Diabetes Control Without Medicine

This Researcher Says Diabetes Is Not Always Chronic. Here’s How To Cure It

If you Google type 2 diabetes, reliable sources—like the National Institutes of Health website—will tell you that it’s a chronic condition. But Newcastle University researcher Roy Taylor, M.D., begs to differ. His research finds that some people are able to reverse their diabetes by going on an ultra low-calorie diet. For Dr. Taylor’s new study, 30 diabetic people ate just 700 calories daily for two months. They lost 31 pounds on average. Related: THE 21-DAY METASHRED—One Guy Lost 25 Pounds In Just 6 Weeks! Twelve of those subjects’ blood sugar levels fell below the threshold for diabetes, 126 milligrams per deciliter, as a result. Some of their levels were completely within the normal range, Dr. Taylor says, but the average fell within pre-diabetic parameters. Afterward, the researchers gave the study participants guidance on portion size to help them return to a normal diet while maintaining their new, lower weight. Six months later, all of those people were still diabetes-free. That means that as long as they keep their weight down, they no longer need to take insulin or constantly monitor their blood sugar. They’re no longer at risk for premature heart attacks and strokes, or diabetes complications that can damage their eyes, kidneys, and feet, says Dr. Taylor. Plus, they just feel better—poor blood sugar regulation can zap your energy. How does a diet cure type 2 diabetes? It comes down to weight loss, he says. Diabetes is caused by a buildup of fat in your pancreas, Dr. Taylor says. The extra fat screws with your organ’s ability to make insulin, the hormone that controls your blood sugar. Related: Does Sugar Really Cause Diabetes? But when you lose fat, the first bit to go is the fat in your organs, says Dr. Taylor. “In the first 10 to 14 kilog Continue reading >>

How To Help Your Body Reverse Diabetes

Diabetes rates are rising, in fact it is now considered an “epidemic” in the medical community. The American Diabetes Association reports that: 23.6 million Americans have diabetes 57 million Americans are pre-diabetic 1.6 new cases of diabetes are reported each year For those over age 60, almost 1 in 4 have diabetes Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death Diabetes increases heart attack risk and 68% of diabetes related death certificates report heart related problems 75% of adults with diabetes will develop high blood pressure Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure and nervous system disorders Diabetes costs $174 billion annually Diabetes is a well-established problem and a multi-billion dollar industry. It is medically characterized by Fasting Blood Glucose higher than 126 mg/dL , which ranges between 100-125 mg/dL are considered pre-diabetic and ranges below 99 mg/dL are considered normal. Studies are finding that a fasting blood glucose below 83 mg/dL is actually a better benchmark, as risk of heart disease begins to increase at anything above that. IMPORTANT: There is a difference between Type 1 diabetes (an autoimmune condition) and Type 2 diabetes (lifestyle related). This article refers specifically to Type 2 diabetes. Some medical professionals use an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) to test for diabetes. If you’ve ever been pregnant and had to drink the sickeningly sweet sugar cocktail and then have blood drawn, you are familiar with this one. Basically, a patient is given 50-75 grams of glucose in concentrated solution and his blood sugar response is measured. I’m not a fan of this test because no one should be ingesting that much concentrated glucose, and the test is not a completely accurate measure. (Just a side note: if yo Continue reading >>

> Diabetes Control: Why It's Important

People who have diabetes may hear or read a lot about controlling, or managing, the condition. But what is diabetes control and why is it so important? When you hear your doctors or health care providers talk about "diabetes control," they're usually referring to how close your blood sugar, or glucose, is kept to the desired range. Having too much or too little sugar in your blood can lead you to feel sick now and can cause health problems later. Managing diabetes is like a three-way balancing act: The medications you take (insulin or pills), the food you eat, and the amount of exercise you get all need to be in sync. Diabetes can get out of control if someone: doesn't take diabetes medicines as directed doesn't follow the meal plan (like eating too much or not enough food without adjusting diabetes medicines) doesn't get regular exercise or exercises more or less than usual without making changes to his or her diabetes plan has an illness or too much stress doesn't check blood sugar levels enough Out-of-control blood sugar levels can lead to short-term problems like hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or diabetic ketoacidosis. In the long run, not controlling diabetes can also damage the vessels that supply blood to important organs, like the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. This means that heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, vision problems, and nerve problems can happen to people with diabetes. These problems don't usually show up in kids or teens who have had the disease for only a few years, but they can happen to adults with diabetes. Kids and teens with diabetes who don't control their blood sugar levels can be late going into puberty and might not end up as tall as they would have otherwise. The good news is that keeping blood sugar levels under control can help Continue reading >>

17 Ways To Lower Your Blood Sugar Without Medications

Type 2 diabetes has become a global epidemic. But did you know that it’s not just preventable but also reversible? If you have Diabetes Type 2, we have for you a bunch of helpful tips on how to bring down blood sugar. While some of us are genetically at a risk of diabetes Type 2, it is largely a lifestyle disorder today. By changing your lifestyle, you can learn how to lower blood sugar levels naturally — without the need for medication. Most diabetes medications are nothing more than a temporary-fix. They don’t address the underlying reason behind high blood sugar, which is driven by the environment. Diet and lifestyle changes can reverse diabetes, unlike medications which only treat the symptoms. The key: Make a positive change to the way you eat, sleep, stay active, and manage stress. So, let’s learn how to bring down blood sugar through 15 easy, natural ways. How To Lower Blood Sugar Naturally: 17 Actionable Tips 1. Cut Back On Carbohydrates A diet high in processed carbs adds to the sugar load in your diet. This is because all carbs get broken down into sugars upon digestion. This leads to increased blood sugar and weight gain. Avoid all carbs with a high glycemic index. We recommend a Low Carb-High Fat or LCHF diet to reverse diabetes. Ideally, only 10% of your daily caloric intake should come from carbs. The right carbs for any diabetic are fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth and millets are some whole grains that work. 2. You Need More Of The Good Fats Afraid how will you survive when cutting back on the belly-filling carbs? This is where the good fats step in. Healthy fats that provide Omega 3 fatty acids are your friends. Not only will they keep you full for longer, they will also improve your heart health Continue reading >>

Treating Diabetes With Diet And Exercise

Recently, I was reading some of the readers’ postings on this Web site. Some of these postings expressed fairly strong opinions about how one should best manage his or her diabetes. Of course, one of the many good things about living in the United States is our right to freedom of speech, and postings such as these certainly get people thinking. However, it’s all too common for misconceptions about diabetes to abound. Whether it’s the belief that eating sugar causes diabetes, or that starting on insulin can make you go blind, or that having to start taking diabetes pills or insulin means that you’re a “bad diabetic,” as a dietitian and diabetes educator, I feel compelled to set the record straight whenever I can. So, what’s the best way to control diabetes? When it comes to Type 1 diabetes, which accounts for 5% to 10% of all diabetes cases, that’s a no-brainer. A person with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin to survive. His pancreas has—to put it simply—”pooped out,” meaning that it no longer makes enough insulin. Of course, a person with Type 1 diabetes has choices as to how he takes insulin. The choices nowadays range from the traditional vial and syringe to an insulin pen to an insulin pump to an inhaler. The future holds more possibilities for insulin delivery as well. People with Type 1 diabetes must still incorporate meal planning and physical activity into their daily management. About 90% to 95% of people with diabetes have Type 2. But Type 2 diabetes is a little less clear-cut in terms of how it’s best managed. The reason is that Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition. When someone is first diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, the cornerstones of management are often, initially, what many health-care professionals term “diet and exer Continue reading >>

How Do You Cure Diabetes Naturally Without Medication?

Yes, Type 2 Diabetes Can Be Reversed. By Dr. Candice Hall, D.C. I admit, this is a topic about which I am passionate. At the helm of the integrative/functional health practice I founded in Irvine, Calif., I’ve worked with hundreds of people suffering from diabetes, thyroid disease, immune disorders and a myriad of chronic and degenerative conditions. It is amazing to see so many patients in our practice reduce the symptoms of, or even reverse, their condition. I am particularly gratified when considering how many patients have found it possible to reduce, or even eliminate, their need for prescription drugs. How is this possible? Much has to do with the vantage point of “upstream” versus “downstream” approaches to illness and health. When a blood test indicates that you have diabetes, what happens? In a “downstream” approach to illness and treatment, the symptom that produced the diagnoses — high blood sugar — is treated with drugs. For example, insulin brings the blood sugar measurements into a normal range, and you’re “managing” diabetes. Except that you’re not. In contrast, an “upstream” view of health looks to determine the “whys” of a patient’s condition. For instance, many diabetics are confused and frustrated by the fact that they eat better than many people they know, yet they struggle with weight and diabetes, while others eat whatever they want and don't have to worry about their blood sugars. In an “upstream” approach, the real question is — why? Why are my blood sugars high or volatile? Why am I being given medications to “manage” my condition, rather than solutions to address the underlying cause of the problem? The course of action each individual takes is highly personal, clearly. And in some cases, medication Continue reading >>

Can You Control Diabetes Without Medicine?

If you have type 1 diabetes, the answer is simply no. Taking insulin is a necessity because your body may not make any, or may not make enough, of the hormone. If you have type 2 diabetes, the answer is more complicated. The first treatment your healthcare provider may offer is a combination of meal planning, exercise, and weight loss. Such steps can lower blood glucose. Sometimes the drop is enough to bring glucose levels down near the normal range. In that case, the lifestyle changes alone may be enough to manage your diabetes. Over time, however, that picture may change. When type 2 diabetes first starts, your pancreas is usually making plenty of insulin, but your body has trouble using it efficiently. As time goes on, your body may stop making enough insulin. At this point, medicine may be needed. Many people with type 2 diabetes eventually need medicine to properly manage their disease. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet, exercise, and weight loss is still very important and should be continued, even if you are taking medicines to help manage your diabetes. One form of diabetes, called gestational diabetes, develops during pregnancy. Often the mother's blood sugar can be controlled early in the pregnancy without medicine. But later on in the pregnancy, medicines, even including insulin, will likely be needed. Continue reading >>

Alternatives To Insulin Injections

In most cases of feline diabetes, insulin is the treatment of choice. The thought of giving insulin injections daily is a scary prospect for many cat owners. As a result, if your cat is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, you may be wondering if there is an alternative to treating with insulin. There may be other treatment options that are worth exploring in a situation where your cat's personality is not conducive to receiving daily or twice daily injections of insulin or where you are physically incapable of giving the insulin injections. Oral hypoglycemic medications such as glipizide and acarbose are one such option. These medications act to help lower the blood glucose levels. They are given by mouth and are most effective for cats with mild diabetes. They are effective for some, but not all, diabetic cats. Strictly Controlled Diet as Possible Alternative A strictly controlled diet can be useful in controlling the blood glucose levels of cats with diabetes. Diet by itself may or may not be completely effective, and it is most likely to work for cats that do not have severe diabetes. The most commonly recommended food for a cat with diabetes is a diet containing high levels of protein and low levels of carbohydrates. Canned cat foods are preferred if commercial diets are used (as opposed to kibble or dry food). A high protein, low carbohydrate diet can be combined with one of the oral hypoglycemic medications to further help regulate your cat's blood glucose levels. It is possible that this may be more effective than using diet or medication alone. Other Considerations in the Treatment of Diabetic Cats Another important consideration in treating a cat with diabetes, especially if the disease is caught early, is that remission is possible in many cases, if regulation o Continue reading >>

Living With Type 2 Diabetes: Under Control Without Meds For 25 Years

When Bonny Damocles was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, he asked his doctor if he could try diet and exercise before starting the recommended medications. Granted a reprieve, he immediately began the most grueling workout he could think of: running stairs. Because his export business allowed him to work from his Midland, Michigan home where he served as the primary caregiver for a son with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, he broke his workouts up into segments totaling two hours per day. He quit eating sugar and most processed foods. When he reported back to his doctor ten days later, his blood sugar had dropped from 468 to readings in the 130s and 140s. “Continue what you are doing,” his doctor told him. “These are very encouraging results.” Twenty-five years later, the 80-year-old still runs stairs and watches his diet rather than using medication to control his diabetes. His a1c tests typically range from 5.2 to 6.3 percent; his most recent result was 5.8. He reports no diabetes complications and considers himself in excellent health. But he knows he hasn’t conquered diabetes. About 3½ years after his diagnosis, after a long streak of excellent blood sugar readings, a friend suggested he was cured. Damocles believed him. “So I drastically reduced my stair-running time to practically none on some days and started eating the wrong foods for me: steaks, fried chicken, pork chops, and other high-fat foods.” Then one day, out of curiosity, he tested his blood sugar. “It was 486 mg/dl. I nearly fainted.” These days, Damocles does his stairs exercise in four 25-minute increments, primarily before meals. He knows better than to let up. “I know, as all type 2 diabetics know, that once a diabetic, always a diabetic. I will never get rid of this disease.” Too Continue reading >>

If You Are Diabetic Can You Control It By Diet Only Without Medication?

To control your diabetes naturally, I advise you to start consuming more fiber. Fiber has the power to control and lower blood glucose levels, so it would be good if you could include fiber in every meal. You will find fiber in cereals, vegetables and fruits. But be careful with the fruits, and now I'll talk about that later. Among foods with a lot of fiber, is oats. Oatmeal, in addition to its fiber content, contributes complex carbohydrates. The latter means that the body will slowly absorb them when you consume them and thus your sugar levels will not increase sharply. Oatmeal is a food that you can consume at any time of the day, so do not worry about it. What I recommend is that it is natural oats, that is, do not buy that brand oat that comes in box and is usually sold in supermarkets, such as the famous Quaker Oats, since it is only junk food with sugar sugar). As for the fruits that you should consume to lower your diabetes naturally, you are only allowed to eat 2: apple and bitter melon. The other fruits are going to shoot your blood sugar, and that is because the fruits contain simple carbohydrates, that is, they are absorbed quickly by the body when consuming them. Vegetables, on the other hand, have complex carbohydrates, so you will be able to consume all those with a low glycemic index, since the high indexes are going to increase blood glucose levels sharply. Examples of vegetables with high glycemic index are carrots and beets. The green tea is an herb that will help lower blood sugar naturally. Green tea contains a substance called EGCG, which allows the pancreas to produce and secrete insulin, to properly control blood glucose levels. I recommend that you drink green tea every day, but I do not advise those sold in cash at supermarkets, but you should Continue reading >>

How To Manage Gestational Diabetes Without Medication

Expert Reviewed Gestational diabetes is a bit different from the other forms of diabetes you may have heard about. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy, a time where your body is going through a number of pretty radical changes. One of those changes is in the levels of blood sugar, also known as blood glucose levels. From 4% to 9.2 % of women have gestational diabetes during pregnancy.[1] It does not necessarily mean that you or your baby have the more common form of diabetes and it does not mean that you or your baby will have diabetes after your baby is born.[2] Most women are tested for gestational diabetes around the 28th week of gestation. Although you should talk to your doctor about your gestational diabetes during your normal visits, there are some ways you can manage it at home. For the most part, treatment of gestational diabetes is controlled through diet, increased physical activity, and sometimes, medication or insulin shots. Continue reading >>

Trying To Control Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes And Hypertension Without Meds Is A Bad Idea

A lot of the topics I write about are inspired by something that has come up in one of my classes. This blog is no different. Avoiding taking diabetes and blood pressure medicine Several weeks ago a patient was referred to our 10-hour comprehensive diabetes class. When reviewing the patient’s health questionnaire with her she spoke up and said that she had listed all of the medications she was supposed to be taking but that she was not taking any of them. I repeated back to her what she had just told me to make sure that I had heard her correctly. When she confirmed what I thought she had said was true I asked her why she was not taking the prescribed medications. She told me that she wanted to try and control her blood pressure and blood sugar levels without having to take medications, and that is why she was attending the class. I can certainly understand her desire to do this and respect her attitude for being willing to do what it may take to accomplish her goal, if it is possible. At this point no one knows if it is possible or not. As I reviewed her list of medications I saw she had been prescribed at least one diabetes medication as well as one for high blood pressure. She then offered to show me the sheet where she had been recording her blood sugar values and blood pressure readings. The blood sugar readings were not horrible but were definitely too high. A hemoglobin A1C was not available. Of real concern were her recent blood pressure readings with frequent diastolic pressures in the 90s and on occasion in excess of 100 mm/hg. Her systolic readings were in the 140-upper 160 range (1). I reiterated to the patient that trying to manage her diabetes and blood pressure without medications definitely had some advantages and was a goal to shoot for down the road Continue reading >>

Can I Treat Diabetes Without Drugs?

If you have type 1 diabetes, you must take daily insulin injections to keep your blood glucose in a normal range. Your body produces little or no insulin. Insulin is a vital hormone that helps your body convert food into energy. Without insulin, you would die. If you have type 2 diabetes, the answer to this question is much less clear. Many people can keep their blood glucose in a healthy range without medications (either oral diabetes medications or insulin injections) if they lose weight and keep their weight down, are regularly physically active, and follow a meal plan that helps them keep portion sizes under control and helps them spread the amount of carbohydrate they eat at each meal throughout the day. Eventually, however, many people with type 2 diabetes find that despite their best efforts, weight control, exercise and diet aren't enough to keep their blood glucose in a healthy range. This is not unusual. One theory is that some people's insulin-producing cells just get tired out from having to produce more and more insulin because their cells are resistant to the effects of insulin. If your healthcare team tells you that you need to take oral diabetes medications or insulin injections to manage your blood glucose, it's important that you follow their instructions. Keeping your blood glucose in a healthy range is key to preventing long-term complications, such as eye disease, kidney disease, heart attacks, and other problems that poorly controlled blood glucose can cause over a period of years. Continue reading >>

Diabetes: A Battle For Control

Simply put, diabetes is a contest between people and their blood. For people whose bodies don't produce enough insulin to manage their blood sugar, the goal is a normal blood score, achieved through a balancing act of lifestyle and medication. "Eventually most patients will follow a course of lifestyle, medications, then insulin," said Dr. Enrico Cagliero, referring to people diagnosed with the most common form of diabetes, known as Type 2. He's an endocrinologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. "Overall about 30% of all diabetics are on insulin, but, given the progressive nature of the disease, close to 60% can expect to be on it eventually." To buck that trend, some of these diabetics, with the help of physicians who share their mission, are adopting rigorous diet and exercise regimens to get off insulin, or never have to go on it. Unlike Type 1 diabetics, who have no choice but to take insulin, Type 2 diabetics still produce some of the hormone -- and more than a few are determined to make the most of it. Dr. Wei-An "Andy" Lee, an endocrinologist and assistant professor at USC's Keck School of Medicine, is a firm supporter of this approach. He's among a handful of physicians using radical lifestyle changes to get insulin-dependent patients off insulin. "I wish more doctors and patients would not assume insulin injections are their only option," he said. "I don't see why more don't give lifestyle a try. It's better for the patient, costs less than medications or surgery, and is better for the country." Newer non-insulin medications, specifically ones that boost incretins (hormones found in the digestive tract), along with strict diets can help patients actually reverse their disease and ditch the insulin Continue reading >>

Home Remedies For Diabetes

Diabetes, also called diabetes mellitus, has become a very common heath problem. There are two main types of diabetes- type 1 diabetes in which the body does not produce insulin and type 2 diabetes in which the body does not produce enough insulin or the insulin that is produced does not work properly. Some of the common symptoms of diabetes include fatigue, weight loss (even though you are eating more), excessive thirst, increased urination, cut and bruises that are slow to heal and blurred vision. While there is no cure for diabetes, with your blood sugar level under control you can live a totally normal life. There are various natural remedies for diabetes that will help you control your blood sugar level. Here are the top 10 home remedies for diabetes. Needless to say, you also need to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. (Out of the 10, we have covered 3 highly effective home remedies in this video as well.) 1. Bitter Gourd Bitter gourd, also known as bitter melon, can be helpful for controlling diabetes due to its blood glucose lowering effects. It tends to influence the glucose metabolism all over your body rather than a particular organ or tissue. It helps increase pancreatic insulin secretion and prevents insulin resistance. Thus, bitter gourd is beneficial for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, it cannot be used to entirely replace insulin treatment. Drink some bitter gourd juice on an empty stomach each morning. First remove the seeds of two to three bitter gourds and use a juicer to extract the juice. Add some water and then drink it. Follow this treatment daily in the morning for at least two months. Also, you can include one dish made of bitter gourd daily in your diet. 2. Cinnamon Powdered cinnamon has the ability to lower blood sug Continue reading >>