Utilizing Dietary Techniques and Adding Supplements as Help in Diabetes Management

If you suffer from Diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes, you are among thousands of others who need help managing diabetes conditions.

You can lower blood sugar levels by using a specially formulated Diabetes Type 2 diet and some important supplements. Though results will vary, following this routine helps to avoid complications that are associated with this disease including kidney complications, cardiovascular issues, muscles, and neuron damage, and even permanent disability resulting from amputations.

These dietary and supplementary factors in many cases are a factor in helping you reverse your condition and avoid permanent damage. They should be a part of every diabetes type 2 eating plan.

9 Diabetes Type 2 Diet: Tips and Strategies for Managing Blood Sugar Levels

Studies have shown that food that is low on the Glycemic Index helps weight loss, controls blood sugar levels, and even lowers the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.

Diabetes type 2 and low glycemic diet are the two terms that are often used together, because of the ability of the latter in managing the former.

Following such a diet is not so different from normal healthy eating. Important factors to consider when deciding on food is to choose the right type of sugar, the right structure of the starch that you consumed, more unprocessed food, food with good fat composition, caring how the food is prepared, and consuming fruits that are not that ripened.

In short, you should stick with whole grains, high fiber food, fresh fruit with lesser sugar, fresh and green vegetables, legumes, whole grain pasta, low-fat dairy, meat, fish, and nuts. Let’s see some of the food items that will help you lower your blood sugar levels and should be a part of the diabetes type 2 eating plan.

 

 

1. Fish

Fish is a great way to manage blood sugar levels. The lean meat of the fish is one of the healthiest foods you can find. People who have diabetes and consume fish regularly can decrease their risk of heart disease and stroke; according to the American Diabetes Association dietary recommendations. The important compounds found in fish meat, like DHA and EPA, can help reduce markers of inflammation (a complication of diabetes). Fish can help you feel fuller for longer durations and help increase your metabolic rate; this, in turn, helps to manage your blood glucose levels.

 

2. Greek Yogurt

People with diabetes cannot use normal dairy products regularly. Dairy products are heavy on fat and sugar content. But Greek yogurt is an excellent choice for people with Type 2 diabetes. It has shown to help control blood sugar levels, with the help of probiotics it contains. It can also lower the risk of heart disease.

3. Nuts

One of the fundamental parts of the whole Diabetes type 2 and low glycemic diet combination is nuts. Nuts are low in carbs and contain a lot of fiber. Some of the most beneficial nuts are macadamia, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, pecans, and almonds. These nuts can be used as snacks during the day to stabilize blood sugar levels. Nuts can help reduce inflammation and LDL levels in the body along with HbA1c.

4. Eggs

Eggs are the crown jewels of food. They can help keep you full for hours after consumption and provide multiple health benefits. Eggs are rich in proteins. They can help reduce inflammation, increase HDL levels, (the good cholesterol) improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Eggs are very good sources of lutein and antioxidants. It’s important to eat whole eggs, and not just the egg whites to enjoy the benefits of eggs.

5. Leafy Greens

Vegetables are the key ingredients of diabetes type 2 diet; especially the ones which are leafy and green. Such vegetables are low on carbohydrates and help moderate your blood sugar levels. These vegetables include – but not limited to, spinach, swiss chard, beet greens and kale. They not only help you with your diabetic condition but also contain several good vitamins and minerals needed for the proper functioning of the body. Leafy green vegetables are also good sources of antioxidants, which help your eyes.

6. Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil is excellent for diabetics. It helps protect your heart health and helps you feel fuller for longer. This enables you to have a moderate amount of food in longer durations, thus helping maintain blood sugar levels. Olive oil also contains antioxidants called polyphenols that reduce inflammation, and blood pressure. Olive oil also decreases the risk of heart disease.

7. Broccoli

Yes, broccoli is not everyone’s cup of tea. But the truth is that it is excellent for your health. It provides you with several health benefits like reducing insulin levels in the body. It also protects the body from harmful free radicals that are produced during metabolism.

8. Strawberries and Raspberries

Strawberries and raspberries are excellent fruit choices for people with diabetes. Several studies have shown that when strawberries are consumed after a meal, they can help reduce cholesterol levels along with insulin levels. They can help reduce blood sugar levels and the risk of heart disease. Berries are also rich in antioxidants and vitamins and loaded with fiber.

9. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is also an excellent choice for people with diabetes. With less than 1 gram of carbs per tablespoon, apple cider vinegar can help improve insulin sensitivity and decrease fasting blood glucose levels. Apple cider vinegar has also shown to improve blood sugar response when it is consumed with foods that have carbohydrates in them.

11 Supplements for Managing Diabetes Type 2: An Overview of Potentially Beneficial Options

One of the most effective ways to manage is the use of Diabetes Type 2 supplements. Scientists over the years have identified some key supplements that can help reduce blood sugar levels and manage diabetes.

These nutritional supplements contain a wide variety of elements within them that help them achieve this feat. Some of the key compounds that are used as active ingredients in these supplements are:

1. Berberine

Berberine supplement is perhaps the most potent supplement available for diabetic use in the market today. Berberine supplement has shown to significantly reduce blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes and berberine are combined at the hip. When it comes to diabetes and berberine, the latter has been as potent as a drug for the former. This supplement is shown to be as effective as the drug metformin in controlling diabetes. It even reduces sugar production in the body.

Berberine has also shown to cause weight loss in a patient with diabetes. It also has protective properties by which it can lower the risk of cardiovascular problems. It can help reduce hypertension, and also help women with PCOS. You can find our berberine supplement here. Our berberine supplement is specially designed with black pepper, which helps the body’s uptake of the supplement.

2. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a very interactive spice that can help lower blood sugar levels. Cinnamon can also improve insulin sensitivity and has many antioxidant properties. This spice has also shown to decrease cholesterol, triglyceride, and hemoglobin A1c. Long-term diabetes control is typically determined by measuring hemoglobin A1c, which reflects your average blood sugar level over 2 or 3 months. When choosing any supplement with cinnamon, always use the ones with Ceylon.

3. Chromium

Several studies have suggested that chromium picolinate may have a role in lowering blood sugar levels. It has also been seen that this specific compound can improve blood sugar metabolism in some cases. In many of the studies supplementation with this compound also showed positive results for impaired glucose intolerance.

4. Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1 or commonly called thiamine is needed by the body to convert carbohydrates into glucose. People who have diabetes can have a deficiency of this vitamin. Several studies have shown that when thiamine supplements are taken, blood glucose levels are stabilized. It can also prevent some serious diabetic complications.

5. Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha Lipoic Acid can have multiple effects on the body when taken by a diabetic. Studies have shown that it can reduce oxidative stress from the body. Alpha-Lipoic acid can also lower fasting blood sugar levels. It has also shown to decrease insulin resistance in some cases. However, its use should be moderate because it can lower the blood sugar levels to dangerous levels.

6. Green Tea

Green tea contains a lot of antioxidants like polyphenols, and epigallocatechin gallate. Epigallocatechin gallate has shown numerous benefits like low cardiovascular disease levels, prevention of type 2 diabetes and improved glucose control. Epigallocatechin gallate has also shown to improve insulin activity in the human body. Green tea can improve overall health, thus providing benefits to diabetic patients too.

7. Bitter Melon

Another plant that has received much attention for its anti diabetic effects is the bitter melon or Momordica charantia. It is a commonly used remedy for diabetes in Asia, South America, India, and East Africa. The plant is thought to possess hypoglycemic properties and can lower the blood sugar levels in diabetics.

8. Magnesium

Including a magnesium supplement in your diabetes management approach may prove beneficial. Research suggests that magnesium can enhance insulin sensitivity in individuals with diabetes. Additionally, consuming a diet rich in magnesium has been associated with a reduced risk of developing diabetes. Magnesium can also play a role in regulating blood pressure and mitigating the impact of stress.

9. Resveratrol

Resveratrol in the form of supplements has shown to improve fasting plasma glucose and insulin in diabetic patients. The supplement is so potent that many believe it will eventually become part of the conventional treatment of diabetes over time.

10. Gymnema Leaves

Supplementation with Gymnema Leaves has shown to reduce blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and glycosylated plasma proteins.

11. Fenugreek Seed

Fenugreek Seeds have shown multiple benefits in diabetic patients. Studies have found Fenugreek Seed to have a synergistic effect along with diet control and exercise on fasting blood glucose and HbA1c.

Although there are many studies on these supplements there is still no approval by the FDA and these statements are not endorsed by their association. Always bring these supplements to the attention of the physician you trust.