Educate yourself about alternative medical treatments available for specific diseases and conditions. This site is presented to help you research alternative medical treatments, natural and herbal remedies and different ways of thinking about how to solve specific medical problems.  Please read our disclaimer.

Alternative Treatments for Diabetes

Alternative treatments for diabetes have been used by people in other cultures for many years.  Some treatments are very effective for some people.  Others may only work because the patient believes they will work, much like the way placebos sometimes work in medical experiments.  However, we believe that the more you know about the options, the more you will be able to make intelligent, informed decisions about the medical treatment, which may be right for you and your particular medical conditions.  Please read our disclaimer.

About Diabetes

Diabetes is a syndrome that is caused by a disordered metabolism and one in which the blood sugar in a person’s body is abnormally high. The cause diabetes is the lack of sufficient insulin, a hormone that helps to control metabolism and regulate sugars. Thankfully, due to production of insulin, diabetes can be controlled.

However, complications do arise with diabetes and must be carefully managed. Further, diabetes is a highly individualized syndrome, and effects different people in varying manners. As such, personal treatment and monitoring is always essential for the successful treatment and control of diabetes. The common goal, and what home remedies help to do, is to keep blood sugars at what are considered ‘normal levels’ to help control the symptoms of diabetes.

As most diabetics know, one of the most important actions made in an individual’s lifestyle is following a strict diet. The American Diabetic Association (ADA) makes many recommendations, based on a synthesis of medical beliefs regarding the most beneficial approach to foods.
 

Some of the most important features are detailed here:

• Try to avoid what are typically known as ‘junk foods,’ these foods are high in calories and low in nutritional benefit.
   
• Choose non-fat dairy products and avoid the fat and skin of meats.
   
• Eat a wide variety of vegetables and try to incorporate legumes, such as beans and lentils into your diet.
   
• When possible choose whole-grain foods over processed grains, for instance those found in white bread. The inclusion of fiber with these products is also beneficial.
   
• For more information visit the ADA’s website here.
   

Weight loss is a very important component to managing diabetes. Individuals with less body fat are shown to have lowered levels of insulin resistance. Also, as diabetes increases risk of other health complications, a healthy and active body, which is an element of holistic medicine, is increasingly important. Therefore, diabetics should always be conscious of their weight and attempt to control or reduce it as best as possible.

• Try to maintain a regular eating schedule. This habit helps your body to understand how to best react to an intake of food.
   
• Always avoid overeating. Overeating adds calories and does not offer much nutritional benefit. As importantly, overeating can raise blood sugars more easily, regardless of what food is consumed.
   
• Always have a diabetic-friendly snack available, in your car/purse/house/backpack if your blood sugar does fall too low. Having any snack available will be helpful to quickly raise your blood sugar. And if you are very sensitive to glucose, having the right snack will help to ensure you are not forced to compromise your diet for quick relief from low blood sugar.
   
• Some herbal remedies have been shown to help control blood sugar levels. Due to the nature of diabetes and unforeseen complications with treatment, it is recommended that before altering your diet you always contact your dietician or nutritionist.
   
• Leaves of the bilberry bush, basil leaves, and fig tree leaves are all reported to help to reduce blood sugar levels.
   
• Cinnamon, bitter gourds and garlic are also commonly used to help lower
  blood sugar.

Additionally, it is increasingly important to practice good oral hygiene. It’s very important for diabetics to maintain the health of their mouth as increased blood sugar levels increase the likelihood of tooth decay and diseases of the mouth.
 

Have questions about Alternative Treatments?

We recommend that you review the information about physical therapy on this website, look at the alternative medical treatments on the appropriate websites, do your own independent research, talk with your doctor or other medical professional and learn as much as you can before making the decision that is right for you.  We are not qualified to answer medical, behavioral or health related questions, so please do not ask.