Being diagnosed with diabetes brings to mind a lifetime of shots and possible physical ramifications. Without proper care diabetics can lose their eyesight, limbs and of course, life. Proper attention to diet is one of the most important aspects of long-term diabetic care and in many cases even provides a holistic cure to re-establish the body's balance.
Diet
Diet is the focus of all diabetic cures because it is a processing imbalance in the system, often brought on in the adult onset type of the disease by improper diet to begin with. Diet in all types of diabetes helps control the levels of sugar in the blood naturally so that artificial medicines can be reduced or hopefully eliminated completely.
Types of Food
Most foods release some sort of sugar into the blood stream. The key is to choose foods that have as low a level of sugar as possible, and that release sugar slowly. Diets should focus on proteins and foods that contain natural sugar and complex carbohydrates like fruits in moderation, and as many vegetables as possible. Foods that contain simple carbohydrates should be eliminated or eaten sparingly because they release sugar into the blood stream, quickly causing a spike in blood sugar that the body cannot create enough insulin to compensate for.
Herbs
Certain herbs added to the diet can help combat the sugar resistance and low insulin levels of the body. Fenugreek helps reduce blood sugar levels while fasting and encourages the release of what insulin the body does create naturally. Prickly pear cactus creates a lower blood sugar level and promotes a more effective use of the body's natural insulin. Cinnamon contains minerals that help the body fight insulin resistance. Ginseng, onion, garlic and gurmar are also beneficial herbs for individuals fighting diabetes.
Getting Started
Each individual on diabetic medications is going to need to approach the beginning of a holistic cure differently. Those just beginning and asked to attempt to control their blood sugar through diet are in the best position to begin. Patients on large doses of daily insulin should start slowly and carefully monitor their blood sugar levels and consult with their doctors to keep track of their insulin needs as their bodies adjust. Quickly changing, even for the better, can have disastrous results for an unmonitored patient.
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