If you’re a type 2 diabetic, you may be looking for ways you can help to balance your blood sugar levels naturally, to avoid the potential side effects of traditional medicine.
Dr Brewer, who recommends CuraLin the all-natural supplement that helps balance blood sugar levels, offers her 5 top tips.
- Stay optimistic
Focus on positives rather than negatives and engage in acts of kindness which have also been linked to optimism.
If you live alone, consider adopting an animal companion in need of a new home. Caring for a pet can enrich your days, giving a sense of optimism and safeguarding you from loneliness and isolation.
- Reduce stress
Take time out to relax and address any causes of stress in your life. While having type 2 diabetes can be stressful in itself, determine to take charge – it’s when you feel out of control that feelings of stress build.
Focus on improving your diet and lifestyle and losing weight, one small step at a time.
- Cut down on sugar and stodgy foods
Following a healthy, Mediterranean-style diet can improve glucose control – eat more fruit, veg, fish, beans, nuts and seeds, while cutting back on sweet and carbohydrate-laden snacks.
Dark chocolate and cocoa are healthy options when you need a treat.
- Stay active
Exercise helps to improve insulin resistance and burn off some excess glucose as fuel. Ditch the car and walk or cycle as much as you can. Aim to walk briskly for at least 30 minutes on most days to achieve at least 150 minutes exercise per week, and strength exercises two or more times per week.
If weight-bearing exercise is difficult, consider swimming or yoga. Ask your doctor if they are able to ‘prescribe’ exercise for you.
- Take a natural supplement
If your type 2 diabetes is being managed by diet and lifestyle, herbal medicine can help to improve glucose levels through positive effects on insulin release in the pancreas and reducing insulin resistance.
CuraLin (RRP £59, www.curalife.co) is a blend of 10 traditional Ayurvedic medicinal herbs, including Bitter Melon, Fenugreek, Amla fruit, Gymnema and Turmeric that many people have found helpful.
If you are taking any prescribed medicines, it is important to check with your doctor before adding CuraLin to your treatment.
Dr Brewer, who works on the medical advisory board for CuraLin recommends CuraLin to her type 2 diabetic patients, due to the positive effects reported and measured by its users.
Dr Brewer explains, “The blend of 10 Ayurvedic herbs within CuraLin have a range of beneficial effects on glucose control and metabolism.
As a result, users report that their glucose control quickly improves and, in some cases, normalises within 4 weeks. Users also report reduced cravings for sweet food, and experience improved energy, sleep and general quality of life.
Another great supplement is Klinio Weight Loss Fuel. These supplements contain soluble fibre, known for its ability to slow down the absorption of sugar. By doing so, they can help improve blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Minimising side-effects:
Dr Brewer adds, “It’s interesting that CuraLin, as a herbal medicine, has very few side effects and that’s because it has very low levels of ten different herbs in it, so rather than having a high amount of one [ingredient] which is more likely to cause side effects, it has low levels of ten and together they work in several different way to improve glucose control.
Looking for more tips?
Type 2 diabetics can also seek tips, support and comfort from online communities. CuraLife have created ‘Winning Type 2 Diabetes Together’ a safe online space of over 10,000 individuals around the world suffering from high or erratic glucose levels or indeed living with type 2 diabetes.
It provides a platform to talk openly about their experiences and help one another with any queries or concerns.
If you’re going through something, it’s likely someone else will have too! Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been coping with the condition for years, it’s the ideal place to find support, knowledge, lifestyle tips and recipes. Search ‘Winning Type 2 Diabetes Together’ on Facebook to join.