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The herbs and spring detox that help fight diabetes
Our bodies evolved by developing sophisticated mechanisms that help us adapt to changes in diet, lifestyle and the environment. But what happens when too many negative influences impact our health all at once?
Unhealthy foods, an overload of environmental toxins and a sedentary lifestyle can challenge our health so overwhelmingly, the body can’t adapt well enough.
Our complex biological mechanisms can start to misfire, and we have trouble maintaining the biochemical balance needed for optimal health. As a result, a number of chronic illnesses can start to develop. Diabetes is a classic example.
I will explain the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes in just a moment. But first, let’s look the main problem in both types of diabetes: how the body responds to food.
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Diabetes: Causes And Effects
Normally, when we eat, cells in our pancreas (beta cells) detect glucose (blood sugar) and release insulin, which tells other cells to ingest the glucose from the blood. This provides energy for cells and keeps circulating blood sugar at healthy levels. An overabundance of sugar in the bloodstream damages blood vessels and wreaks havoc on organs and tissues, potentially leading to eye problems, kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, nerve damage and many other serious conditions.
People develop diabetes when their bodies lose the ability to properly handle blood sugar. In type 1 diabetes, once called juvenile diabetes, an autoimmune response destroys pancreatic beta cells, though we don’t entirely understand why. However, as a result, insulin is no longer released, cells don’t get the message to take in glucose and blood sugar accumulates to toxic levels. Type 1 diabetes was generally fatal until injectable insulin was developed.
Type 2 diabetes is a bit more complicated. Cells gradually lose their ability to respond to insulin, causing toxic levels of glucose to accumulate in the bloodstream. This gradual loss can be caused by age, obesity or other issues such as overconsumption of high-sugar foods. As blood sugar accumulates, pancreatic cells have to work harder to produce more insulin. The condition gradually escalates: Cells become more insulin-resistant; glucose accumulates in the bloodstream; and the pancreas produces more insulin to compensate. Eventually, pancreatic beta cells burn out and the condition can become more like type 1 diabetes, in which no insulin is produced at all.
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Metabolic Syndrome
So far, there’s not much that can be done to prevent type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a different story. It takes a long time to develop type 2 diabetes and it’s often preceded by a condition called metabolic syndrome, which comes with a laundry list of warning symptoms:
- Excess belly fat.
- Too much bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides and too little good cholesterol (HDL).
- Inflammation.
- High blood pressure.
- Excessive blood clotting and poor circulation.
- Initial insulin resistance.
- Elevated fasting blood glucose.
If many of these warning signs look familiar, it’s because they are also associated with cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome’s close-knit relative. However, these conditions are controllable and even reversible, with a healthy diet, supplementation and lifestyle changes.
Spring Cleaning With Diet And Exercise
Perhaps the greatest contributor to metabolic syndrome, and ultimately type 2 diabetes, is being overweight. Multiple studies have made the correlation between excess weight and poor sugar metabolism, especially belly fat around your midsection. This type of vat, visceral fat, is the most dangerous type of fat. It surrounds your inner organs and can be a big contributor to metabolic dysfunction. In this case, the age-old approach may be the best at fighting the disease: Increase activity and emphasize a healthy diet.
The spring season is a great time of year to detox our diets and emphasize clean eating: Consume mainly fresh vegetables, minimal fruits (berries are excellent choices with their high antioxidant content), lean protein, extra fiber, sprouted grains and legumes, and healthy fats, including nuts, seeds and avocados.
For people with concerns about diabetes, metabolic syndrome or weight, it’s critical to emphasize low-sugar foods that are low on the glycemic index. This index measures the amount of time specific foods take to break down into glucose. The faster they’re metabolized, the quicker blood sugar ticks up — something you want to avoid. Find foods that are low on the glycemic index scale and won’t cause blood sugar to spike and crash. Good choices include high-fiber vegetables, sprouted whole grains and legumes and lean protein. Avoid foods like sugary cereals, high-sugar fruits, white enriched pastas or bread and white potatoes.
Many studies support this approach. When people eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly, they cut their risk of diabetes in half. In my view, this is the smartest approach and requires no medication. And it’s important to recognize that exercise doesn’t have to mean running a marathon. Simply walking 30 minutes a day has been shown to provide remarkable improvements in metabolic, cardiovascular and overall health.
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The Role Of Stress
Even with a healthy diet and regular exercise, however, our relationship with insulin is still somewhat complicated. While excess weight can lead to insulin resistance, so can mental and emotional stress, as well as environmental toxins and other factors that increase oxidative stress in the body. Again, studies have shown that elevated stress can lead to spikes in insulin production, which can also cause insulin resistance. In addition, stress elevates cortisol levels, which in turn elevate blood sugar.
Embrace methods to fight stress. Exercise, yoga, Tai Chi and meditation are all effective. Find the mode that works best for you and practice diligently.
The Botanical Approach
Traditional Asian medicine is an abundant source of powerful herbal remedies that can help address diabetes and metabolic syndrome from many angles. Here are a few examples:
- Fenugreek: Its seeds contain fiber and protein and are shown to help control glucose levels. This botanical slows carbohydrate absorption and balances production. Studies demonstrate that patients have improved blood sugar control and lower triglyceride levels.
- Holy basil: May support beta cell function and has shown positive results for patients with type 2 diabetes.
- Gymnema leaf: Can improve insulin release and glucose absorption, as well as support beta cell growth. Studies show that patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes experience benefits with gymnema leaf extract.
Even though the number of people with these conditions continues to increase, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes are treatable conditions. And by addressing them with natural solutions, you can benefit numerous other areas of health in the process.
Editor’s note: Are you feeling unusually tired? You may think this is normal aging, but the problem could be your master hormone. When it’s not working, your risk of age-related diseases skyrockets. To reset what many call “the trigger for all disease” and live better, longer, click here to discover The Insulin Factor: How to Repair Your Body’s Master Controller and Conquer Chronic Disease!
By Dr. Isaac Eliaz
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