MAILBAG! Ditch Drugs and Beat Diabetes NATURALLY?!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted August 30, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
“Are there any supplements that work as well as medication for diabetes?”
— Anne from Greensboro, North Carolina
Hi Anne,
To be honest, finding a natural solution that works as well as a diabetes drug isn’t all that hard. And that’s simply because so many of those drugs aren’t effective. Even worse, they can come with horrible side effects.
In fact, there are stacks of studies on my desk right now that have titles that say something like, “Natural medicine X is just as effective as Drug Y.”
This isn’t always the case, of course. In some situations, the best treatment IS going to be a medication. But when the goal is to tame blood sugar, the natural route is often the best one.
Keep in mind that natural diabetes solutions can often be VERY effective. However, if you’re not careful, combining them with medications could lower blood sugar levels too far.
That’s why it’s critical to consult with your doctor BEFORE making any changes to your treatment plan.
But with that in mind, that ARE some natural ways to get better blood sugar control. Following are a few I have found to be the most effective.
- Diet: Better blood sugar control always STARTS with diet. Cut out as much sugar as you can. Tossing sodas and sweets into the trash is obvious. But also look for hidden sources of sugar like empty refined carbs (such as white bread and rice cakes). Instead, focus on eating more unprocessed (or lightly processed) proteins and vegetables.
- EASY Exercise: Many folks find it hard to fit in a formal exercise routine. But “easy exercise” is something anyone can do. Look for opportunities to sneak extra movement into your day with little extra effort. For example, take the stairs, walk to do your errands, and stand during television commercials. Then find something active and fun you LIKE to do. Maybe it’s square dancing, gardening, or swimming. The activity doesn’t matter. As long as it gets you moving, it can help control your blood sugar.
- Weight Control: One of the best ways to get diabetes under control is to maintain a healthy weight. There are many ways to drop a few pounds, but I typically encourage starting with getting blood sugar under control, reducing inflammation, and giving your metabolism a kick. There are three supplements that I often recommend that can help with those.
- Supplements: In the West, cinnamon is often accompanied by sugar and sprinkled onto toast or added to sweetened pumpkin spice coffee. But it’s actually a potent herb that can be a powerful weapon against high blood sugar. Cinnamon can imitate the action of insulin, helping to move glucose out of your bloodstream and into your cells. Concentrated cinnamon extracts and supplements are easy to find and affordable.
The herb turmeric is a traditional Indian spice that contains a potent compound called curcumin. Curcumin is naturally anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory. The spice extract helps to reduce insulin resistance allowing glucose to enter the cells effectively. You can add more turmeric to your meals or look for a turmeric or curcumin supplement.
As the name implies, olive leaf extract comes from the leaves of the olive plant. The herb can help improve insulin secretion in cells, naturally reducing excess blood sugar.
Natural medicine has much to offer when managing diabetes and high blood sugar. Work with your doctor on a plan to try some of these natural approaches. Eventually, they may help you be able to wean off of the drugs entirely.
P.S. Did you know working muscles are blood-sugar-burning MACHINES? More muscle increases insulin sensitivity clearing excess glucose from your bloodstream. Discover the secret to fighting muscle loss in your senior years RIGHT HERE.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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