Natural Foods to Help Control Diabetes

Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States. It can lead to many complications such as loss of vision, loss of limbs, high blood pressure and stroke. It is an extremely serious condition which should be treated under the care of a qualified physician.

There are two types of diabetes, Type I and Type II. Type I diabetes is usually triggered in childhood and is the result of the pancreas not producing enough insulin to utilize the body’s sugar. Type II is usually adult onset and is defined by the body’s inability to utilize the insulin that’s produced. The cells in the body stop responding to the insulin that’s produced causing high blood sugar levels.

Type I diabetes is almost always treated with insulin injections whereas Type II is more commonly treated with diet, exercise and oral medications to help the body use the insulin it’s already producing.

The following herbs have been used by herbal practitioners for many years. If you would like to take an herbal approach to find out if you would benefit, it’s suggested that you find a licensed herbal practitioner. Medical herbalists are trained for the same diagnostic skills as a regular medical doctor, but tend to take a more holistic approach in treating their patients. Medical doctors usually treat the symptoms while holistic practitioners treat the person as a whole and try to discover the underlying causes of the condition.

Bilberry contains flavonoids which can help strengthen the small capillaries. Many diabetics have problems with circulation due to the capillaries shrinking in size. This often leads to amputation of limbs if left untreated or if an infection sets in. Bilberry also contains a compound that has been shown to have anti-hyperglycemic effects on the body.

Fenugreek helps to regulate blood sugar levels, increases good cholesterol and helps to lower overall cholesterol levels. This may also help prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease which many diabetics develop.