What Helps Type 2 Diabetes

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin found in foods including fish (salmon, trout, sardines) and mushrooms (morel, chanterelle, oyster, shiitake), but more substantially from sun exposure, as the sun’s ultraviolet rays trigger synthesis. 

Vitamin D may help Type2 Diabetes by increasing insulin sensitivity and slowing metabolic deterioration.

Cinnamon is a spice made from the dried, inner bark of a Cinnamomum Verum tree native to Sri Lanka. It contains high levels of the organic compound cinnamaldehyde, which not only lends the spice its flavor and odor, but also affects overall health and metabolism.

Cinnamon may help Type2 Diabetes by lowering blood sugar and improving insulin sensitivity.

Gymnema is the common name for Gymnema Sylvestre a woody, climbing shrub native to India, Africa and Australia. Widely used in ayurvedic medicine, the plant’s leaves naturally contain gymnemic acids that contain antidiabetic, anti-sweetener and anti-inflammatory activities.

Gymnema may help Type2 Diabetes by delaying glucose absorption, and therefore lowering blood sugar.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid is a water and fat-soluble organic compound produced naturally in the human body inside the mitochondria. It is a powerful antioxidant also found in foods including animal meat (bovine organs), vegetables (spinach, broccoli, tomato, brussels sprouts) and grain (rice bran).

Alpha-Lipoic Acid may help Type2 Diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity.

Magnesium is an essential mineral for the human body absorbed through foods including nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts), beans (black beans, edamame) and vegetables (spinach, potatoes). It is responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body helping maintain nerve and muscle function, a healthy immune system, blood glucose levels, as well as, aiding in energy and protein production.

Magnesium may help Type2 Diabetes by improving insulin resistance.

Berberine is a bioactive alkaloid compound sourced from a variety of plants including Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium), Barberry (Berberis vulgaris), and Chinese Goldthread (Coptis chinensis). Widely used in ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, the Berberis species of plants are yellow in color and have been used to dye fabrics including wool, leather and wood.

Berberine may help Type2 Diabetes by lowering insulin resistance.

Chromium is an essential mineral that exists in several forms. A toxic form resulting from industrial pollution and a biologically-active form, trivalent chromium, sourced from food including vegetables (broccoli, potato, green beans), fruit (pears, dates, grape juice), seafood (mussels, oysters, shrimp) and brewer’s yeast.

Chromium may help Type2 Diabetes by reducing insulin resistance.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids are essential fats absorbed through food including fish (mackerel, salmon, seabass), vegetable oils (flax oil, soybean oil), nuts (walnuts) and seeds (flax, chia, hemp). There are three main Omega-3 Fatty Acids: ALA also known as Alpha-Linolenic Acid, EPA also known as Eicosapentaenoic Acid and DHA also known as Docosahexaenoic Acid. ALA is found naturally in plants, while EPA and DHA are found in fish. Omega-3 Fatty Acids maintain heart, vascular, lung, brain, immune and endocrine system health, while reducing inflammation.

Omega-3 Fish Oil may help Type2 Diabetes, but the biological mechanisms are unclear.

Fenugreek, an herb similar to clover, is a member of the Fabaceae or legume, pea, bean-family. Native to the Mediterranean, Southern Europe and Western Asia, powdered seeds have been used historically to treat digestive issues and induce childbirth. While leaves have remained a staple in culinary curries, Fenugreek is used to treat eczema, manage diabetes and promote lactation. It also contains a powerful sotolane molecule, used as a maple-flavoring agent. 

Fenugreek may help Type2 Diabetes in conjunction with controlled diet and exercise.

Aloe Vera or Aloe barbadensis miller is a succulent plant native to the Arabian Peninsula. The name Aloe is derived from the Arabic word alloeh meaning shiny bitter substance as its fleshy leaves contain a bitter yellow sap. Uses include skin care, digestion and topical antiseptic, and it can be traced back 6,000 years to Egyptian stone carvings.

Aloe Vera may help Type2 Diabetes by lowering blood sugar.

Bitter Melon or Momordica Charantia is a subtropical/tropical perennial climbing vine bearing bitter-tasting elongated fruit. Native to India, but administered in traditional Asian medicine since the 14th century, Bitter Melon is used for gynecological issues, managing diabetes and lowering cholesterol.

Bitter Melon may help Type2 Diabetes by lowering short term blood glucose levels.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that naturally live in the human body. They typically include strains from the common bacteria groups, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, as well as the yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii. Found naturally in fermented foods (kombucha, tempeh, kimchi, miso and sauerkraut) and dairy (yogurt, buttermilk, cottage cheese), probiotics are part of the microbiome or the healthy community of organisms that keep the body healthy.

Probiotics may help Type2 Diabetes by improving glucose metabolism.

Vitamin B1 or Thiamine is an essential nutrient required for energy metabolism. B Vitamins are critical to cellular function. The first B vitamin to be discovered, B1, is water-soluble and absorbed through foods including meats (pork, beef), vegetables (cauliflower, kale, asparagus, acorn squash), grain (rice, barley, oats), seeds (flax, sunflower) and fish (salmon, trout, tuna, mussels). 

Vitamin B1 may help Type2 Diabetes by positively-affecting glucose metabolism.

American Ginseng or Panax quinquefolius is a herbaceous perennial and member of the ivy, Araliaceae, family. A traditional and widely-used Native American medicine, Ginseng is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Found primarily in the Appalachian and Ozark regions, as well as eastern Canada, the herb was discovered by a Jesuit priest in the 1700s and imported to China.

American Ginseng may help Type2 Diabetes by improving pancreatic cell function, increasing insulin production and decreasing blood glucose.

Psyllium is a soluble fiber made from the ground husks of Plantago ovata plant seeds. It is a prebiotic inducing the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the human body, as well as a widely-used laxative. Grown worldwide, it is most common to India.

Psyllium may help Type2 Diabetes by improving glycemic control.