Natural Remedies for Diabetes Management

With Dr. Kingsbury

Whole Foods

Small frequent meals. Limit high glycemic, refined, or processed carbohydrate foods. Reduce salt. Any beans reduce the rise in blood sugar after meals and delays the drop in blood sugar later. Peanuts keep blood sugar levels down. Buckwheat, millet, quinoa grains.

Vegetables

Garlic – enhances the secretion of insulin, can help lower blood sugar, stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes thus enhancing absorption of nutrients

Green String Beans – rich in silica and hormones similar to insulin

Jerusalem artichoke – high in a starch called inulin, which does not break down in the digestive process to form glucose, which makes it an ideal food for diabetics.

Onions – contains quercetin which helps with diabetic retinopathy

Juices

Raw foods stimulate the pancreas and increase insulin production. Juices are concentrated forms of vitamins and minerals in a form easy for the body to assimilate. 

Apple – Regulates blood sugar levels. Lowers blood cholesterol and blood pressure.

Celery – helps to balance sodium and potassium levels, natural diuretic.

Cucumber – contains a hormone needed by the cells of the pancreas to produce insulin. Aids in the elimination of toxins and uric acid through the kidneys. Good for gout. Contains sterols that reduce cholesterol.

Oils

Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) – Olive oil, peanuts, avocadoes, pistachio nuts, cashews, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts 59%

Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids – walnuts, fish oils, flax seed oil 1 tablespoon

Herbal Supplements

Bilberry leaf capsules 40-50 mg 3x a day – encourages insulin production, improves circulation in the eye especially the retina

Gingko extract 40-80 mg 3x a day – increases circulation and blood flow,

Fenugreek Powder capsules 50 mg per 2x a day - It contains six compounds that regulate blood sugar, increases the good HDL cholesterol, about half is soluble fiber.

Ginseng root (eleuthero) 500-100mg a day – improves immunity, enhances nerve function and mental performance, increase strength and appetite, improves blood flow to brain

Herbal Teas

To make an herbal tea, step 1-teaspoon herbs to 1 cup of boiling water for 20 minutes. Strain off the herbs and sip the tea.

Bay Leaves – helps the body use insulin more efficiently

Green or Black Tea 2 cups or 300 mg – reduce blood sugar levels

Calendula flowers - anti-yeast against candita

Cinnamon bark – By enhancing the effectiveness of insulin, cinnamon may help prevent a decline in glucose tolerance

Dandelion root – Liver support. High in natural potassium. Eases constipation.

Fenugreek Seeds – It contains six compounds that regulate blood sugar, increases the good HDL cholesterol, about half is soluble fiber.

Huckleberry and blueberry leaf tea – encourages insulin production

Marshmallow root – high in soluble plant fiber, pectin reduces blood sugar levels

Nettle leaf – excellent adrenal support, can reduce blood sugar levels

Oat tops – Helps to balance blood sugar levels. Regulates thyroid and sex hormones.

Nutritional Supplements

Chromium – aids in metabolism of excess sugar

Manganese – important for effective glucose utilization

Vit C 500-100mg 3x a day

Mixed flavonoids: 1000-2000 mg per day

Vit E 800-1200 IU per day

Flaxseed Oil 1 Tablespoon a day

GLA 240-480 mg per day (Evening Primrose)

Magnesium 250mg 2-3x a day

Methylcobalamin (active B12) 1000 mcg per day

Fiber (guar, pectin, or oat bran) 20-30 g a day

Brewer’s Yeast 3-5 teaspoons. Good on popcorn.

Aromatherapy

Lavender – rejuvenating, anti depressant, and relaxing properties

Peppermint – reduces food cravings

Exercise

Regular exercise is the most important single thing, aside from dietary factors that a diabetic can do. Aerobic exercise diminishes the need for insulin. Walking is great.

Bibliography

Drink to Your Health by Anne McIntyre

Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno

Green Pharmacy by James Duke

How to Get Well by Paavo Airola

Health Note

If you are using insulin or other related drugs, do not stop taking it. It is possible to gradually adjust the dosage as your blood sugar values improve. This should be closely supervised by a physician. This information is for educational purposes only. You do not need to take all of the above supplements or teas. Remember that you are responsible for the actions that you take with the information you receive.

Dia-beanie Soup Recipe

from Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke, Ph.D.

Beans contain a type of fiber that is particularly useful for controlling blood sugar levels, and onion skin is particularly rich in the beneficial compound quercetin, which serves the same purpose. Leaving the onion skin on while the soup cooks means that more of the compound will end up in the coup bowl, where you want it.

2 cups water

1 unpeeled onion, quartered

1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 small carrot, diced

½ cup peanuts

¼ cup fenugreek sprouts or ½ teaspoon fenugreek seeds

2 bay leaves

4 cloves garlic, chopped

Dash of ground cinnamon

Dash of ground cloves

Dash of turmeric

In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring the water and onions to a boil. Add the beans, carrots, peanuts, fenugreek sprouts or seeds, bay leaves, garlic, cinnamon, cloves, and turmeric.

Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, or until the onions are very tender. Remove the onion pieces with a slotted spoon; peel off and discard the skins. Lightly mash the onions with a fork and return to the saucepan. Remove and discard the bay leaves.

Makes 4 servings