Manage your diabetes naturally with these simple remedies and tips

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 by: Summer Tierney
Tags: manage diabetes, natural remedies, blood sugar

(NaturalNews) Even what conventional medicine might consider a well-managed case of diabetes can be well off the mark of optimal health. Any person with diabetes can tell you that managing this condition -- whether type 1 or type 2 -- requires a great deal of tenacity and awareness. It's a burden that a healthy body is better equipped to manage, but in people with diabetes, the body has become unable to properly regulate blood sugar which must now be managed "manually". But medical solutions seem more focused on a reactionary approach to blood sugar management, offering little insight or sound advice by way of prevention, than they are on addressing the real problem -- those underlying imbalances that lead to the manifestation of diabetes as a symptom.

If diabetes is just a symptom, then what is the underlying condition?

According to Dr. Larry Wilson, it "always includes" mineral deficiencies, namely zinc, manganese and chromium (and possibly vanadium), and may also be accompanied by "the accumulation of toxic metals in the pancreas and elsewhere, and possibly other imbalances and infections." And so a vision of healing that goes beyond conventional medicine's seemingly near-exclusionary focus on blood sugar appears necessary for any meaningful healing to occur. As such, those people with diabetes who incorporate the following recommendations for more natural management will likely see and experience profound changes for the better.

1. HYDRATE. Poor hydration is a common occurrence in diabetics, as high blood sugars can cause the body to draw water from the body in efforts to flush excess glucose in the blood. This is why frequent urination and excessive thirst often occur in conjunction with diabetes. In some cases, simply hydrating better can actually help to prevent insulin resistance, if not reverse the diabetic condition altogether. Adults should drink at least 3 quarts of spring water or carbon-only filtered tap water each day. Filtered water and reverse osmosis water do not hydrate as well. Caffeinated beverages, alcohol and fruit juices should be avoided, as they contribute to dehydration.

2. REDUCE CARBOHYDRATE INTAKE. If one does nothing else, simply reducing the amount of starchy and carbohydrate-rich foods consumed can do wonders to prevent both fluctuations in blood glucose levels and unwanted weight gain. In fact, weight loss and steadier blood sugar levels are the most likely result. Foods like bread, grains and certain cereals rank high on the Glycemic Index and should be avoided.

3. EAT WHOLE, ORGANIC FOODS Whenever possible, it is always best to choose chemical-free, unprocessed foods. Root, cruciferous and leafy green vegetables provide the most abundant source of minerals -- of which all diabetics need more. Cooking or steaming them breaks down the insoluble fiber, making it easier for the body to absorb essential nutrients, while also activating their healing yang energy. When choosing meats, select those that are free range, wild game and grass fed. When choosing dairy, always go raw. Cheese and yogurt in moderation, especially when made from goat's milk, is ideal.

4. TAKE MINERAL AND VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS. Diabetes is commonly associated with various mineral deficiencies, especially zinc (poor insulin production), manganese (low energy and sweets cravings) and chromium (lack of insulin effectiveness), minerals which are further depleted by consuming carbohydrates. Without the proper intake and absorption of these essential nutrients, our bodies cannot perform the basic functions necessary to sustain life, much less manage blood sugar. While a targeted and nutritional balancing program based on an individual hair mineral analysis (http://drlwilson.com/do%20hair%20analysis.htm) is recommended, people with diabetes may benefit generally from taking high quality food-based supplements of the above minerals, as well as selenium, calcium, magnesium, kelp, B-complex vitamins, vitamins A and D, omega-3 fatty acids and a digestive enzyme.

5. SWEETEN WITH STEVIA. While it is best to avoid all carbohydrates and sugars (including fruit) given their tendency to spike blood sugar, for those with an aching sweet tooth, stevia may provide some plant-based, low-glycemic relief. It's quite sweet but does not disrupt blood glucose levels. As always, growing and preparing your own stevia extract is ideal, but it's probably not realistic for most people. So if you must purchase it, be sure to do your homework and seek out the most organic, least processed brand you can find. Remember to be choosy, as manufacturers often add unnecessary ingredients to their stevia products.

6. SLEEP MORE & STRESS LESS. Too often overlooked is how critical plenty of sleep and rest are to overall health and healing. For those with diabetes, at least 10 hours of rest every night is recommended, as is getting to bed early. A consistent bedtime of 9 p.m. or earlier is ideal to circadian rhythms and can help you get the most of your night's rest. Also important is the reduction of daily stress levels, which can tax the body's adrenal glands causing more sugar to be excreted into the blood. Many people with diabetes sacrifice their own self-care, while pushing themselves forward in an exhaustive lifestyle. This pattern, if not corrected, can lead to even greater health complications.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.soulhealer.com/diabetes.htm

http://drlwilson.com/articles/DIABETES.htm

http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/HEALING%20LIFESTYLE.htm

https://www.naturalnews.com/023728_stevia_sweetener_FDA.html