Being diagnosed with diabetes is a scary, life-changing event. Arming yourself with as much knowledge as possible about the disease is your best defense. The more you know about your options, the more you can experiment with what will work for you.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease. There is no cure for it. People with diabetes either do not produce insulin or their body does not correctly use it. Insulin is a hormone. It is what our body produces for us to change carbohydrates and sugar into energy. When the body cannot properly use the insulin, a high blood sugar level is the result. Diabetes can be dangerous or even deadly if not properly taken care of. Blindness, stroke, nerve damage, and depression are just a few of the complications that can be caused by diabetes.
There are a few types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetics do not produce insulin at all. This type of diabetes is sometimes referred to as insulin-dependant. Type 2 diabetics either do not produce enough insulin or their body does not use it properly. Gestational diabetes refers to the elevated blood sugar levels some women experience during pregnancy. Any woman who experiences diabetes during pregnancy would need to be tested after delivery to see if the condition still exists. Lastly, there is pre-diabetes. With this condition, a person has high blood sugar levels. The levels, however, are not high enough to diagnose that person as having diabetes.
A lot of treatment options exist for people with diabetes. Shots of insulin can be directly injected into the bloodstream of someone who does not produce their own insulin. There are also medications which lower blood sugar. These are usually given to people with Type 2 diabetes. Exercise is almost always recommended for someone with diabetes. A diet that is low in sugar and starches can also be helpful in controlling blood sugar levels.
While all of these options are available, alternative medicine is gaining popularity. Studies are being conducted continuously to test different herbs and their effect on diabetes. Most experts, however, would advise caution when using an herbal remedy to treat diabetes.
There are several herbs that have been tested for use in people with diabetes. Ginseng, in a clinical trial, was shown to lower blood sugar. Fenugreek has also been shown to lower blood sugar levels. While studies have shown that these herbs can help lower blood sugar, there is still not enough evidence to conclude that these herbs can actually treat diabetes.
It is important to use extreme caution when using herbs to treat diabetes. Most doctors are going to advise against using herbs at all. In some cases, they have been known to be dangerous or even deadly. At this point in time, there just isn’t enough research to validate any company’s claim that their herb is effective for treating diabetes. Also, all herbs are not created equally. There are no regulations for manufacturing herbs, and therefore, you cannot trust the quality. The Food and Drug Administration, at this time, does not test these herbs for their content. Certain ingredients may or may not be listed on the label. The American Diabetes Association warns that herbs can interact negatively with your diabetes medication. So, with all the hype about alternative remedies for diabetes, what’s the best advice? Discuss any herbal supplements you are considering taking with your doctor before taking them. Your health is too important not to!
