Question I was diagnosed a diabetic (2) 2 years ago and I'm having a problem finding a medication (not including insulin)to control my blood sugar (current A1C equals 7). What natural remedies can I use to bring my A1C to 6? My doctor wants to put me on insulin. I am 5'6" and I weigh 219. I have started changing my eating habits to lose weight. I have lost 13 lbs thus far on nutrisystem. I have found that this diet really controls your BS if you follows the diet but it is expensive. I am no longer on nutrisystem.
Answer Hi Ruth,
Great question. You can accomplish the same thing as nutrisystem just by watching your carbohydrates and adding a couple of supplements.
First: Limit your carbohydrate intake to no more than 100 grams per day, with no more than 20 grams (equivalent to one slice of bread) at any meal or snack. Watch out for "hidden" carbs in things like low-fat milk, yogurt, etc. Make sure that the carbs you DO eat are high fiber -- apples, any kind of berry, cantaloupe, grapefruit, oatmeal, etc. ABSOLUTELY NO JUICES! Eat the fruit instead. Juices are too high in carbs.
Second: LEAN meats and fish, and green veggies (not peas or lima beans, they are actually starches).
Third: I personally take cinnamon and chromium. I take 1000 mg of cinnamon -- equivalent to about 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon -- per day. If you prefer, you can sprinkle the cinnamon on a slice of whole-wheat toast, or oatmeal, but that's a LOT of cinnamon, so you may prefer the capsules. You should be able to get both of these at a discount pharmacy or WalMart.
And lastly: a 30-minute walk twice a day will help a lot. Or, if you belong to a gym that has a pool, try doing a water aerobics class -- a vigorous one -- every day. Not only will it lower your blood sugar, it will help with the weight loss.
