These days, it seems like everybody is worried about getting diabetes. While diabetes is not deadly, what poses as great problems are the complications of the disease. It can cause you to have a stroke, or heart attack, or kidney failure. It can also result to blindness or even inability to walk, especially when you are amputated.

Diabetes, or diabetes mellitus, is a condition where there is increasing glucose in the blood. Glucose is important in our body; it is actually the simplest form of food that is being burned in order to create energy for the different cells of our body to function. Without glucose, a person will die. But even if you need glucose, you do not need too much of it flowing in your blood. The normal value of glucose in your blood when you are fasting must be between 80-120 mg/dL. If you regularly have a glucose level that is more than 120 mg/dL, you are already considered to have Diabetes Mellitus.

While we are always warned to reduce our consumption of sugar or glucose, the main culprit is actually the insulin. During metabolic process, glucose is being utilized by the cell. But in order for the cell to use the glucose, there is a need for insulin to serve as a key so that glucose may enter the cells. Some people are born with a limited supply of insulin by the pancreas. This people need regular insulin injection since childhood. But there are those where the onset occurs during adulthood. The cells in their body have become more resistant to glucose. Because of this, instead of the glucose being utilized by the cell, it accumulates in the blood. When it accumulates, the blood thickens, and there are more problems that will result from glucose thickened blood.

Because of the physiological process mentioned, several remedies are recommended. Some of these are supplements and herbs that are found out to be effective in controlling the disease.

1. Bitter Melon

   In a joint study made in China by the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, they were able to discover four compounds in the extract of bitter melon that can activate the enzyme called AMPK. AMPK is actually a type of protein that can help in the regulation of the metabolism of fuel and will enable the uptake of glucose. When a diabetic person exercise, the AMPK that is stored in the muscles is activated, which will then facilitate the movement of glucose into the cell; the glucose can then be used as fuel for energy production in the body. That is the reason why the more you exercise, the better the control of diabetes because of the reaction of AMPK in the body. In the bitter melon, the compounds found in the vegetable are found to be helpful in activating AMPK, the way exercise does. So eating loads of bitter melon is just like exercising. While there are drugs that act the way bitter melon do to the body, bitter melon has fewer side effects.

2. Magnesium

   Magnesium is one of the macrominerals. It is rich in pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, in spinach, Swiss chard, soybeans, black beans and in salmon and halibut. A normal adult sshould take between 250 to 350 milligrams of magnesium per day. An excellent source of magnesium is boiled spinach and Swiss chard; a cup of these vegetables can already provide about 40 percent of the recommended daily dose. Magnesium does not just keep the bone healthy; it can also help in any sugar imbalance. But magnesium is more associated with the prevention of diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes.

3. Gamma-Linolenic Acid

   Taking 270 to 540 milligrams daily of gamma-linolenic acid is effective in controlling diabetes. Gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA, is a type of omega-6 fatty acids. It can be found in evening primrose oil, in black currant seed oil and in borage seed oil. The most advantage GLA can give to those suffering from diabetes is its capacity to reduce symptoms such as nerve pain in diabetic neuropathy. While GLA is effective in preventing complication experience by diabetics, it is more effective to those who have normal blood sugar levels.

4. Chromium

   Chromium is one of the trace minerals necessary to the body. When it was discovered, it was found out to be responsible in the metabolism of carbohydrates by forming GTF, or glucose tolerance factor. Being a component of GTF, chromium has shown its ability to control blood sugar levels. GTF’s function is to help in increasing the function of insulin. Because of this, GTF can help lower the blood sugar. Chromium can be found in raw onions, in Romaine lettuce and ripe tomatoes. A normal adult should take about 25 to 35 micrograms of chromium daily. Although not enough, 2 cups of Romaine lettuce can already give 13 percent of the daily value and cup of ripe tomato can give 7.5 percent of chromium.

5. Alpha-Lipoic Acid

   For healthy individuals, alpha-lipoic acid is already produced naturally by the body. It is an antioxidant that can help in turning glucose into energy. Several studies showed that alpha-lipoic acid can help in lowering the blood sugar of the body. For those suffering from the complications of the disease, alpha-lipoic can actually kill the free radicals that cause diabetic neuropathy in the extremities. Alpha-lipoic is rich in red meats, organ meats and yeasts. If supplements are desired, make sure to take only about 600 to 800 milligrams per day.

6. Fenugreek

   The seeds of fenugreek are being utilized as medicine. There are several indications for fenugreek, and one of which is its ability to lower the blood sugar levels of those suffering from diabetes. According to studies, it works by slowing the absorption of sugar or glucose in the stomach. As it slows the absorption, insulin secretion by the pancreas is stimulated.

7. Ginseng

   In a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2000, the researchers of the St. Michaels Hospital and the University of Toronto has found out that taking American ginseng before eating can help in the reduction of blood sugar for those who are diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and for those who have normal blood sugar levels. Although the research still needs further studies, it shows the potential of ginseng in controlling diabetes.

8. Bilberry

   It is the leaves of bilberry that has shown to have an effect in controlling diabetes. Bilberry is a relative of blueberry and is usually made into jams or added in pies. Just like all other berries, bilberry also have ample amount of antioxidants that can help in preventing several diseases. In diabetes, there are studies that show that after eating a meal that is high in sugar content, bilberry can help in the reduction of blood sugar levels.

Sources
rd.com
umm.edu
umm.edu
whfoods.org
sciencedaily.com