High blood sugar can cause devastating conditions, but with the right changes to your diet and lifestyle, and the right natural supplements supporting your efforts, it’s very possible to naturally lower your blood sugar. How do you achieve consistently lower blood sugar naturally, while eating a healthy but normal diet, and how long will it take?
The answer to this question is going to vary by individual, but generally, you can expect to see solid progress in just a few weeks. One study by UCLA tracked 652 subjects with diabetes, including 240 who were only recently diagnosed and thus were not taking any medications yet. The 652 people were at the Pritikin center, where they were eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise.
In just three weeks, the newly diagnosed diabetics saw their blood sugar fall by an average of 40 mg/dL. Those who had been diabetics for longer also had great success, and 71% of them were able to get their fasting blood sugar down so low that they could go off all drugs.
Isn’t Medication Better?
The Diabetes Prevention Program, in a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, followed over 3,200 people with pre-diabetes. One-third of the people ate a diet low in carbohydrates and calories and high in fiber while exercising at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. They achieved a 7% weight loss and reduced their chance of getting full-blown type 2 diabetes by 58% (71% for those over 60!).
Meanwhile, another third took the usually prescribed drug, metformin. Metformin reduced the progression from pre-diabetes to full-blown diabetes by just 31%. In other words, changes to lifestyle were twice as effective as medication.
How to Lower Blood Sugar Naturally
Diet
Diet is the biggest culprit of all and the first line of defense. There’s no one-size-fits-all diet and it’s important to find the right diet for you–one that you can keep to–but in general, you want to focus on minimizing your carbohydrates while avoiding any refined carbs, like white sugar or flour, completely. The few carbs you do eat should be complex and fiber-rich: think sweet potatoes, whole grain oats, and carrots.
Be sure to eat enough filling quality fats and very high-quality protein (from grass-fed or pastured animals if you can). And be sure to make a plan. You’re much more likely to succeed if you plan out your meals and snacks in advance.
Exercise
Aim for at least 30 minutes of a day, and try to fit that in five days a week. But don’t forget about muscle building. The more muscle you have, all other things being equal, the more sugar your body will burn even when at rest. For cardio, remember that a brisk walk is just as good as running, jogging, or anything more strenuous. The key is consistency and finding something you enjoy.
Supplemental Support
Cinnamon is a powerful blood-sugar supporting supplement, and the right supplements can help support your body’s metabolic pathways and help you process blood sugar easily and more efficiently. They’re a great support to your diet and exercise efforts and can help you lower your blood sugar even more quickly.
To learn more, contact us at Panacea Scientific today to find out about our Glucose Control 7 Ways and other supplements that support your health goals!