Can Diabetes Be Prevented and Treated with Natural Medicine?

Type 2 diabetes can be prevented and controlled with "natural medicine," but there are other factors that play into the development and progression of the disease.

You may not think of food as natural medicine, but diet is important in controlling type 2 diabetes. As soon as you are diagnosed with this type of diabetes, your doctor will recommend a healthful diet that is balanced with protein, carbohydrates and fats. You will be told to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and to include whole grains in your diet. You will also be told to avoid foods that are high in sugar and/or carbohydrates, such as white bread, white rice, cookies, cake and other baked goods made with white flour.

Eating certain foods may lower blood sugar naturally

Some foods are known to lower blood glucose levels, and eating them could be considered to be adding natural medicine to your diet. Studies are still being conducted to test the effectiveness of foods such as cinnamon, oatmeal, and others. A recent study conducted at the University of California published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that cinnamon lowers fasting blood glucose. It lower glucose in the blood anywhere from 3 to 5 percent, which is about the same as for older diabetes medications. Saigon cinnamon was found to be the most effective type of cinnamon, and it does not cause liver problems like some other types of this spice can do when eaten or taken in large amounts in capsule form.

80 million pre-diabetics could benefit by eating foods that lower glucose levels

Natural medicine found in foods may help the many millions of people in the United States who have pre-diabetes. If they get their sugar levels in control, they may not develop diabetes. Unfortunately, many people with a higher than normal fasting blood sugar level, the test commonly used to see if pre-diabetes exists, do not take being pre-diabetic seriously. If they did, they could use foods and other natural medicines to lower their risk of developing diabetes 2 in the future.

Oatmeal and whole grains

According to WebMD, American Dietetic Association spokesperson Marisa Moore, RD, LD, told the website that oatmeal is "slower to digest and won't raise your blood sugar as much or as quickly. It's going to work better at controlling blood sugar over time." Moore continued to state that oatmeal also helps you feel full longer, so it can be used to help lose weight. It is a known fact that reducing extra weight lowers the chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Whole grains can help control type 2 diabetes because they take longer to digest, so the glucose from them is released slowly into the body. The same is true for brown rice or for other high fiber foods. Eating a healthy diabetes diet is the best way to control this disease. Of course, many people also require medication if diet and exercise are not enough to lower blood sugar levels.