection site areas.

§  Check your skin regularly for lipodystrophy as well as inflammation, swelling, or any signs of infection.

5 Discard used needles properly. Never put syringes or needles in the regular trash.

§  Sharps, including used needles, lancets, and syringes, are considered to be biohazardous waste since they came in direct contact with someone's skin or blood.

§  Always dispose of needles that are used or damaged in a sharps container. Sharps containers are designed to be a safe way to dispose of syringes and needles.

§  Sharps containers are available for purchase at your local pharmacy, or online.

§  Review your state’s biohazardous waste guidelines. Many states have specific recommendations and programs that can help you develop a regular system for disposing of biohazardous waste.

§  Work with a mail back kit. Some companies offer to supply you with the appropriate sizes of sharps containers, and agree to set up an arrangement for you to safely mail those containers back to them when they are full. The company will dispose of the biohazard materials appropriately, according to EPA, FDA, and state requirements.

6 Never re-use or share a needle. Once the injection has been given, discard the needle and syringe in a sharps container. When an insulin pen is empty, discard the device in the sharps container.

§  A needle that has pierced your skin, or the skin of someone else, is not only dulled, but contaminated with possibly serious and contagious diseases.

7 Do not change insulin brands. Some insulin products are very similar but not exact. Talk to your doctor before you make any changes in your insulin regimen, including switching brands.

§  Even though some brands are similar, your doctor has chosen the brand that best suits your needs, and your dose has been adjusted to the way that product reacts in your body.

§  Use the same brand of syringes and needles. It is easy to become confused and administer the wrong amount if the syringes and needles look different.

8 Never use insulin that has expired. Check the expiration date on your insulin product often. Avoid using insulin that has passed its expiration date.

§  While the potency may be close to the potency when purchased, there is a risk that you will not get enough from using products that have expired, contaminants may be present, or particles may have formed inside the vial.

9 Discard insulin that has been open for 28 days. Once the first dose has been used from an insulin product, it is considered open.

§  This includes insulin that has been properly stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Since the top of the insulin vial has been punctured, there is an increased risk of contaminants inside the vial, even if you have stored it properly.

10 Know your products and your dose. Be familiar with the brand of insulin you use, your dose, and the brand of additional supplies you use.

§  Be sure you consistently use the same size insulin syringes and needles that were prescribed for you.

§  Using a U-100 syringe in place of a U-500 syringe can be extremely dangerous, and vice versa.

§  Talk to your doctor or diabetic healthcare provider if you notice any changes in your products or have any questions. 

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