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.

Onions may not be beneficial to the treatment of diabetes but contains compounds that are extremely beneficial to eye health and may help diabetics keep their eyesight.

Grapeseed extract contains flavonoids and offers the same benefits as Bilberry.

There are a lot of foods you can eat that have been shown to have hypoglycemic abilities. These foods include, artichokes, bananas, barley, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, oats, peas, spinach, sweet potatoes, and turnips. Foods rich in fiber such as barley, carrots, oats, legumes, beans, onions, peas, and lentils have been shown to improve blood glucose control.

Diabetes is a serious medical condition and should be treated by a licensed physician. I am not a leading authority on this condition. Diabetes has been in my family for many years but that does not in any way make me an expert. This article is simply to inform patients of natural substances that may help alleviate some of their symptoms. They should be used under the advice of a physician and in conjunction with the current medications that your doctor has prescribed.