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.
View More Free Articles
Losing Your Locks? The SURPRISING Solution
There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Losing your hair sucks. The hit to your self-esteem is no joke. You might even find yourself avoiding mirrors and hoarding hats. The treatment options are limited, often come with a laundry list of side effects, and deliver results that are about as predictable as a coin flip. It’s...
REAL Drug-Free Back Pain Relief
Recently, I’ve had several exasperated people ask me, “Is back pain something I just have to live with?” I battled chronic back pain for years, so I completely understand why some folks feel so hopeless about finding relief. In fact, I used to think I was doomed to a life of pain and limitations, too....
Mailbag: When to Worry About Memory Lapses
“I’ve been experiencing some memory lapses recently, and I’m worried it might be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. My mother also had it. What symptoms should I look out for?” – Ann Hi Ann, It’s important to recognize that some degree of memory loss is a normal part of life. Our brains constantly process and...
The Unforeseen Link Between Your Gut and Your Waistline
As the weather warms up and summer approaches, many of us start thinking about shedding those extra pounds… We dust off our gym memberships, stock up on salad greens, and vow to finally fit into those shorts from last year. But what if I told you that the key to achieving a healthy weight might...
Defy Aging with the Sunshine Vitamin
If there’s one thing you absolutely must do for your health, it’s to maintain healthy vitamin D levels. I can’t stress this enough. And if you think vitamin D is only good for beefing up your bones, think again. Because while vitamin D is crucial for maintaining healthy bones, recent research has revealed that this...
Detox Your Drinking Water with a Microplastics Purge
We’re surrounded by plastics. They’re everywhere, from the obvious plastic shampoo bottle to the not-so-obvious clothing on our backs. From the moment we get up in the morning until we slide beneath the sheets at night, we are in contact with them. Heck, some bedsheets contain plastic fibers, so you may ALSO be exposed while...
The TRUTH About Word Finding Troubles
Picture this. You’re having a lively conversation with a friend, and suddenly, find yourself grasping for a word that’s just out of reach. You KNOW it’s in there somewhere, hiding in the recesses of your mind. But no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to pin it down. When you have trouble word...
FDA Finally Admits “BANNED” Soda Ingredient is Unsafe
I’m not a soda fan for MANY reasons. I wrote an entire book on the dangers of sugar, for example. And research links soda drinking to fatty liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s. And the diet stuff is no better. Fake-sugar-filled diet sodas cause “metabolic confusion,” and artificial sweeteners are...
Discover WHY We Accidentally Overeat (and How to Stop)
Picture this… You finish eating a nice meal feeling just fine. But then, 20 minutes later, you’re groaning and clutching your belly because you feel uncomfortably stuffed. If this sounds familiar, you’re in good company. Most of us have had this happen. Science reveals why accidental overeating occurs… and what we can do to avoid...
Find Exercise Exhausting and Painful? Try THIS Natural Fix
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: “You need to exercise.” And sure, you know how vital it is to healthy aging. But let’s be honest, sometimes it feels nearly impossible to get moving—especially when you know you’ll be sore for DAYS after. However, hold on to your seat because I’ve...