Overview
Our lifestyle has drastically changed over the years. This lifestyle change has brought along with it a number of health problems and diseases. Today, one of the most common diseases that people are diagnosed with is Diabetes (also known as Diabetes Mellitus). Diabetes is characterized by increased levels of blood sugar in the body. This occurs due to the very low production of insulin in the body or due to the body’s inability to make use of the insulin that is produced. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that is responsible for keeping blood glucose levels under control.
There are two types of Diabetes. Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes (earlier known as insulin-dependent diabetes and non-insulin dependent diabetes). Type 1 diabetes destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called the beta cells. In this kind of diabetes, there is no insulin produced in your body resulting in an uncontrollable increase of blood sugar levels. Type 2 Diabetes is a metabolic syndrome that affects the muscle and fat tissue cells and results in insulin resistance. This means that the body is not able to use the insulin that is produced within.
Some major factors that are responsible for landing us into this diabetic condition are: being overweight or obese, a sedentary lifestyle, the role of genes, hypertension, high consumption of junk and processed foods, and the presence of high levels of bad cholesterol in the body. Diabetes may also arise from medical conditions, medications or hormonal imbalances. Women may also face short term diabetes during pregnancy.
It is very difficult to detect diabetes in its early stages. This is because in the early stages of Diabetes the symptoms are not much noticeable. But it is very essential to treat and cure diabetes in the beginning stages as it can get chronic and eventually be fatal as time passes. Some of the most common symptoms found in type 1 and type 2 diabetes are intense thirst, sudden weight loss, frequent hunger pangs, fatigue, vomiting and nausea, frequent urination, sudden outbreaks, and other skin problems, wounds take longer to heal, numbness in the feet, infections, and sudden blindness.
Most people neglect the symptoms in the initial stages and also don’t follow the basic checkups that they ought to get done once in a while. It is always the best practice to check the average blood glucose level once or twice a year. You can manage the diabetic condition using medications and making some modifications to your lifestyle. There are also several supplements that are available in the market. But one needs to be extremely careful while choosing supplements or pills as it may have side effects that are hidden and can adversely harm your health.
The Halki Diabetes Remedy is a program that is introduced as a solution to type 2 diabetes. The program claims that toxins, that is literally found everywhere (the air we breathe, the food we eat, even within our home), is the root cause of type 2 diabetes and they focus on combating these toxins so that you can repair your body as well as reverse the effects of diabetes in your body. In the Halki Diabetes Remedy, you need not take any pills or medication or face any kind of side effects. All you have to do is to follow the diet and remedies as provided. The Halki Diabetes Remedy consists of several meals, recipes of each meal, and workouts that you need to follow, all of which help you get control over your blood sugar. The remedy also consists of detox tea recipes and salads all of which are very easy to prepare and follow.
Now let us move onto some of the home remedies that you can try for treating type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Home Remedies For Managing Diabetes
- Cinnamon
Cinnamon has high medicinal properties. Cinnamon helps in lowering cholesterol and keeping the blood sugar levels under check (1). It contains antioxidants that help with weight loss. It is to be kept in mind that cinnamon must be taken in moderate amounts only. Excessive use of cinnamon might damage the liver.
What You Need:
- Cinnamon Powder / Raw Cinnamon
- Warm Water
How To Prepare:
There are two methods that you can follow to prepare a drink using cinnamon that will do wonders for your blood sugar levels.
- Take a tablespoon of cinnamon powder and one glass of warm water. Mix them well. Have the mixture once a day.
- Another alternative is to add raw cinnamon to water and boil them. Let the cinnamon water cool for almost half an hour before you consume it. You can have this cinnamon water once a day.
How Often:
Daily (until your blood sugar levels get under control).
- Bitter Gourd Juice
Bitter Gourd is one of the best options available that can control diabetes. It helps in regulating the blood sugar levels by making the insulin active.
What You Need:
- Bitter Gourd
- Water
- Lemon Juice
- Salt
- Honey (Optional)
How To Prepare:
Take a medium-sized bitter gourd and peel it well. Once the peeling is done, slice it from the centre. The next step is to remove the flesh and the seeds of the bitter gourd. Cut the sliced bitter gourd into small pieces and soak them in water for around half an hour. Remove the chopped pieces and add them to a blender. Add half teaspoon of salt and lemon juice to the chopped pieces and blend them well. Pour the mixture into a glass.
Note: You can add honey or jaggery to the drink to reduce the bitterness of the bitter gourd. You can also have the drink along with sweet fruits like apples or pears. Ginger and black pepper can also help you to remove the bitterness of the bitter gourd drink.
How Often:
Daily (until your diabetes subsides or gets under control).
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar contains amino acids, antioxidants and acetic acid (the active ingredient). The acetic acid has the potential to destroy harmful bacterias and to prevent them from flourishing (2). This vinegar is proven to have several benefits including improved insulin function and lowering the blood sugar levels.
What You Need:
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Water
How To Prepare:
Apple Cider Vinegar can be either used as salad dressings or as a healthy drink. Follow as given to make the best use of Apple Cider Vinegar.
- Add a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar on the salad and mix it well.
- Take 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar in about 2 liters of water. Mix them well and you have a perfectly healthy drink that can control your blood sugar levels. This healthy drink is best to be consumed before meals.
How Often:
Daily (until your blood glucose level gets under control).
Note: If you are under any kind of medication, then it is advisable that you consult your physician before consuming apple cider vinegar to avoid any complications.
- Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek Seeds have several medicinal properties and are also rich in fibre. These seeds are responsible for improving the way our body uses sugar and also improves insulin secretion (3, 4). Fenugreek can be consumed as Fenugreek tea, in powdered form or as supplements.
What You Need:
- Fenugreek Seeds/ Fenugreek Powder
How To Use:
- Soak the Fenugreek Seeds overnight. Drain them and consume on an empty stomach.
- You can also prepare a healthy drink using fenugreek powder. In a glass of warm water, add half a teaspoon of fenugreek powder. Mix them well and consume it.
How Often:
Daily.
- Garlic
Garlic is a great remedy for controlling blood sugar levels. Studies show that garlic offers a lot of health benefits in the treatment of the metabolic syndrome.
What You Need:
- Garlic
How To Use:
Garlic can be either eaten raw, used in salads, or used while cooking meals. It is always suggested to eat the garlic raw and fresh or to be used in salads. This is because the garlic may lose some of its therapeutic properties while cooking. Finely chop the Garlic and add it to the salads or in your diet. Always remember to consume Garlic in moderate amounts.
How Often:
Daily (In moderate amounts).
Conclusion
Though diabetes is not completely curable, you can reverse diabetes by following specific diets, workouts, and medications. Also, keep in mind to not consume some food items that can worsen this metabolic syndrome. Prevention is always better than cure. So it’s better to start making changes right now than wait for the metabolic syndrome and repent on it. Start making small lifestyle changes and you will only be benefitted by it.
You can also reduce your blood glucose levels by inculcating a few changes in your lifestyle.
- Regular Workouts – Workouts need not necessarily be heavy exercises. You can also go for 30 to 45 minutes long walks. The main motive is to change the sedentary lifestyle and do something that gets you moving in order to help you lose weight which in turn helps in increasing insulin sensitivity.
- Reduce the intake of Carbs – Carbs are responsible for increasing the blood sugar levels as our body breaks it down into sugars and the insulin stores it in the cells making the diabetic condition worse.
- Stay Hydrated – Always remember to drink enough water and stay hydrated as it plays a very important role in controlling the blood sugar levels.
- Measure calorie intake – It is always better to keep a count of calorie intake. Keep in mind not to overeat as it can result in gaining weight and unwanted calories. Keeping a food journal also helps you in keeping your weight under control and eventually helps you in fighting diabetes.
- Get proper sleep – You need a minimum of seven hours of sleep for good health. Insufficient and disrupted sleep can lead to increased appetite which results in weight gain. Which again leads to diabetes.
- Include fiber in your diet – Soluble fiber showed excellent results in lowering blood sugar levels. Men and women are recommended to consume 38 grams and 25 grams respectively.
The above were just a few lifestyle changes that can help you control blood glucose levels. The above-provided remedies showed the best results for those who had diabetes without any other complications. But in case you are under heavy medications or if your health condition is a bit complicated, it is best advised to consult a doctor before following any of these home remedies.