News Release: Research Evidence Affirms that Good Nutrition Can Help Prevent and Control Type 2 Diabetes

Read the entire article, its too important to miss!

http://www.joslin.org/news/Research-affirms-good-nutrition-can-help-prevent-and-control-type2-diabetes.html

One major finding was that certain foods and dietary patterns can help prevent type 2 diabetes even without weight loss. “People who eat a Mediterranean diet, with foods such as olive oil, whole grains and leafy vegetables and fruits, have a lower risk of developing diabetes even when they don’t lose weight,” Dr. Hamdy says.

Foods such as oat cereal, yogurt and dairy products, green leafy vegetables, grapes, apples, blueberries and walnuts were associated with reduced diabetes risk. Drinking coffee and even decaffeinated coffee were also associated with lower type 2 diabetes risk.

Participants who followed a Mediterranean eating plan — without restricting calories — showed a greater improvement in glycemic control and insulin sensitivity than participants who ate other popular diets. In addition, overweight patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes who followed the Mediterranean diet had less need for antihyperglycemic medications compared with participants on a low-fat diet.

Overall, a variety of eating plans, including the Mediterranean, low-carbohydrate/low glycemic index and high-protein diets, improved glycemic control and cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients with diabetes compared with control diets. This offers patients a range of options for diabetes management.

Foods associated with a higher risk of diabetes include red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, alcohol in excess quantities and refined grains, such as white flour.

What about herbs, supplements, and herbal "Cures" for diabetes?

What about herbs, supplements, and herbal "Cures" for diabetes?
 
First of all, it's vital that you inform your doctor about every supplement, herb and vitamin you take, as they can often affect prescription medications in a negative or even dangerous way! 

Some herbs or supplements can make prescriptions less effective, other can make them too powerful. With diabetes, either one can be dangerous. There are even problems with some foods. Grapefruit is one that comes to mind.

Herbal supplements can easily fall into this category and must be used with extreme caution. Some "herbal treatments" for diabetes contain hidden ingredients. For example, one imported "herbal treatment" was found to contain metformin, rather than herbs, and had to be withdrawn from the market. Profit can be the main incentive for some companies, you have to look out for yourself and protect yourself from these frauds. Many make false claims to cure or control diabetes. Its best to stick with a good diet, and proper medications, as the complications from this disease are so serious.

In my experience, most herbs, vitamins, and homeopathic remedies are useless when it comes to controlling blood glucose. This is a serious disease and you have to take it very seriously to get good results and avoid complications. A good multivitamin and mineral supplement can be helpful overall, but nothing can take the place of good diet, exercise, and the necessary prescription medications, especially insulin.

If you want to try supplements look for those that have been proven through independent studies to help, but approach them with caution and certainly don't rely entirely on supplements, herbs or homeopathy. Follow your doctor's advice. 

You just will not get good control with herbs and supplements, and the complications from this disease are not fun. Don’t risk your health further!

Just my 2 cents!