Type 1 Diabetes affects millions of people around the world, so having a clear picture of the symptoms and potential treatment options for this disorder is important, including the use of home remedies like honey, avocado, goldenseal, red clover, dietary restrictions, regular checkups and lifestyle changes, among others.
Home Remedies for Type 1 Diabetes
There are a number of lifestyle changes and natural remedies that can significantly moderate the symptoms and help sufferers live a more normal life. Now, let’s look a bit closer at some of these treatments and remedies for Type 1 diabetes.
Quit Smoking
There may not be a cure for Type 1 diabetes, but there are a number of ways to effectively treat it and mitigate its effects. Smoking can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in diabetic patients by almost 3 times, so if you do consume tobacco products, consider quitting to avoid that heightened risk. Diabetes affects many different parts of your body, and any additional stress or carcinogen deposition can complicate the disorder. [1]
Measuring blood glucose levels Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Avocado
Early studies on avocado have shown that the nutrient-rich extract from avocado can measurably reduce blood sugar in the body, and this is believed to be due to the rejuvenation of islet cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. While this is still undergoing testing, it does show promising results for a reversal or serious moderation of the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes. If you weren’t eating avocados before, perhaps you should start! [2]
Dietary Restrictions
Aside from a rather long list of food and herbs that you should add to your diet, there is also quite a bit you should eliminate. This includes the close limiting of carbohydrates, particularly simple sugars. When these basic sugars are broken down into the body, they cause a rapid spike in blood sugar that your body cannot naturally handle. By keeping your carbohydrate intake under control, you are better able to manage the fluctuating blood sugar and the consequent symptoms. [3]
Red Clover
The biggest problem with Type 1 diabetes is the inability to cure the disease since it is typically caused by the destruction of the key beta cells in the pancreas that can produce insulin. However, red clover, a relatively unknown herb, has a compound called genistein that can stimulate the regrowth and protection of pancreatic beta cells, allowing your body to produce some of the insulin it needs. [4]
Regular Checkups
Whenever you are struggling with a health crisis, it can often be easier to pretend it doesn’t exist than face the frightening reality, but regular checkups are essential if you suffer from Type 1 diabetes. Diabetes can have a number of different long-term side effects, including vision and circulation problems. In addition to your annual health checkup, you should have individual exams specifically looking for diabetic complications, and possibly adjust your treatment regimen accordingly. [5]
Honey
Although most people think of honey as a sweet flavoring agent that may not be the best for blood sugar levels, the sugars in honey are actually complex carbohydrates, which do not break down as easily. Furthermore, the rich density of nutrients, antioxidants and organic compounds in honey have been linked to the rejuvenation of pancreatic beta cells, meaning that your body could begin making insulin again. [6]
Lifestyle Changes
Exercising more and living less of a sedentary lifestyle is important if you want to moderate the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes. Obesity, cardiovascular issues, and high blood pressure are all associated with diabetes, but if you can stimulate your metabolism and keep your body running at a higher level, you are far more likely to enjoy a longer, more active life with diabetes. [7] [8]
Goldenseal
As an herbal remedy for Type 1 diabetes, few things are better than goldenseal, which possesses an active ingredient, named berberine, which has been directly linked to the production of pancreatic beta cells, the lack of which is the fundamental cause of this metabolic disorder. [9]
Nigella Sativa
A slightly more obscure herb, but powerful and respected around the globe, Nigella sativa is often called “black seed”, but has a number of unique properties. It can not only stimulate the regrowth of those beta cells in the pancreas, but also improve the function of existing ones, making this both a preventative measure and a treatment option. [10]
Lower Stress
High anxiety and stress levels can wreak havoc on the body, causing elevated blood pressure, sleeplessness, poor metabolism, depression, unpredictable eating habits and a weakened immune system. When compounded with diabetes, chronic stress can be downright deadly, particularly with such a varied and dangerous set of side effects. Use techniques like yoga, acupuncture, meditation, massage, breathing techniques and regular exercise to keep your stress levels down and ensure that your body has a fighting chance to perform normally, despite diabetes. [11]
Final Word of Warning
While many of these home remedies can help lessen the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, this is a lifelong disease with no known cure. Regular injections of insulin will likely remain a necessary part of your life. However, these treatment suggestions are a complementary lifestyle and dietary tips that should fit within the treatment framework laid out by your doctor.
