Medicinal herbs are used by nutritionists, healers, and doctors of all types to treat various medical conditions. One condition that can respond positively to treatment with herbs is insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the effectiveness of insulin, the hormone released by the body to control glucose processing, is reduced. Insulin resistance can be caused by a variety of factors including (but not limited to) obesity, lack of exercise, high blood pressure, adult-onset diabetes and cigarette smoking.
Insulin Resistance
In people with insulin resistance, the body is producing sufficient amounts of insulin, but the muscles, fat and liver cells are not using it to effectively convert glucose to energy. As a result, their bodies need more insulin to help release glucose in cells. The pancreas, the organ that produces insulin, overcompensates by producing increased levels of insulin. However, the body is not able to use this insulin effectively and the result is excess levels of both glucose and insulin in the bloodstream, which often leads to adult-onset diabetes. Other symptoms include difficulty regulating body weight, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Treatment for Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is treated with a combination of interventions for the best results. Increased exercise, a healthy diet, and quitting smoking are all recommended to help the body regulate insulin production and use. Additionally, those with the condition are sometimes prescribed medications to help them lose weight and are advised to eat diets high in fiber with lots of complex carbohydrates.
Herbs are defined as any plant that is used for medicinal, culinary or sensory purposes. Most herbs used in cooking are green plants and leaves. While herb use in healing and health is common, and in these uses, definition of "herb" broadens to include most natural substances that are considered to have healing properties or benefits. Herbs are also used in the treatment of insulin resistance.
Those affected with the condition are sometimes advised to take glucomannan, a fiber derived from the konjac root. Glucomannan slows the emptying of the stomach, which helps to stabilize blood sugar by slowing sugar absorption.
Cinnamon is bark from the cinnamon tree that is dried and ground or fashioned into small "sticks" for flavoring and steeping. In addition to being a flavoring for many different dishes, cinnamon is also used in the treatment of insulin resistance. Users can ingest cinnamon in the form of capsules or powders. According to Mary
Shomon of the Thryroid Network, cinnamon has been proven to reduce blood sugar levels and increase natural production of insulin, aiding those with insulin resistance.
According to Holistic Online, there are several other herbs used to help regulate blood sugar. Bitter melon, or balsam pear, is a warty, long fruit that is a member of the gourd family. It grows in tropical and sub tropical climates. Because three different compounds found in the fruit are believed to lower blood sugar, bitter melon extract is used to make tablets, capsules, powders, and juices for consumption.
Gymnema sylvestre is a climbing plant that grows throughout India. Its leaves have many uses in healing, and the extract from it has been found to assist in insulin production, lowering blood sugar, and reducing appetite.
Onions and garlic are shown to have a lowering effect on blood sugar. Both the extracts and whole foods forms are used to help with insulin resistance.
The extract of Asian ginseng has been shown to lower blood sugar, enhance the release of insulin and to increase the numbers of insulin receptors.
Other herbs used for the treatment of insulin resistance include blueberry leaf extract, fenugreek, gingko biloba, kino, and bilberry.
Tags: blood sugar, insulin resistance, herbs used, Insulin resistance, treatment insulin, used treatment