According to the CDC’s latest National Diabetes Statistics Report, 11.3% of the US population has diabetes. That is around 37.3 million Americans who are currently having to deal with diabetes. These are alarming numbers. What is more alarming is how rapidly this number seems to be growing over the years.
Diabetes can lead to several health problems. For starters, diabetes increases heart disease risk. People who have diabetes are almost always dealing with heart problems in one way or another. That is why it is often found that heart disease patients have, at some point in their lives, had diabetes.
Diabetes can also impair your vision and damage your nerves. Moreover, due to the increase in blood sugar levels, you are likely to develop kidney problems at some stage if you have diabetes.
Reuters reported that over 100,000 Americans died in 2021 from diabetes. In 2020, the number of deaths due to diabetes was almost similar. We do not want this trend, so it is vital to understand how we can keep this problem as far away from us as possible.
Having said that, let us look into five unique approaches for dealing with diabetes that are guaranteed to work.
Alternate-Day Fasting
Recently, a research paper by a U.S. professor suggests that alternate-day fasting can improve endothelial functions in mice with type-2 diabetes. This paper has managed to turn a few heads. More importantly, it has created the idea that alternate-day fasting can be beneficial when battling diabetes.
Through alternate day fasting, you can lose weight and reduce the risk factors that cause type-2 diabetes. It also regulates insulin levels, which further serves the purpose of battling diabetes. Besides, alternate-day fasting can also help tackle heart disease.
Alternate-day fasting (ADF) is a variation of intermittent fasting. Here, you fast one day and eat whatever you would like the next, preferably something healthy. In doing so, you reduce calorie intake, which allows a more efficient regulation of insulin levels.
Herbs and Supplements
Herbs and supplements work to lower your blood sugar levels. In doing so, they provide numerous health benefits as well as protect you from diabetes.
Rosemary is one such herb that helps balance blood sugar levels and also fights cholesterol. This way, the herb promotes weight loss and allows you to maintain a healthy body weight.
Like rosemary, sage has a similar impact. It, too, lowers your blood sugar levels like rosemary and has a significant impact when you consume it on an empty stomach.
Oregano, aloe vera and ginger have similar blood sugar-combating properties. These natural herbs have been used for centuries to deal with many health problems, including diabetes. Even in an age where medical science is at its best, people frequently go back to these herbs when seeking natural means to deal with diabetes.
Supplements mimic the effects of these herbs when dealing with diabetes. They release chemicals that either neutralize high sugar levels or prevent carbs from turning into sugar which might increase blood sugar levels.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture only has one job: to create stimulation in the central nervous system. In doing so, the procedure helps release various chemicals into your brain, muscles and spinal cord. These chemicals, in turn, stimulate your body’s natural healing capabilities, promoting healthy physical and mental well-being.
Acupuncture has been used in the past to treat diabetes naturally. To this day, it is still used in many parts of the world as a natural cure for this health problem.
Through acupuncture, you can manage your blood sugar levels and lose weight too. Because of that, it becomes easier to manage your diabetes.
Besides, acupuncture helps protect your pancreas’ islet function. Doing so helps maintain insulin production, which is vital for dealing with blood sugar levels. Acupuncture also helps ensure hormonal balance through which maintaining your blood sugar levels becomes less difficult.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is used for many purposes. In many cases, it is used as a way to help people relax. That is why aromatherapy is widely used in spas as well as in hospitals. Through aromatherapy, it is possible to provide pain relief, improve mood and create a relaxing environment.
However, did you know that aromatherapy can also be used in battling diabetes?
Aromatherapy uses the properties of essential oils to work its magic. The same essential oils can provide temporary relief from diabetes-related issues.
For instance, lemon balm, coriander seed and black seed are widely used as essential oils in aromatherapy. These extracts can somewhat help maintain blood sugar levels. In doing so, they help you deal with diabetes.
However, aromatherapy can never be used as an alternative to medical care. It is merely a way to provide temporary relief.
Yoga
Doing yoga for 20-30 minutes each day can improve your nerve condition. It further helps improve your metabolism, balance hormone and glucose levels and boost your strength and balance. Besides, practicing yoga daily can enhance your flexibility, which means you do not have to worry about hurting yourself while doing various physical tasks or exercises.
Yoga also helps battle diabetes. You can increase the number of insulin receptors in your body through yoga. That, in turn, improves insulin kinetics and reduces insulin levels.
As these alterations take place, anyone with diabetes will have their blood sugar levels lowered. As long as you continue yoga, you will see significant improvements in your health and blood sugar levels.
Conclusion
Diabetes is a problem many people are dealing with today, and many more have to at some point in their lives. However, it is not something they have to live with for the rest of their life.
Studying the points mentioned above, it is evident that battling diabetes need not be so hard. Fasting, aromatherapy, yoga, acupuncture, herbs and supplements are all widely available methods and treatments that can help battle diabetes. What is more interesting is that most of these methods are natural.
Therefore, there is no need to worry if you have diabetes. With the right approach, it is possible to deal with it effectively.