High blood sugar, or hypergylcemia, is what happens when glucose builds up in the blood instead of being taken into and used by the cells. The condition, a dysfunction of carbohydrate metabolism, is known as diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar damages blood vessels, which in turn may cause kidney damage, heart disease and nerve damage. Regular exercise and a diet high in fiber that includes low fat protein foods, can help diabetics regulate blood sugar. Nutritional remedies may have unpredictable effects and glucose levels should be carefully monitored when using them. Individual foods have not been proven to treat or cure any condition and should not be used as a substitute for regular medical care.
Spices May be Medicines
In a randomized controlled study announced by Experimental Biology in 2006, subjects were given 1, 2, or 3 grams of cloves per day. After 30 days, untreated participants showed no significant changes in blood levels indicating cardiovascular risk factors. For treated subjects, regardless of dose, blood sugar dropped an average of 225 to 150, triglycerides fell from 235 to 203, total cholesterol went from 273 to 239 and LDL was reduced from 175 to 145 in subjects taking cloves. Good cholesterol, or HDL levels, were not affected. Previous studies have suggested that compounds in cloves and cinnamon may decrease insulin resistance in type 2 diabetics. Insulin resistance causes sugar to build up in the blood instead of being used by cells in the fat, muscles and liver.
Animal Studies With Eucalyptus Leaf are Promising
Japanese research suggests that eucalyptus leaf extract may inhibit intestinal absorption of fructose, thereby lowering blood sugar. Scientists gave rats that had been fasting for 16 hours either water or eucalyptus leaf extract before feeding them a sugar solution. In samples taken both centrally and peripherally, blood sugars were significantly lower at 30, 60 and 90 minute intervals among rats given eucalyptus leaf extract than controls. The study, published in the May 2010 "Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition," cites the use of eucalyptus tea in Africa and South America as a traditional remedy for diabetes.
Cucumbers May Protect the Kidneys
Gabriel Cousens, MD, author of There is a Cure for Diabetes, reports using raw cucumbers liberally in his Tree of Life nutritional program for diabetics. Cousens asserts that cucumbers contain a substance needed by the beta cells of the pancreas to produce insulin and that an enzyme in cucumbers may help break down excess protein in the kidneys. The book suggests drinking cucumber juice and adding the vegetable to salads.
Bean Pod Tea and Green Beans May be Beneficial
Nutritionist Phyllis Balch, author of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, recommends bean pod tea made from the pods of kidney, white, navy, lima and great northern beans, for diabetics. Beanpod tea is rich in amino acids tyrosine, tryptophan and arginine, plus the B vitamin choline and betaine, an enzyme. Cousens cautions that the blood sugar lowering effect of bean pod tea may take three months of regular use to become apparent. According to Cousens, the skins of the pods of green beans are very rich in silica and plant hormones that may have insulin-type actions.
Many of these foods should be part of a healthy diet. Diabetes is a serious disease that can be managed, in many cases, with lifestyle modifications. To reduce the risk of complications from high blood sugar, it is important to get regular checkups with a professional healthcare provider.
References:
Experimental Biology, Cloves Improve Glucose, Cholesterol and Triglycerides of People With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Khan A., et. al., 2006
Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, Glycaemic Response to Quality Protein Maize Grits, Panlasigui L., et. al., 2010
Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, Eucalyptus Leaf Extract Suppresses the Postprandial Elevation of Portal, Cardiac and Peripheral Fructose Concentrations after Sucrose Ingestion in Rats, Sugimoto K., et. al., 46(3), 2010
There is a Cure for Diabetes, Gabriel Cousens, M.D., North Atlantic Books, 2008
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Phyllis Balch, CNC, Avery, 2004
Mary Earhart - Mary Earhart, RN, BSN, is a Licensed Midwife. She has written articles for professional journals and grants for non-profit agencies as ...
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