I was asked a very good question this month about diabetes and your diet.
The question is;
I am a diabetic and I was wondering if there is any natural supplement that can help me with my blood sugar levels?
Answer:
A body afflicted with type II diabetes has difficulty using insulin or simply does not make enough.
Insulin is essential to the body’s biological function, because it transports sugar from the blood to the cells where it can be used to ensure healthy cellular function and provide the body with energy.
When insulin isn’t functioning properly glucose accumulates in the blood and leads to high blood sugar levels.
Yes, there are a few things you can do to help with blood sugar and support your health.
First –
One thing I know is that most folks are consuming non organic food. Because of this, the food is devoid of Chromium.
The mineral chromium is important because it helps transport glucose from blood into muscles.
According to the National Institutes of Health, “Chromium is known to enhance the action of insulin, a hormone critical to the metabolism and storage of carbohydrates, fat, and protein in the body.”[i]
The chemical fertilizers used in industrial farming block the chromium from being uploaded by the plant.
This means people who eat non-organic foods have a greater likelihood of being deficient in this important trace mineral.
This is one of the reasons why organic is always the best choice at the grocery store.
If you take a chromium supplement, make sure it is in a natural form, not a synthetic one.
Synthetic forms of any nutrient can be harmful to the body.[ii]
Therefore, when buying any kind of dietary supplement, look for whole, organic foods in the ingredients list.
You either want to order Chromium GTF or chromium polynicotinate, which is made up of chromium and niacin. The niacin helps chromium absorption. Click here to order one that I recommend. It’s a totally organic, whole food grade supplement. I like the liquid vitamins with the chromium polynicotinate, because it is easy and vitamins and minerals work in harmony with each other and this way they are isolated when you ingest them.
Here is the link to order either one of those supplements.
Second –
Cinnamon is emerging as a true wonder food.
Research shows that cinnamon can help lower blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon contains antioxidants that create healthier arteries and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Cinnamon can also benefit us with increased alertness and energized senses. Even a teaspoon a day helps tame blood sugar levels.
Ceylon cinnamon is the best cinnamon to use. Cassia, Saigon, and Chinese cinnamon contain five percent coumarin, which is problematic for the liver. Ceylon cinnamon has only .0004 percent coumarin.
A good way to add it to your diet is to sprinkle it on your morning toast, oatmeal, or other dishes.
Third –
Healthy fats Omega 3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids our body must obtain from food, because our body doesn’t make it.
Studies show that adding Omega 3’s to your diet also help have healthy blood sugar levels.
Try adding some cold pressed, organic flax or hemp seed oil to your smoothie or foods, like oatmeal chia seed pudding in the morning.
Fourth
Vitamin D is vital for everyone’s health.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, studied the medical information of 124 subjects with type II diabetes that were between the ages of 36 and 89. Of these subjects, only 6 percent took a vitamin D supplement, and, most telling, those with the lowest levels of vitamin D had the highest levels of blood sugar.
You may want to address any possible vitamin D deficiencies.
I take a liquid vitamin that has many of the necessary nutrients in it that my body needs. The liquid form is more absorbable and also the nutrients work in harmony. Here is the link to order those.
I take a whole food, organic, raw vitamin made by Garden Of Life, It’s a multi vitamin with Vitamin D.
They are an excellent vitamin supplement and they have different types for men and women.
For more information Nancy’s book: “Diabetes And Your Diet,”
Winner for “Best Health Book of the Year!” in the International Book Awards 2017-2018. Her book is easy to understand, with has easy recipes, health information and resources. Order it today!
I hope this helps you!
Nancy’s best selling book on health and the plant based diet:
How To Be A Healthy Vegetarian is in Kindle and paperback today.
Great vegetarian nutrition, vegetarian diet, vegetarian recipes and much, much more!
ii Berkeley Wellness Magazine noted that studies on vitamins are usually conducted on only the synthetic forms of vitamins, not on both synthetic and whole-food forms. In my opinion, all studies should use both types to be complete and accurate.
[i] National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Chromium: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet. Retrieved from http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Chromium-HealthProfessional/#h10
[ii] Hendler, SS, & Rorvik, D. (2008). PDR for Nutritional Supplements. (2008). Montvale, NJ: Physicians’ Desk Reference Inc.
Includes the following relevant articles:
Hendler SS, Rorvik D, eds. “PDR for Nutritional Supplements.” Medical Economics. Montvale (NJ), 2001; Shils ME, Olson JA, Shike M. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 9th ed. Williams & Wilkins, Balt., 1999;
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Thiel. “Natural vitamins may be superior to synthetic ones.” Med Hypo, 2000;55(6):461-469.
For more information contact Nancy (at) organic healthy lifestyle.com
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Everyone would love to hear what you think!
Chromium, cinnamon, omega 3’s & vitamin D ….thank you for these great suggestions!
This will be so helpful for my friend. I’m going to forward it to him.