ANTI-AGING: Top Ten Herbal Supplements That Naturally Manage Your Blood Sugar

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Posted Date: Monday, June 30, 2008 | Viewed: 67

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Centuries before anyone knew what blood sugar even was, herbal remedies were used to control the symptoms associated with high blood sugar and diabetes. Today, pharmaceutical-grade anti-aging supplements containing the same specific herbs are still being used, and are still remarkably effective.

Although it’s one of the fastest growing problems in our fast-food, fat-and-carbo culture, diabetes is not a new disease. Early records clearly describe the symptoms and effects of the disease among the populations of almost every continent. In Asia, Europe, the Americas and elsewhere, natural healers learned how to use local herbs to successfully manage these symptoms.

This precious knowledge has been passed down to the present, and most of these herbs are now conveniently available as anti-aging supplements. If you have any medically diagnosed blood sugar problems or diabetes, be sure to consult your physician before taking any of these herbal remedies.

Here is a brief roundup of the top ten most effective blood sugar herbs:

Banaba, a variety of myrtle from Asia and Australia, provides natural plant insulin that helps maintain existing normal blood sugar levels. Some evidence suggests it can stimulate glucose uptake and offer insulin-like activity because of its corosolic acid and tannin ingredients that support glucose and carbohydrate metabolism.

Bitter melon, also called balsam pear, bitter gourd, bitter cucumber, karela or charantin, is cultivated in Asia, East Africa and South America where it has been used as a diabetes remedy for centuries. Modern studies show that fifty to sixty milliliters a day of bitter melon juice can lower blood glucose concentrations.

Blueberry leaves (and European bilberry leaves) offer a natural way to control or lower slightly elevated blood sugar levels. Tea made from the leaves is used as an astringent, and anti-inflammatory for the kidney, bladder and prostate. Anti-aging supplement blueberry leaf extracts are also available if you can’t find the leaves.

Fenugreek, grown as a potherb or wild, is used both as an herb (the leaves) and as a spice (the seeds). Clinical studies demonstrate anti-diabetic properties of fenugreek seeds, lowering blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, and to a lesser extent, lowering blood cholesterol. Known side effects of high doses include mild digestive distress. Fenugreek should not be used by pregnant or nursing women.

Gymnema sylvestre is an ancient Ayurvedic herb has been used for more than 2000 years in India to support carbohydrate metabolism and treat diabetes. It is still used today in India to lower blood sugar in both type I and type II diabetes.

Asian ginseng is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes. It has been shown to enhance the release of insulin from the pancreas, to increase insulin reception, and lower blood sugar.

Cinnamon, native to India and Sri Lanka, has insulin-like properties, and half a teaspoon of cinnamon mixed into the diet throughout the day significantly reduces blood glucose levels along with triglycerides and cholesterol -- especially important for type II diabetes patients.

Ginkgo biloba extract improves blood flow in the peripheral tissues of the nerves in the arms, legs, hands, feet and brain, and helps prevent diabetic retinopathy.

Pterocarpus marsupium (often called Kino) is a tree grown in India and Sri Lanka. An herbal remedy made from the tree can reduce glucose absorption and improve insulin and pro-insulin levels. It’s also been shown effective in beta cell regeneration, and has numerous other traditional medicinal uses.

And finally, the onion -- yes the lowly onion -- has been clinically shown to block the breakdown of insulin by the liver and possibly stimulate insulin production by the pancreas. An ingredient in onions called APDS (allyl propyl disulphide) causes a marked decrease in blood glucose levels and an increase in serum insulin. The effects are the same whether they’re cooked or raw.

So there you have our top ten blood sugar health herbal remedies. And with the exception of only the ubiquitous onion, which is as close as your local grocer, all are readily available as anti-aging supplements that you can keep handy on your vitamin shelf.

Article Tags: anti-aging, anti-aging supplements, cinnamon, pterocarpus marsupium, kino, bitter melon, gymnema sylvestre, onion, fenugreek, asian ginseng, blueberry

Author, Rod MacTaggart, contributes articles on anti-aging and health for Feel Good For Life. More information on these and other topics can be found at http://www.feelgoodforlife.com.

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