These herbs can help lower your diabetes blood sugar levels, along with your meds

From miamiherald.com

By Sheah Rarback MS, RDN

When I would give lectures on diabetes, I would ask the audience to raise their hand if they had a family member with diabetes. Almost everyone, including myself, would raise their hands. Not surprising, since about 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes, or about 37 million people. About 5 to 10% of people with diabetes have type 1, which is treated with insulin. Recent federal legislation has capped the cost of insulin, making treatment more affordable.

Lifestyle and diet changes are often the first line of treatment for type 2 diabetes. When that isn’t sufficient for controlling blood glucose levels, medications are prescribed. In fact, one category of injectable medication for diabetes, which promotes weight loss, is sweeping the country. Today, I want to review herbal supplements that can be added to diabetes management. A recent research study in Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews published the results of a meta-analysis of articles that have studied herbs and diabetes. Only randomized controlled trials in English, which looked at how different herbs impacted blood glucose levels, were included.

Cinnamon, along with apple cider vinegar, fenugreek seeds and curcumin were shown in medical studies to lower fasting blood sugar levels for diabetes patients. DREAMSTIME TNS

A total of 44 trials covering 3,130 participants met the criteria. The herbs included in the studies were cinnamon, ginger, apple cider vinegar, curcumin and fenugreek seeds. Fasting blood sugar(FBS) is your blood glucose level following an overnight fast. Haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) is a blood test that measures average blood sugar levels over the past three months. Apple cider vinegar, fenugreek seeds, curcumin and cinnamon were shown to significantly lower fasting blood sugar levels. Apple cider vinegar and fenugreek seeds were most effective in lowering HbA1C levels.

So here is the evidence that supplements can have a good impact on blood glucose levels. They can be used to complement or enhance, not replace, diabetes treatments prescribed by your physician and registered dietitian. And even if it is over the counter or from a grocery store, be sure to discuss all supplements with your physician.

https://www.miamiherald.com/living/health-fitness/article279376764.html