6 Natural Ways to Lower your Blood Sugar

People suffering from diseases that stem from or are related to high blood sugar are increasing. Diabetes is one of the most prominent of these diseases.

There are many ways to lower blood sugar levels. These methods include diets that lower carbohydrate intake, taking blood-sugar-lowering medication, and increasing physical activity.

Another way to lower blood sugar levels is through natural substances. These natural substances can help improve blood sugar levels through more natural means.

1. Vanadium

Vanadium is a micronutrient that is suspected to help with blood sugar levels. Research is still being conducted, but right now the results are mixed.

Scientists have discovered that vanadium can mimic insulin activity. Insulin is essential to helping cells absorb glucose. Insulin transports glucose (blood sugar) into cells throughout the body. High blood sugar is often the result of a lowered sensitivity to insulin. This lowered sensitivity can lead to a lower production of insulin.

Hopefully, research does prove vanadium is helpful to lowering blood sugar levels!

2. Ginseng

Like vanadium, ginseng is a natural herb with suspected benefits. Ginseng is part of traditional eastern medicine and was used for stress relief and boosting energy among other things.

Ginseng is suspected to improve pancreas function, boost insulin production, and enhance blood sugar absorption in cells. Research has seen ginseng improve blood sugar levels in some studies, but not in some. This could be due to the nature of the various studies.

3. Cinnamon

Although the jury is still out on cinnamon, many health professionals suggest using caution with cinnamon consumption if you are taking diabetes medication or blood sugar supplements. So, cinnamon has more potential effect on blood sugar than the previous two herbs.

Like vanadium, cinnamon is thought to mimic insulin activity. In fact, several studies have shown cinnamon, if taken immediately after a meal, can help lower blood sugar levels, thus reducing the insulin spike that occurs when food is consumed.

4. Gymnema

Now we reach the first natural herb that is used to aid diabetes treatments. Gymnema is used as a complementary treatment for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It is used to lower blood sugar, lower LDL cholesterol (bad version), and stimulate the pancreas’s release of insulin.

However, none of these benefits are proven yet.

What has been proven is gymnema helps suppress sweetness. If gymnema is consumed before you partake of a sugary drink or food, it will block the taste buds that are sugar receptors. This will help you crave sugar less and prevent you from overeating.

5. Bitter Melon

The bitter melon really is the most bitter of the all the fruits. Though, it tastes bitter, the fruit is full of good elements! It is full of vitamins and minerals, and it has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.

The bitter melon is believed to aid in lowering blood sugar levels. Like vanadium and cinnamon, bitter melon acts similarly to insulin. Because of this bitter melon improve glucose tolerance and suppresses blood sugar levels after a meal.

6. Chromium

Unlike, all the other blood-sugar-lowering herbs and fruit, chromium is a trace element. An essential one, in fact. Chromium is needed in very small amounts and is commonly found in many fruits and vegetables. We easily have enough chromium in our diets.

Though, studies are still mixed as to the benefit of chromium, it is suspected to have the most benefit of all the natural substances on this list. Chromium is suspected to enhance the role of insulin, support a healthy metabolism, and increase storage for nutrients in the body.

This storage of nutrients is also helpful when it comes to blood sugar levels. Any excess glucose is transported to the liver, where is it is converted into glycogen. When the body needs energy throughout the day, the body tells the liver to convert glycogen back to glucose. Chromium may enhance the liver’s ability to story glycogen meaning there should be less glucose in the bloodstream between meal times.

Be sure to consult a doctor before taking any of these natural substances, especially if you are already taking blood-sugar-lowering medication.

References

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