Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, refers to a group of metabolic disorders that affects your body’s ability to use blood sugar. There are three main types of diabetes – Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Out of all the people who have diabetes, about 90 percent of them have Type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is caused when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to control blood sugar. Its risk factors include a family history of this type of diabetes, vitamin D deficiency, and an exposure to certain types of viruses like Epstein-Barr virus. Type 2 is caused when the cells in your body do not respond to insulin properly. Its risk factors include excess abdominal fat, obesity, family history of Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, a history of polycystic ovaries, high triglyceride levels, and an inactive lifestyle. And gestational diabetes affects pregnant women because, during pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that can lead to the buildup of sugar in your blood.
If you have diabetes, you need to make an effort to maintain normal blood sugar levels to preserve your overall health. You can take your medications on time, exercise regularly, and eat healthy foods. You can also try some herbs and spices to control your blood sugar levels.
1. Turmeric
Turmeric has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, weight-reducing, and heart-protecting properties which can help control your blood sugar levels and can reduce complications you may have because of the disease. You can start adding turmeric to your foods, drink it with warm milk, or take supplements after consulting your doctor.
2. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is especially helpful to those with Type 2 diabetes. It has bioactive components that help lower blood sugar levels. It also helps maintain the levels of fasting plasma glucose, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride. You can have it in the form of tea by adding it to hot water or you can sprinkle it on your oatmeal and smoothies. If you want to take cinnamon supplements, you should consult your doctor first.
3. Ginger
Ginger has anti-diabetic, anti-oxidative, and hypolipidemic properties, which all help control your blood sugar levels. Ginger also improves insulin sensitivity, lowers your cholesterol levels, and aids in weight loss. You can start including fresh ginger in your cooking, drink 2 to 3 cups of ginger tea on a daily basis, or take ginger supplements after consulting your doctor.
4. Garlic
Garlic has anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic properties, which help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels. It also contains sulfur compounds which protect your body against oxidative damage. You should chew 2 to 3 garlic cloves on an empty stomach in order to derive maximum benefit from it. If you feel its smell is too pungent, you can soak a few garlic cloves in raw organic honey for about 10 days and then have them on a daily basis.
5. Aloe Vera
Fresh aloe vera gel helps lower your blood sugar levels naturally and regularizes insulin flow. You can drink a glass of fresh aloe vera juice about 2 times a day, or you can take supplements after consulting your doctor.
6. Korean Ginseng
Korean or Panax ginseng helps control your blood sugar levels after you’ve had your meal. It increases insulin sensitivity and reduces complications caused by diabetes. Diabetic patients have a problem with metabolizing carbohydrates. Drinking 1 to 2 cups of Korean ginseng tea on a daily basis helps improve carbohydrate metabolization.
7. Cloves
Cloves have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help control blood glucose levels. It can also prevent some complications caused by diabetes such as heart disease, eye disease, renal impairment, and vascular problems. You can chew a few cloves on a daily basis or add them to your cooking.
