For the more than 38 million people who have type 2 diabetes, daily life consists of careful management of their condition. Monitoring blood sugar, daily medications, diet and exercise changes all support diabetes management, preventing and delaying some of the serious consequences of diabetes. However, the quest for better and more natural diabetes management has continued. In recent years a set of three unusual foods (a fungus, a spice, and a fruit) have been found to have positive impact on diabetes management and prevention.
Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
This unusual looking fungus is popping up in people’s newsfeeds because of its wealth of health benefits, one of which is its ability to help manage diabetes. In one study, lion’s mane mushrooms, named for their shaggy appearance, lowered the blood sugar and raised the insulin serum in rats. Lion’s mane mushrooms also fight against systemic inflammation, another factor in diabetes. It seems to increase antioxidant levels, giving the body more protection from oxidative stress than can contribute to diabetes. Another study found that lion’s mane mushrooms may help relieve nerve pain in hands and feet, a common symptom of diabetes.
Many different supplement companies offer lion’s mane mushroom supplements, but there are some that are better than others. Find out which options offer the best supplements. You also can cook these mushrooms and enjoy the benefits by adding them to your diet.
Turmeric
This bright spice is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces the production of many different pro-inflammatory cytokines. This is reason enough to place this spice on a list of foods to fight diabetes and help manage this condition. However, if you have not already added turmeric to your spice cabinet or supplement collection, here are a few more ways turmeric helps manage diabetes. Turmeric may help prevent thickening and stiffening of the arteries, a common complication of diabetes. Another study showed that turmeric, even at a low dose, can help lower blood sugar levels, manage weight gain, and bring down cholesterol.
Sprinkling turmeric into dishes will add an earthy, warmness as well as all of its health benefits. Be aware that turmeric can stain even dishes and containers. You may also opt for taking well-developed turmeric supplements that are engineered to provide the highest level of bioavailability for all that turmeric has to offer.
Pomegranate
Anything sweet can be seen as a potential threat to someone with diabetes, but many fruits can counteract some of the disease’s effects, helping lower inflammation and counter oxidative stress. Pomegranates, a less usual fruit option, received attention recently for its ability to help those with diabetes to manage their condition. Not only do pomegranates fight inflammation, but they also help manage blood sugar. Drinking pomegranate juice or adding this curious fruit to your meal can help stabilize fasting blood sugar, keep you from an after-meal spike, and increase your body’s ability to produce insulin.
Make use of pomegranate’s benefits by drinking pomegranate juice or by peeling, separating, and eating its countless delicious and nutritious seeds. Pomegranate extract can also be found in the supplement section.
References:
https://draxe.com/nutrition/lions-mane-mushroom/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32738392/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4415746/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8126655/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2022/1375892
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36076615/
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