Prevention or reversing of type 2 diabetes appears possible through lifestyle modification and herbal therapies. Diabetes manifests itself when insulin produced in the body cannot adequately metabolize the sugar in the blood, causing blood sugar levels to spike. 90 percent of all diabetes falls in the Type 2 category. We will focus on Type 2 diabetes here.
The inability of available insulin to fully break available blood sugar into energy leads to a rise in blood sugar levels. Another reason is that the conversion process itself has become retarded. The cells of the body have become resistant to the available insulin. As a consequence, blood sugar levels rise. The medical name for such a condition is insulin resistance.
There are multiple causes of insulin resistance. Hepatitis C virus infection in the liver is one reported cause. (Petit et al., 2001) The pancreas has become calcified and cannot produce enough insulin, which is another reason. (Malka et al., 2000). There are other causes of insulin resistance.
Type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle disease. In many cases, it can be prevented. In others, the reversal of diabetes is seen through lifestyle modification.
Yoga and standard physical training exercises both have a positive impact on individuals who have diabetes. It helps reduce oxidative stress and bring about improvements in antioxidant profiles. (Gordon, L.A., et al., 2008)
Diabetic individuals who performed pranayama felt a sense of well-being in 7 to 10 days of practice. Demand for insulin, and other diabetes control medicine dropped. In this trial, four types of pranayama were practiced for 30 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of resting yoga posture called Shavasana (a dead person pose posture). (Sahay, B.K., 2007)
In addition to breathing exercises, eight forms of physical activities – (Yoga asana)- have been observed to benefit diabetic patients. These exercises were practiced daily for 45 minutes, followed by relaxation exercises like Shavasana (Deadman pose) and Makrasana (Crocodile pose).
The Yoga asana practiced were Dhanurasana (Bow Pose), and Ardha matsayendrasana (half spinal twist) helped control diabetes optimally. Halasana (plow pose), Vajrasana (sitting posture with feet under your hips, Bhujangasana (Cobra pose), and Naukasana (boat pose) were effective.
Dr. Neal Barnard, associate professor of medicine at George Washington School of Medicine, recommends a vegan diet to people with diabetes. According to him, a vegan diet can help in the prevention and reversing of diabetes. (Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes published his book in 2007)
The diet recommendations of Dr. Neal Barnard are more by the current day’s thinking, which claims that the link between the gut, diet, and lifestyle diseases like diabetes is intimate. Effective restoration of gut microbiota, reversal, and repairing gut microbiota to good health is possible through dietary changes.
The diet recommendations of Dr. Neal Barnard are more by the current day’s thinking, which claims that the link between the gut, diet, and lifestyle diseases like diabetes is intimate. Effective restoration of gut microbiota Reversal and repair of gut microbiota to good health is possible through dietary changes.
There is a huge amount of scientific literature on the appropriate diet for patients with type 2 diabetes. Most of these recommendations help in keeping under control the blood sugar levels of type 2 diabetes patients.
According to the American Diabetes Association, nutrient-dense foods are the best for individuals who have diabetes. These foods are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals but low in added sugars, sodium, and unhealthy fats. These nutrients are available in non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, tomatoes, beans, lettuce, cucumbers, and the like.
These should be consumed as far as a possible whole and minimally processed. Apple, cantaloupe, strawberries, blueberries, brown rice, whole wheat bread, whole grain pasta, and oatmeal are other food recommendations. A diabetic diet can include starchy vegetables like corn, green peas, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, plantain, black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, and green lentils.
Similar recommendations are made by the Diabetes body in the UK too. While both of these bodies do not prohibit the consumption of fish, meat, chicken, and dairy, they do not also expressly support their use.
In my research on natural solutions for diabetes, I have found that combining diet, exercise, and herbs can relieve type 2 diabetes patients. While there is scientific human trial-based evidence supporting diet and exercise, the scientific support for herbs is limited.
The answers to reversing diabetes type 2 patients are complex, and the solutions are not as black and white as people may want them to be. There is no doubt, in my mind, though, that reversal of lifestyle diseases like diabetes is possible through a combination therapy that also includes modern medicine-based medicines. It is best to try these under the expert supervision of a diabetologist. Home remedies can cause more harm than good.
Reference:
Natural Solutions for Diabetes