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Beating Diabetes

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Blood sugar disorders are one of the most prevalent and threatening health issues we face today.  Diabetes affects over 2.4 million Canadians, and an estimated six million more are at high risk with pre-diabetes.  The quality of our diet is a major determining factor in the development of the most common form of this illness, Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90 to 95 percent of diabetes cases.  Given the overwhelming amount of products with refined sugar and high glycemic-index foods available to us, staying out of blood sugar trouble can be a challenge. There are, however, a multitude of herbal and nutritional strategies that can be of great therapeutic and protective value against elevated blood sugar.

One particularly noteworthy herb is cinnamon.  Prized since ancient times for its exotic flavour, modern science is discovering that cinnamon’s health benefits are quite profound – particularly when it comes to regulating blood sugar and supporting healthy weight management.  In an August 2000 study from the Agricultural Research Unit in Maryland, researchers found that cinnamon rekindled the ability of fat cells in diabetics to respond to insulin, and greatly increased glucose removal.  Cinnamon, it was discovered, has insulin-like activity, and scientists now believe that it can even potentiate the activity of insulin in the body.  In a 2003 study from Pakistan, Type 2 diabetics who consumed cinnamon capsules with their meals for 40 days not only demonstrated significantly lower fasting glucose levels than those in the placebo group, but they also had significantly lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or bad) cholesterol and triglyceride counts.  By aiding the body’s ability to utilize glucose efficiently, cinnamon also supports a healthy body weight, since excess glucose in the bloodstream ends up being stored as fat, contributing to obesity in both diabetics and the general population.   For best results, use supercritically-extracted cinnamon. This unique extraction process yields a highly concentrated, superior herbal extract of the highest purity and potency, all without the use of chemical solvents. 

Another valuable herb for blood sugar regulation is holy basil (Ocimum sanctum).  Revered as “Tulsi” or “The Incomparable One” in Ayurvedic medicine, holy basil helps to modulate levels of the stress hormone cortisol, elevated levels of which create a rise in blood sugar (excess cortisol is also associated with weight gain around the midsection). Since stress is an inescapable part of life, this adaptogenic herb can prove invaluable for people struggling with elevated cortisol and blood sugar levels.  Again, look for supercritically-extracted holy basil to deliver the optimal benefits of this special herb as part of your everyday program. 

In terms of specific nutrients, one mineral stands out as being particularly important for blood sugar regulation: chromium.  An essential mineral for glucose metabolism and blood sugar balance, chromium is a required cofactor for all of the actions of insulin.  Unfortunately, due to the overabundance of processed foods in the modern-day diet, chromium deficiency is widespread, translating to an increase in the prevalence of blood sugar disorders.  For optimal bioavailability, one should choose a probiotically-cultured, whole-food chromium complex.

Fibre consumption is also important.  Fibre slows the digestion of foods, which can help blunt the sudden spikes in blood glucose that may occur after a low-fibre meal. Such blood sugar spikes stimulate the pancreas to pump out more insulin, contributing to insulin resistance and diabetes in the long run.  The cholesterol-lowering effect of soluble fibre can also help those with diabetes by reducing heart disease risks.  Some of the best sources of fibre are sprouted chia and flax seeds, because they deliver the added bonus of high omega-3 content, which supports the healthy functioning of cell membranes and reduces insulin resistance.  Sprouting improves the ratio of soluble to insoluble fibre and unlocks the full nutritional potential of the seeds, removing enzyme inhibitors and allowing for greater nutrient absorption.

Fat also slows the release of glucose into the bloodstream.  Diabetics are advised to limit saturated fat intake, but there is one exception: coconut oil, which consists of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) that are burned for energy rather than stored as fat. Not only does coconut oil not contribute to diabetes, but it helps regulate and stabilize blood sugar, thus lessening the effects of the disease.  The Nauru people of the South Pacific islands consumed large amounts of coconut oil for many generations without ever encountering diabetes, but when they abandoned it for Western foods and oils, their diabetes rates skyrocketed.  Similarly, the Journal of the Indian Medical Association has reported that Type 2 diabetes in India has increased as the people have abandoned traditional oils, like coconut oil, in favour of vegetable oils.  The authors recommend increasing coconut oil consumption as a means of preventing diabetes.  

As diabetes and obesity rates continue to increase at an alarming rate, the need for healthy blood sugar balance is becoming more and more apparent.   Although the dietary pitfalls are many, consuming the right herbs and nutrients along with fibre-rich foods and healthy oils can have dramatic therapeutic and preventative benefits. 

 

Joel Thuna & Claude Gallant
~ Joel Thuna MH, is a master herbalist with over 30 years of experience. Claude Gallant holds a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Calgary.


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