Ginseng has been used in Asia and North America for centuries. Many use it to improve thinking, concentration, memory and physical endurance. It's also utilized to help with depression, anxiety and as a chronic fatigue natural treatment. It's known to boost the immune system, fight infections and help men with erectile dysfunction.

Native Americans once used the root as a stimulant and headache remedy, as well as a treatment for infertility, fever and indigestion. Today, approximately 6 million Americans take advantage of the proven ginseng benefits regularly.

What Is Ginseng?

There are 11 species of ginseng, all belonging to the genus Panax of the family Araliaceae; The botanical name Panax means all heal in Greek. The name ginseng is used to refer to both American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng). The true ginseng plant belongs only to the Panax genus, so other species, such as Siberian ginseng and crown prince ginseng, have distinctively different functions.

The unique and beneficial compounds of the Panax species are called ginsenosides, and they're currently under clinical research to investigate their potential for medical use. Both Asian and American ginseng contain ginsenosides, but they include different types in different amounts. Research has varied, and some experts aren't yet convinced that there's enough data to label the medical capabilities of ginseng, but for centuries people have believed in its beneficial compounds and results.

Ginseng Nutrition Facts

American ginseng isn't ready for use until it's grown for about six years; It's endangered in the wild, so now it's grown on farms to protect it from overharvesting. The American ginseng plant has leaves that grow in a circular shape about the stem. The flowers are yellow-green and shaped like an umbrella; They grow in the center of the plant and produce red berries. The plant gets wrinkles around the neck with age older plants are more valuable and more expensive because ginseng benefits are more abundant in aged roots.

Ginseng contains various pharmacological components, including a series of tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins (ginsenosides), polyacetylenes, polyphenolic compounds and acidic polysaccharides.

9 Proven Ginseng Benefits

1. Improves Mood and Reduces Stress

A controlled study done at the Brain Performance and Nutrition Research Centre in the United Kingdom involved 30 volunteers who were given three rounds of treatments of ginseng and placebo. The study was done to gather data about ginseng's ability to improve mood and mental function. The results found that 200 milligrams of ginseng for eight days slowed the fall in mood, but also slowed the participants response to mental arithmetic. The 400 milligram dose improved calmness and improved mental arithmetic for the duration of the eight-day treatment.

Another study done at the Division of Pharmacology at the Central Drug Research Institute tested the effects of Panax ginseng on rats with chronic stress and found that it has significant anti-stress properties and can be used for the treatment of stress-induced disorders. The 100 milligram dose of Panax ginseng reduced the ulcer index, adrenal gland weight and plasma glucose levels — making it a powerful medicinal options for chronic stress and a great ulcer natural remedy and way to heal adrenal fatigue.

2. Improves Brain Function

Ginseng stimulates brain cells and improves concentration and cognitive activities. Evidence shows that taking Panax ginseng root daily for 12 weeks can improve mental performance in people with Alzheimer's disease. One study done at the Department of Neurology at the Clinical Research Institute in South Korea investigated the effectiveness of ginseng on the cognitive performance of patients with Alzheimer's disease. After ginseng treatment, the participants showed improvements, and this upscale trend continued for three months. After discontinuing ginseng treatment, the improvements declined to the levels of the control group.

This suggest ginseng works as an Alzheimer's natural treatment. Although more research on this topic is needed, one preliminary study found that a combination of American ginseng and ginkgo biloba helps naturally remedy ADHD.

3. Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties

An interesting study done in Korea measured the beneficial effects of Korean red ginseng on children after chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation for advanced cancer. The study included 19 patients who received 60 milligrams of Korean red ginseng daily for one year. Blood samples were collected every six months, and as a result of the treatment, the cytokines, or small proteins that are responsible for sending signals to the brain and regulating cell growth, decreased rapidly, which was a significant difference from the control group. This study suggests that Korean red ginseng has a stabilizing effect of the inflammatory cytokines in children with cancer after chemotherapy.

A 2011 study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine done on rats also measured the impact that Korean red ginseng has on inflammatory cytokines; After giving rats 100 milligrams of Korean red ginseng extract for seven days, the ginseng proved to significantly reduce the extent of inflammation — the root of most diseases — and it improved the damage that was already done to the brain.

Another animal study measured ginseng's anti-inflammatory benefits. Korean red ginseng was tested for its anti-allergic properties on 40 mice with allergic rhinitis, a common upper airway inflammatory disease typically seen in children and adults; The most frequent symptoms include congestion, nasal itching and sneezing. At the end of the trial, the Korean red ginseng reduced the nasal allergic inflammatory reaction in the mice, showcasing ginseng's place among the best anti-inflammatory foods.

4. Helps with Weight Loss

Another surprising ginseng benefit is its ability to work as a natural appetite suppressant. It also boosts your metabolism and helps the body burn fat at a faster rate. A study done at the Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research in Chicago measured the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects of Panax ginseng berry in adult mice; The mice were injected with 150 milligrams of ginseng berry extract per kilogram of body weight for 12 days. By day five, the mice taking the ginseng extract had significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels. After day 12, the glucose tolerance in the mice increased and overall blood glucose levels decreased by 53 percent. The treated mice showed weight loss, too, starting at 51 grams and ending the treatment at 45 grams.

A similar study done in 2009 found that Panax ginseng plays a vital role in the anti-obesity effect in mice, which suggests the clinical importance of improving the management of obesity and related metabolic syndromes with ginseng.



5. Treats Sexual Dysfunction

Taking powdered Korean red ginseng seems to improve sexual arousal and treat erectile dysfunction in men. A 2008 systematic review included 28 randomized clinical studies that evaluated the effectiveness of red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction; The review provided suggestive evidence for the use of red ginseng, but researchers believe that more rigorous studies are necessary in order to draw definitive conclusions.

Of the 28 reviewed studies, six reported an improvement of erectile function when using red ginseng compared with placebo control. Four studies tested the effects of red ginseng for sexual function using questionnaires compared with placebo, and all trials reported positive effects of red ginseng.

Research done in 2002 at the Department of Physiology at Southern Illinois University's School of Medicine indicates that ginseng's ginsenoside components facilitate penile erections by directly inducing the vasodilatation and relaxation of the erectile tissue. It's the release of nitric oxide from endothelial cells and perivascular nerves that directly affect the erectile tissue.

The university's research also indicates that ginseng affects the central nervous system and significantly alters the activity in the brain that facilitates hormonal behavior and secretion.

6. Improves Lung Function

Ginseng treatment has significantly decreased lung bacteria, and studies involving rats have shown that ginseng can stop the growth of cystic fibrosis, a common lung infection. In one 1997 study, rats were given ginseng injections, and after two weeks, the treated group showed a significantly improved bacterial clearance from the lungs.

Research also shows another ginseng benefit is its ability to treat a lung disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is characterized as chronically poor airflow that typically worsens over time. According to the research, taking Panax ginseng by mouth seems to improve lung function and some symptoms of COPD.



7. Lowers Blood Sugar Levels

Several studies show that American ginseng lowers blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, working as a diabetes natural remedy. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, one study found that people with type 2 diabetes who took American ginseng before or together with a high sugar drink showed less of an increase in blood glucose levels.

Another study done at the Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit in the United Kingdom found that Panax ginseng causes a reduction in blood glucose levels one hour after the consumption of glucose, confirming that ginseng possess glucoregulatory properties.

One of the primary difficulties with type 2 diabetes is that the body is not responsive enough to insulin. One study found that Korean red ginseng improved insulin sensitivity, further explaining ginseng's ability to help lower blood sugar levels and help those struggling with type 2 diabetes.

8. Prevents Cancer

Research has shown that ginseng possesses powerful anticancer properties because of its ability to inhibit tumor growth. Although more research is needed on this subject, reports conclude that it's the improvements in cell immunity involving T cells and NK cells (natural killer cells), along with other mechanisms such as oxidative stress, apoptosis and angiogenesis, that gives ginseng its anticancer properties.

Scientific reviews state that ginseng mitigates cancer through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and apoptotic mechanisms to influence gene expression and stop tumor growth. This shows ginseng may work as a natural cancer treatment. A number of studies have focused on ginseng's particular effect on colorectal cancer as about 1 in 21 people in the U.S. will get colorectal cancer during their lifetime. Researchers treated human colorectal cancer cells with steamed ginseng berry extract and found the anti-proliferation effects were 98 percent for HCT-116 and 99 percent for SW-480 cells. When researchers tested steamed American ginseng root, they found results comparable to that of the steamed berry extract.

9. Boosts Immune System

Another well-researched ginseng benefit is its ability to boost the immune system helping the body fight off infection and disease. The roots, stems and leaves of ginseng have been used for maintaining immune homeostasis and enhancing resistance to illness or infection.

Several clinical studies have shown that American ginseng improves the performance of cells that play a role in immunity. Ginseng regulates each type of immune cell, including macrophages, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, T cells and B cells.

Ginseng extracts produce antimicrobial compounds that work as a defense mechanism against bacterial and viral infections. Studies show that ginseng's polyacetylene compounds are effective against bacterial infections.

Research involving mice showed that ginseng decreased the number of bacteria present in the spleens, kidney and blood. Ginseng extracts also protected mice from septic death due to inflammation. Reports show that ginseng also has inhibitory effects on the growth of many viruses, including influenza, HIV and rotavirus.

10. Relieve Menopause Symptoms

Pesky symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depressive symptoms, vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive, weight gain, insomnia and thinning hair tend to accompany menopause. Some evidence suggests that ginseng can help decrease the severity and occurrence of these symptoms, as part of a natural menopause treatment plan.

A systematic review of randomized clinical trials found that in three different trials, Korean red ginseng had the efficacy to boost sexual arousal in menopausal women, increase well-being and general health while decreasing depressive symptoms and better improve menopause symptoms on the Kupperman's index and Menopausal Rating Scale as compared to the placebo group. A fourth study found no significant difference in the frequency of hot flashes between the ginseng and placebo group.

Types of Ginseng

While the Panax family (Asian and American) are the only true types of ginseng due to their high levels of the active ingredient ginsenosides, there are other adaptogenic herbs that have similar properties that are also known as relatives to ginseng.

Asian Ginseng: panax ginseng, also known as red ginseng and Korean ginseng, is the classic and original that has been renown for thousands of years. Often used to boost in Traditional Chinese Medicine for those who are struggling with low Qi, coldness and a yang deficiency, which can display as fatigue. This form can also help with weakness, exhaustion, type 2 diabetes, erectile dysfunction and poor memory.

American Ginseng: panax quinquefolius, grows throughout the northern regions of North America, including New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada. American ginseng has been shown to fight depression, balance blood sugar, support digestive distress caused by anxiety, improve focus and boost the immune system. In comparison, American ginseng is more mild than Asian ginseng but still very therapeutic and usually used to treat yin deficiency instead of yang deficiency.

Siberian Ginseng: eleutherococcus senticocus, grows wild in Russia and Asia, also known as just eleuthro, contains high levels of eleutherosides, which have very similar benefits to ginsenosides found in panax species of ginseng. Studies indicate that Siberian ginseng may increase VO2 max to optimize cardiovascular endurance, improve fatigue and support immunity.

Indian Ginseng: withania somnifera, also known as ashwagandha, is a renowned herb in Ayurveda medicine for enhancing longevity. It has some similar benefits to classic ginseng but also has many differences. It can be taken more on a long-term basis and has been shown to improve thyroid hormone levels, relieve anxiety, balance cortisol, improve cholesterol, regulate blood sugar and improve fitness levels.

Brazilian Ginseng: pfaffia paniculata, also known as suma root, grows throughout the rain forests of South America and means for everything in Portuguese because of its diverse benefits. Suma root contains ecdysterone, which supports healthy levels of testosterone in men and women and may also support muscular health, reduce inflammation, fight cancer, improve sexual performance and boost endurance.

Ginseng History & Interesting Facts

Ginseng was originally used as an herbal medicine in ancient China; There are even written records about its properties dating back to about 100 A.D. By the 16th century, ginseng was so popular that control over the ginseng fields became an issue.

In 2010, nearly all of the world's 80,000 tons of ginseng in international commerce was produced in four countries South Korea, China, Canada and the United States. Today, ginseng is marketed in over 35 countries and sales exceed $2 billion, half coming from South Korea.

Korea continues to be the largest provider of ginseng and China the largest consumer. Today, most North American ginseng is produced in Ontario, British Columbia, and Wisconsin.

Ginseng cultivated in Korea is classified into three types, depending on how it’s processed:

Fresh ginseng is less than four years old.
White ginseng is between four and six years old and is dried after peeling.
Red ginseng is harvested, steamed and dried when it's six years old.
Because people consider the age of the ginseng roots important, a 400-year-old root of Manchurian ginseng from the mountains of China sold for $10,000 per ounce in 1976.



Ginseng may interact with the following medications:

Medications for diabetes
Blood-thinning medications
Antidepressants
Antipsychotic medications
Stimulants
Morphine

Excessive use of ginseng can lead to Ginseng Abuse Syndrome, which has been associated with affective disorder, allergy, cardiovascular and renal toxicity, genital organ bleeding, gynecomastia, hepatotoxicity, hypertension and reproductive toxicity.

To avoid side effects from ginseng, some experts suggest not taking ginseng for more than three to six months at a time. If need be, your doctor may recommend that you take a break and then begin to take ginseng again for a few weeks or months.

After the diagnosis

Because so many factors can affect your blood sugar, problems sometimes arise that require immediate care, such as:

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)



Lots of things can cause your blood sugar to rise, including eating too much, being sick or not taking enough glucose-lowering medication. Watch for signs and symptoms of high blood sugar frequent urination, increased thirst, dry mouth, blurred vision, fatigue and nausea — and check your blood sugar if necessary.

Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS)
This life-threatening condition includes a blood sugar reading higher than 600 mg/dL (33.3 mmol/L). Your blood sugar meter may not provide an accurate reading at this level or it may just read "high." HHNS can cause dry mouth, extreme thirst, drowsiness, confusion, dark urine and convulsions.

HHNS is caused by sky-high blood sugar that turns blood thick and syrupy. It tends to be more common in older people with type 2 diabetes, and it's often preceded by an illness or infection. Call your doctor or seek immediate medical care if you have signs or symptoms of this condition.

Increased ketones in your urine



(diabetic ketoacidosis). If your cells are starved for energy, your body may begin to break down fat. This produces toxic acids known as ketones, which occur more commonly in people with type 1 diabetes.

Watch for thirst or a very dry mouth, frequent urination, vomiting, shortness of breath, fatigue and fruity-smelling breath, and if you notice these signs and symptoms, consult your doctor right away or seek emergency care.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)



If your blood sugar level drops below your target range, it's known as low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your blood sugar level can drop for many reasons, including skipping a meal, unintentionally taking more medication than usual or getting more physical activity than normal.

Watch for signs and symptoms of low blood sugar sweating, shakiness, weakness, hunger, irritability, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, heart palpitations, slurred speech, drowsiness and confusion.

If you have signs or symptoms of low blood sugar, drink or eat something that will quickly raise your blood sugar level fruit juice, glucose tablets, hard candy, regular (not diet) soda or another source of sugar. Retest your blood in 15 minutes to be sure your blood glucose levels have normalized.

If they haven't, treat again and retest in another 15 minutes. If you lose consciousness, a family member or close contact may need to give you an emergency injection of glucagon, a hormone that stimulates the release of sugar into the blood.

Depending on the type of treatment regimen you use to control your diabetes, there are some vitamins and minerals that may be beneficial for your condition.

Before adding any vitamins or adding dietary supplements to your daily diet, discuss these changes with your healthcare team and doctor to ensure they are safe alongside any prescribed medication you're on.

ALA AND GLA
ALA (alpha-lipoic acid) is a versatile and potent antioxidant, and may function to help diabetic neuropathy and reduce pain from free-radical damage.
Also, some studies link ALA to decreased insulin resistance and thus the control of blood sugar.


GLA (gamma-lipoic acid) is another naturally occurring antioxidant that is present in evening primrose oil, borage oil and blackcurrant seed oill and hemp seed oil. GLA is also found in varying amounts in edible hemp seeds, oats, barley, and spirulina. GLA may improve the function of nerves damaged by diabetic neuropathy.

BIOTIN

Biotin works in synergy with insulin in the body, and independently increases the activity of the enzyme glucokinase. Glucokinase is responsible for the first step of glucose utilisatio, and is therefore an essential component of normal bodily functioning.

Glucokinase occurs only in the liver, and in sufferers from diabetes its concentration may be extremely low. Supplements of biotin may have a significant effect on glucose levels for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics.


CARNITINE (L-CARNITINE, ACETYL L-CARNITINE)
Carnitine is required by the body in order to correctly use body fat in the production of energy. It is naturally occurring and derives from hydrophilic amino acids. Diabetics who try carnitine generally respond well, and high levels of fat in the bloodstream (cholesterol and triglycerides) may fall fast.

Carnitine helps to break down fatty acids in the body and binds acyl residues. For these reasons, it may be useful to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis.



CHROMIUM
Chromium is a crucial nutrient in the body's fight against diabetes. By using either brewer's yeast stocked with chromium, or chromium chloride, diabetic patients may be able to improve glucose tolerance, lower their fasting glucose levels, decrease insulin levels and cut cholesterol and triglyceride levels, whilst increasing HDL-cholesterol levels.



Several principal double-blind studies have shown that supplemental chromium may raise glucose tolerance in patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Exercise also increases the concentration of tissue chromium. Chromium may have a role to play in pre-diabetics and women suffering from gestational diabetes.

COENZYME Q10


Coenzyme Q10 is a compound that occurs naturally in the body, and may be able to help with carbohydrate metabolism. It is has been proven that animals suffering from diabetes are coenzyme Q10 deficient.



Clinical trials using coenzyme Q10 suggest that supplementation may significantly lower blood sugar levels. Coenzyme Q10 also oxygenates the blood, and therefore may be able to help in some cases of diabetic retinopathy.

INOSITOL


Inositol is an important part of several key bodily processes including the health of cell membranes and blood cholesterol levels. Furthermore, inositol may have a role to play in reversing the effects of diabetic neuropathy (nervous damage) caused by diabetes.



MANGANESE

A deficiency of manganese is common amongst diabetics, and in some circles it is thought to actually be a part of the cause of diabetes. Manganese could be a key co-factor in the way enzymes within the body handle glucose metabolism.


MAGNESIUM

Magnesium tends to decline in people with diabetes, and may fall to dangerously low levels amongst those suffering from severe diabetic retinopathy.

Magnesium deficiency has been shown to directly influence the blood sugar control of type 2 diabetics.
Magnesium deficiency may interrupt the insulin secretion process, and also increase insulin resistance.
When using supplemental magnesium, diabetics may be able to lower their insulin dosage.



NIACIN


Niacin can be for people with high cholesterol and may be used in combination with circulation treatments.
High levels of niacin may actually impair glucose tolerance and therefore some people with diabetes may be advised not to take it. Speak with your doctor if you are in doubt.

POTASSIUM


Administering insulin to the body, the treatment regime employed by many diabetics, may cause a potassium deficiency. By supplementing a healthy diet with potassium, sufferers from diabetes may improve their sensitivity to insulin, and the effectiveness of the hormone.

TAURINE


Taurine is not used in protein synthesis, but is generally found in protein-rich foods.
Type 1 diabetics often suffer from low taurine levels, and this can in turn affect the thickness of the blood and increase the risk of heart disease. Supplementary taurine for diabetic patients may be able to correct levels of blood viscosity.

VANADIUM


Vanadium supplements may lead to a slight increase in sensitivity to insulin, and may therefore allow diabetic patients to decrease the amount of insulin that they need to keep their blood sugar levels under control. Studies on both animals and humans have proved links between vanadium levels and normal blood glucose.

Food Source :Dill seed
Black pepper
Shellfish
Spinach
Mushrooms
Whole Grains And Cereals
Dairy Products
Ground Parsley
Olive oil
Peanut oil
Corn oil
Soybean oil

VITAMIN B6


Neuropathy, the severe damage caused to the nervous system by high blood sugar levels, may be associated with deficiency of vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine.

Pyridoxine supplements may be able to improve glucose tolerance, particularly for sufferers from gestational diabetes, or impaired glucose tolerance caused by the birth control pill.

Vitamin B6 also has a strong role to play in the prevention of diabetes-related complications.

VITAMIN B12


Vitamin B12 may have a strong role to play when treating diabetic neuropathy.
The presence of vitamin b 12 is necessary for the correct functioning of nerve cells, and therefore taking it as a supplement may help to reduce nerve damage.
In extreme cases, the extra effect of intramuscular B12 may be necessary.

VITAMIN C

Type 1 diabetics generally have low vitamin C levels. By increasing the amount of vitamin c in the bloodstream, the amount of sorbitol may be lowered.



Sorbitol is a harmful sugar when it accumulates, and its presence may lead to increased risk of diabetic complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy and kidney damage. In the case of type 2 diabetics, vitamin c may play a role in improving glucose tolerance.

VITAMIN D


Vitamin D has a number of benefits for your health. Produced by the body in response to sun exposure, it is thought to help boost insulin sensitivity, which is vital for blood glucose regulation.

VITAMIN E


Vitamin E can oxygenate the blood, fight toxins and improve the activity of insulin within the body. When the body has an insufficient amount of vitamin E, internal structures can be damaged by enhanced free-radical damage.

Increasing vitamin E in the bloodstream may decrease the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, and in type 2 diabetics may improve glucose tolerance. Furthermore, the antioxidant nature of vitamin E may reduce the risk of diabetic complications.

ZINC


The presence of a zinc deficiency in the body has also been suggested to contribute to the development of diabetes in some humans.

Zinc itself may be a crucial element in insulin metabolism. Zinc is well-known as a powerful guardian against viral infections, and may also act to protect beta cells from destruction. Type 1 diabetics are often zinc deficient, and supplements have been shown to lower blood sugar levels in some type 1 cases.

According to the 2017 National Diabetes Statistics Report, over 30 million people living in the United States have diabetes. That's almost 10 percent of the U.S. population. And diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, causing, at least in part, over 250,000 deaths in 2015. That's why it's so important to take steps to reverse diabetes and the diabetes epidemic in America.

Type 2 diabetes is a dangerous disease that can lead to many other health conditions when it's not managed properly, including kidney disease, blindness, leg and food amputations, nerve damage, and even death.

Type 2 diabetes is a completely preventable and reversible condition, and with diet and lifestyle changes, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting the disease or reverse the condition if you've already been diagnosed. If you are one of the millions of Americans struggling with diabetes symptoms, begin the steps to reverse diabetes naturally today. With my diabetic diet plan, suggested supplements and increased physical activity, you can quickly regain your health and reverse diabetes the natural way.

The Diabetes Epidemic

Diabetes has grown to epidemic proportions, and the latest statistics revealed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that 30.3 million Americans have diabetes, including the 7.2 million people who weren't even aware of it. Diabetes is affecting people of all ages, including 132,000 children and adolescents younger than 18 years old.

The prevalence of prediabetes is also on the rise, as it's estimated that almost 34 million U.S. adults were prediabetic in 2015. People with prediabetes have blood glucose levels that are above normal but below the defined threshold of diabetes. Without proper intervention, people with prediabetes are very likely to become type 2 diabetics within a decade.

The cost of diabetes to our nation is a staggering $245 billion a year as of 2012. The American Diabetes Association reports that the average medical expenditure for people with diabetes was about $13,700 per year. People with diabetes typically have medical costs that are approximately 2.3 times higher than those without diabetes.



Aside from the financial costs of diabetes, the more frightening findings are the complications and co-existing conditions. In 2014, 7.2 million hospital discharges were reported with diabetes as a listed diagnosis. Patients with diabetes were treated for major cardiovascular diseases, ischemic heart disease, stroke, lower-extremity amputation and diabetic ketoacidosis.

The Cause of Diabetes

Diabetes is an illness related to elevated blood sugar levels. When you stop releasing and responding to normal amounts of insulin after eating foods with carbohydrates, sugar and fats, you have diabetes. Insulin, a hormone that's broken down and transported to cells to be used as energy, is released by the pancreas to help with the storage of sugar and fats. But people with diabetes don't respond to insulin properly, which causes high blood sugar levels and diabetes symptoms.

5-Step Plan to Reverse Diabetes

Step 1: Remove These Foods to Reverse Diabetes Naturally

Certain foods negatively affect your blood sugar levels, cause inflammation and trigger immune responses. To reverse diabetes naturally, the first step is to remove these foods from your diet:

Refined sugar:

Refined sugar rapidly spikes blood glucose, and soda, fruit juice and other sugary beverages are the worst culprits. These forms of sugar enter the bloodstream rapidly and can cause extreme elevations in blood glucose. Even though natural sweeteners like raw honey and maple syrup are better options, they can still affect blood sugar levels, so only use these foods on occasion. Your best option is to switch to stevia, a natural sweetener that won't have as much of an impact.

Grains: Grains, especially gluten-containing grains like wheat, contain large amounts of carbohydrates that are broken down into sugar within only a few minutes of consumption. Gluten can cause intestinal inflammation, which affects hormones like cortisol and leptin, and can lead to spikes in blood sugar. I recommend removing all grains from your diet for 90 days as your body adjusts to this healing program. Then you can try bringing sprouted ancient grains back into your diet in small amounts.

Conventional cow's milk:

Conventional cow's milk and dairy products should be eliminated, especially for people with type 1 diabetes. Dairy can be a fantastic food for balancing blood sugar if it comes from goat's, sheep or A2 cows. But stay away from all other forms of dairy because the A1 casein produced by conventional cows will harm the body and trigger an immune response similar to gluten. When buying dairy, only purchase raw and organic products from pasture-raised animals.

Alcohol:

Alcohol can dangerously increase blood sugar and lead to liver toxicity. Research published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that there was a 43 percent increased incidence of diabetes associated with heavy consumption of alcohol, which is defined as three or more drinks per day.  Beer and sweet liquors are especially high in carbohydrates and should be avoided.

GMO foods:

GMO corn, soy and canola have been linked to kidney and liver disease and may promote diabetes. I suggest removing all GMO foods and all packaged foods from your diet. Opt for products that are labeled organic or GMO-free.

Hydrogenated oils:

Remove hydrogenated, rancid oils from your diet, including vegetable oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil and canola oil. Because these oils are processed, treated at very high temperatures, and combined with bleaching agents and artificial dyes, consuming them has been linked to many health concerns, including diabetes.

Step 2: Incorporate These Foods to Treat Diabetes

To reverse or prevent type 2 diabetes, add the following foods into your diet:

Foods high in fiber:

Research shows that 90 percent of the U.S. population doesn't consume enough fiber on a daily basis. High-fiber foods help slow down glucose absorption, regulate your blood sugar levels and support detoxification. Aim to eat at least 30 grams of fiber per day, which can come from vegetables (like Brussels sprouts, peas and artichokes), avocados, berries, nuts and seeds, especially chia seeds and flaxseeds.

Foods high in chromium:

Chromium is a nutrient that's involved in normal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Foods high in chromium can improve the glucose tolerance factor in your body and naturally balance out blood glucose levels. It plays a role in insulin pathways, helping bring glucose into our cells so it can be used for bodily energy. Broccoli has the highest amounts of chromium, but you can also find it in raw cheese, green beans, brewer's yeast and grass-fed beef.

Magnesium-rich foods:

Magnesium can help regulate blood sugar levels because it plays a role in glucose metabolism. Research shows that diabetes is frequently associated with magnesium deficiency. Eating magnesium-rich foods, like spinach, chard, pumpkin seeds, almonds, yogurt and black beans, can improve type 2 diabetes symptoms.

Healthy fats:

Medium-chained fatty acids found in coconut and red palm oil can help balance blood sugar levels, and they serve as the preferred fuel source for your body rather than sugar. Using coconut milk, ghee and grass-fed butter can also help balance out your blood sugar levels, so include these foods into your meals and smoothies. Some research actually suggests that a high-fat, low carb diet known as the keto diet may be a novel approach to reverse diabetes naturally, although you don't technically have to go into ketosis to achieve the benefits of healthy fats in treating diabetes.

Clean protein:

Eating protein foods has a minimal effect on your blood glucose levels, and it can slow down the absorption of sugar. Some of the best sources of clean protein include wild-caught fish, which contains omega-3 fats that reduce inflammation, grass-fed beef, organic chicken, lentils, eggs and bone broth.

Foods with a low glycemic load:

The glycemic index of a food tells you about the blood glucose-raising potential of the food. Foods that have a high glycemic index are converted into sugar after being eaten more quickly than low glycemic foods. If you are fighting diabetes, stick to low glycemic foods like non-starchy vegetables, stone fruits and berries, nuts, seeds, avocados, coconut, organic meat, eggs, wild-caught fish, and raw pastured dairy.

One benefit of these foods is that they generally promote weight loss, which is a major factor in reversing diabetes. A study following 306 diabetic individuals found that losing weight under a structured program (with the supervision of a primary care physician) resulted in almost half of the participants going into total diabetes remission. This means they were able to stay off their medications permanently (assuming they stayed on a healthy diet). Quality of life also improved by over seven points on average for the patients on the dietary regimen, while it decreased by about three points for the control group.

Step 3: Take These Supplements for Diabetes

1. Chromium Picolinate

Taking 200 micrograms of chromium picolinate three times daily with meals can help improve insulin sensitivity. A review published in Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics evaluated 13 studies that reported significant improvement in glycemic control and substantial reductions in hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia after patients used chromium picolinate supplementation. Other positive outcomes from supplementing with chromium picolinate included reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels and reduced requirements for hypoglycemic medication.

2. Cinnamon

Cinnamon has the ability to lower blood sugar levels and improve your sensitivity to insulin. A study conducted at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif. found that the consumption of cinnamon is associated with a statistically significant decrease in plasma glucose levels, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Cinnamon consumption also helped increase HDL cholesterol levels.

To take advantage of the many health benefits of cinnamon, add one teaspoon to food, smoothies or tea. You can also take one to two drops of cinnamon essential oil internally by adding it to food or tea, or combine three drops of cinnamon oil with half a teaspoon of coconut oil and massage it into your wrists and abdomen.

3. Fish Oil

Taking a fish oil supplement can help improve markers of diabetes by reducing triglyceride levels and raising HDL cholesterol levels. Research published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences shows that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are necessary for proper insulin function, preventing insulin intolerance and reducing inflammation. (16) To use fish oil as a natural remedy for diabetes, take 1,000 milligrams daily.

4. Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant that helps turn glucose into fuel for the body. It effectively improves insulin sensitivity and reduces symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, such as weakness, pain and numbness that's caused by nerve damage. Although we make alpha lipoic acid and it can be found in some food sources, like broccoli, spinach and tomatoes, taking an ALA supplement will increase the amount that circulates in your body, which can be extremely beneficial when trying to reverse diabetes naturally.

5. Bitter Melon Extract

Bitter melon helps lower blood glucose levels, and it regulates the body's use of insulin. Studies show that bitter melon extract can help reduce and manage symptoms of diabetes, including insulin resistance, heart complications, kidney damage, blood vessel damage, eye disorders and hormone irregularities. 

Step 4: Follow This Eating Plan to Reverse Diabetes

If you want to balance your blood sugar and see results quickly, then follow this diabetes eating plan as closely as possible. Focus on getting plenty of clean protein, healthy fats and fiber into every meal, which can help reverse diabetes.

Start by trying these first three days of the plan, and then use a combination of these foods going forward. Review the list of foods that you should be eating from Step 2, and bring those healthy, diabetes-fighting foods into your diet as well. It may seem like a major change to your diet at first, but after some time you will begin to notice the positive effects these foods are having on your body.



Step 5: Exercise to Balance Blood Sugar Exercise reduces chronic disease and can help reverse diabetes naturally. Studies show that exercise improves blood glucose control and can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes, while also positively affecting your blood pressure, heart health, cholesterol levels and quality of life.

Exercise naturally supports your metabolism by burning fat and building lean muscle. To prevent and reverse diabetes, make exercise a part of your daily routine. This doesn't necessary mean that you have to spend time at the gym. Simple forms of physical activity, like getting outside and walking for 20 to 30 minute every day, can be extremely beneficial, especially after meals. Practicing yoga or stretching at home or in a studio is another great option.

In addition to walking and stretching exercises, try interval training cardio, like burst training, or weight training three to five days a week for 20-40 minutes. Burst training can help you burn up to three times more body fat than traditional cardio and can naturally increase insulin sensitivity. You can do this on a spin bike with intervals, or you can try burst training at home.

Strength training using free weights or machines is also recommended because it helps you build and maintain muscle, which supports balanced blood sugar and sugar metabolism.

Final Thoughts

• More than 30 million people nearly 10 percent of the population have diabetes in the U.S., including children. Almost 7.2 million of those people aren't even aware of it.
• Another 34 million adults are prediabetic.
• It's the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. and costs hundreds of billions of dollars per year.
• Type 1 diabetes typically occurs before someone turns 20 and is rarely reversed, but it can be managed through diet and lifestyle changes.
• Type 2 diabetes is more common and usually occurs in people over 40, especially if they're overweight.
• In order to reverse diabetes naturally, remove foods like refined sugar, grains, conventional cow's milk, alcohol, GMO foods and hydrogenated oils from your diet; incorporate healthy foods like foods high in fiber, chromium, magnesium, healthy fats and clean protein, along with foods with low glycemic loads; take supplements for diabetes; follow my diabetic eating plan; and exercise to balance blood sugar.

Why is foot care important?

If you have diabetes, nerve damage, circulation problems, and infections can lead to serious foot problems. However, you can take precautions to maintain healthy feet. Managing your diabetes and maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps keep your feet healthy. This should include:

• regular medical exams, including foot checks at every visit and checking your ABCs (A1c, blood pressure, and cholesterol)
• monitoring your blood sugar daily
• regular exercise
• eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables

You can help prevent serious foot problems by following a good foot care regimen.

Daily foot care



Here are a few foot care habits you can adopt and try to do every day.

1. Inspect your feet
Check your feet and toes, inspecting the tops, sides, soles, heels, and the area in between the toes. If you're physically unable to inspect your own feet, use a mirror or ask someone to help. Contact your doctor immediately if you discover any sores, redness, cuts, blisters, or bruises.

2. Wash your feet
Wash your feet every day in warm water with mild soap. Hot water and harsh soaps can damage your skin. Check the water temperature with your fingers or elbow before putting your feet in. Your diabetes may make it difficult to sense water temperature with your feet.

3. Dry your feet
Pat your feet to dry them and make sure to dry well. Infections tend to develop in moist areas, so make sure you dry the area between your toes well.

4. Moisturize dry skin
If the skin on your feet feels rough or dry, use lotion or oil. Do not use lotion between your toes.

Healthy foot habits



Following good foot care habits will go a long way toward keeping your feet healthy. Here are a few helpful tips.

• Antiseptic solutions can burn your skin. Never use them on your feet without your doctor's approval.
• Never use a heating pad, hot water bottle, or electric blanket on your feet.
• Avoid walking barefoot. Most people know to avoid hot pavement or sandy beaches, but even walking barefoot around the house can cause sores or injuries that can get infected.
• Protect your feet from heat and cold.
• Never attempt to remove corns, calluses, warts, or other foot lesions yourself. Don't use chemical wart removers, razor blades, corn plasters, or liquid corn or callus removers. See your doctor or podiatrist.
• Don't sit with your legs crossed or stand in one position for long periods of time.

Toenail care

It's possible for people with diabetes to perform routine toenail care. But visual difficulty, nerve problems, or circulatory changes in the legs or feet can make this unsafe.

If you're able to safely trim your toenails yourself, doing so properly will help you avoid getting an ulcer or foot sore. Make sure to consult with your healthcare provider to see if it's safe for you to perform routine toenail care. Ask them to show you the correct way.

Here are a few tips for proper toenail care:

• Trim your toenails after washing your feet, when your nails are soft.
• Cut straight across rather than in a curved fashion to help prevent ingrown toenails.
• Don't cut into the corners. Use an emery board to smooth the edges.
• Be careful not to cut toenails too short.
• Have your toenails trimmed by a foot doctor or another healthcare provider if you can't see well, or if your nails are thick or yellowed.

Footwear: Shoes and socks



If you have neuropathy, or nerve damage that has affected foot sensitivity, you may overlook cuts or bumps. You can help protect your feet by wearing shoes at all times.

• Choose comfortable, well-fitting shoes with plenty of room, especially in the toe box. Never buy tight shoes hoping they will stretch.
• Do not wear shoes made out of plastic or other materials that do not breathe.
  Choose leather, canvas, or suede.
• Avoid thong sandals, flip-flops, pointed-toe and open-toe shoes, and very high heels.
• Wear shoes that can be adjusted with laces, buckles, or Velcro.
• Inspect the inside of your shoes every day for tears or bumps that may cause pressure or irritation.
• If you have nerve damage, give your feet a break or change shoes after five hours to change the pressure points on different areas of your feet.
• If you experience repeated problems with your feet, ask your doctor if special shoes would help.
• Socks can provide an extra layer of soft protection between your foot and your shoe.
• Wear clean, dry socks, or non-binding pantyhose.
• Avoid socks or hosiery with seams that can cause additional pressure points or
  are too tight on the leg.
• Wear socks to bed if your feet are cold.

Signs and symptoms of foot problems



It's important to recognize early warning signs of foot problems, such as:

• burning, tingling, or painful feet
• loss of sensation to heat, cold, or touch
• changes to the color or shape of your feet
• loss of hair on the toes, feet, and lower legs
• thickening and yellowing of the toenails
• onset of red spots, blisters, sores, ulcers, infected corns, or ingrown toenails

If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. Delay may result in serious health complications.

Potential complications

Following the tips above can help you to avoid foot problems. As stated above, high blood sugar levels over time can cause nerve damage and circulation problems. These problems can cause or contribute to foot problems. Left unnoticed or untreated, sores, ingrown toenails, and other problems can lead to infection. Poor circulation makes healing an infection difficult. So it's best to avoid them if possible.

Infections that do not heal can cause skin and tissue to die and turn black. This is called gangrene. Treatment can involve surgery to amputate a toe, foot, or part of a leg.

Visiting the doctor

A doctor should examine your feet at every visit and do a thorough foot exam once a year. If you have a history of foot problems, you should be checked more often. Your health care provider should also give you information on foot care and answer all your questions. Report any corns, calluses, sores, cuts, bruises, infections, or foot pain.

If necessary, your doctor can recommend a podiatrist who specializes in diabetic foot care or give you information about special shoes that may help.

Remember: Diabetes-related foot problems can worsen very quickly and are difficult to treat, so it's important to seek prompt medical attention.

Neuropathy refers to any condition that damages nerve cells. These cells play a critical role in touch, sensation, and movement.

Diabetic neuropathy is damage of the nerves that's caused by diabetes. Scientists believe that the high content of blood sugar in the blood of a person with diabetes damages nerves over time.



There are several different types of neuropathies. They include:

• peripheral: pain and numbness in the extremities, including arms, hands, legs, feet, and toes
• proximal: pain and numbness in the upper legs, specifically the buttocks, thighs, and hips
• autonomic: damage to nerves of the autonomic nervous system, which control sexual response, sweating, and urinary and digestive function
• focal: sudden loss of function in nerves causing pain and weakness of the muscles

Neuropathy is one of the common effects of diabetes. It's estimated that 60 to 70 percent Trusted Source of people with diabetes will develop some sort of neuropathy throughout their lives.

By 2050, it's estimated that over 48 million people Trusted Source in the United States will be diagnosed with diabetes. That means in the future, anywhere from 29 to 34 million Americans could be affected by diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic neuropathy is a serious and common complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It's a type of nerve damage caused by long-term high blood sugar levels. The condition usually develops slowly, sometimes over the course of several decades.


If you have diabetes and notice numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in your hands or feet, you should see your doctor. These are early symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. The danger is usually when you can't feel pain and an ulcer develops on your foot.

In cases of severe or prolonged peripheral neuropathy, you may be vulnerable to injuries or infections. In serious cases, poor wound healing or infection can lead to amputation.

There are different types of diabetic neuropathy that affect different areas of your body, causing a variety of symptoms. If you have diabetes, it's important to regularly check your blood glucose levels and contact your doctor if have any symptoms of neuropathy.



What are the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy?

It's common for symptoms of neuropathy to appear gradually. In many cases, the first type of nerve damage to occur involves the nerves of the feet. This can lead to the symptom of sometimes painful pins and needles in your feet.

Symptoms vary depending on the areas affected. Common signs and symptoms of the different types of diabetic neuropathy include:

• sensitivity to touch
• loss of sense of touch
• difficulty with coordination when walking
• numbness or pain in your hands or feet
• burning sensation in feet, especially at night
• muscle weakness or wasting
• bloating or fullness
• nausea, indigestion, or vomiting
• diarrhea or constipation
• dizziness when you stand up
• excessive or decreased sweating
• bladder problems, such as incomplete bladder emptying
• vaginal dryness
• erectile dysfunction
• inability to sense low blood glucose
• vision trouble, such as double vision
• increased heart rate

What are the different types of diabetic neuropathy?

The term neuropathy is used to describe several types of nerve damage. In people with diabetes, there are four main types of neuropathy.

1. Peripheral neuropathy

The most common form of neuropathy is peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy usually affects the feet and legs, but it can also affect the arms or hands. Symptoms are varied, and can be mild to severe. They include:

• numbness
• tingling or burning sensations
• extreme sensitivity to touch
• insensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
• sharp pain or cramping
• muscle weakness
• loss of balance or coordination

Some people experience symptoms more often at night.

If you have peripheral neuropathy, you may not feel an injury or sore on your foot. People with diabetes often have poor circulation, which makes it more difficult for wounds to heal. This combination increases the risk for infection. In extreme cases, infection can lead to amputation.

2. Autonomic neuropathy

The second most common type of neuropathy in people with diabetes is autonomic neuropathy. The autonomic nervous system runs other systems in your body over which you have no conscious control. Many organs and muscles are controlled by it, including your:

• digestive system
• sweat glands
• sex organs and bladder
• cardiovascular system
• Digestion problems

Nerve damage to the digestive system may cause:

• constipation
• diarrhea
• swallowing trouble
• gastroparesis, which causes the stomach to empty too slowly into the small intestines

Gastroparesis causes a delay in digestion, which can worsen over time, leading to frequent nausea and vomiting. You'll typically feel full too quickly and be unable to finish a meal.

Delayed digestion often makes it more difficult to control blood glucose levels, too, with frequently alternating high and low readings.

Also, symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as sweating and heart palpitations, can go undetected in people with autonomic neuropathy. This can mean not noticing when you have low blood sugar, increasing the risk for a hypoglycemic emergency.

Sexual and bladder problems

Autonomic neuropathy may also cause sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, or difficulty achieving orgasm. Neuropathy in the bladder can cause incontinence or make it difficult to fully empty your bladder.

Cardiovascular problems

Damage to the nerves that control your heart rate and blood pressure can make them respond more slowly. You may experience a drop in blood pressure and feel lightheaded or dizzy when you stand up after sitting or lying down, or when you exert yourself. Autonomic neuropathy can also cause an abnormally fast heart rate.

Autonomic neuropathy can make it difficult to identify some of the symptoms of a heart attack. You may not feel any chest pain when your heart isn't getting enough oxygen. If you have autonomic neuropathy, you should know the other warning signs for heart attack, including:

• profuse sweating
• pain in the arm, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• shortness of breath
• nausea
• lightheadedness

3. Proximal neuropathy

A rare form of neuropathy is proximal neuropathy, also known as diabetic amyotrophy. This form of neuropathy is more commonly seen in adults over 50 years old with fairly well controlled type 2 diabetes, and more often in men.

It often affects the hips, buttocks, or thighs. You may experience sudden and sometimes severe pain. Muscle weakness in your legs may make it difficult to stand up without assistance. Diabetic amyotrophy usually affects only one side of the body.

After the onset of symptoms, they usually get worse and then eventually begin to improve slowly. Fortunately, most people recover within a few years, even without treatment.

4. Focal neuropathy

Focal neuropathy, or mononeuropathy, occurs when there's damage to one specific nerve or group of nerves, causing weakness in the affected area. This occurs most often in your hand, head, torso, or leg. It appears suddenly and is usually very painful.

Like proximal neuropathy, most focal neuropathies go away in a few weeks or months and leave no lasting damage. The most common type is carpal tunnel syndrome.

Although most don't feel the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, about 25 percent of people with diabetes have some degree of nerve compression at the wrist.

Symptoms of focal neuropathy include:

• pain, numbness, tingling in fingers
• an inability to focus
• double vision
• aching behind the eyes
• Bell's palsy
• pain in isolated areas, such as the front of the thigh, lower back, pelvic region, chest, stomach, inside the foot, outside the lower leg, or weakness in big toe

What causes diabetic neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy is caused by high blood sugar levels sustained over a long period of time. Other factors can lead to nerve damage, such as:

• damage to the blood vessels caused by high cholesterol levels
• mechanical injury, such as injuries caused by carpal tunnel syndrome
• lifestyle factors, such as smoking or alcohol use

Low levels of vitamin B-12 can also lead to neuropathy. Metformin, a common medication used to manage diabetes, can decrease levels of vitamin B-12. You can ask your doctor for a simple blood test to identify any vitamin deficiencies.

What else can cause neuropathy?

Neuropathy is most commonly caused by diabetes, but it may be caused by other conditions, including:

• alcohol use disorder
• exposure to toxins
• tumors
• abnormal levels of vitamin B and vitamin E
• trauma that causes pressure to nerves
• autoimmune diseases and infections
• side effects of certain medications, such as chemotherapy

How is diabetic neuropathy diagnosed?

A doctor will determine whether or not you have neuropathy, starting by asking about your symptoms and medical history. You'll also have a physical examination. They'll check your level of sensitivity to temperature and touch, your heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tone.

Your doctor may do a filament test to test the sensitivity in your feet. For this, they'll use a nylon fiber to check your limbs for any loss of sensation. A tuning fork may be used to test your vibration threshold. Your doctor may also test your ankle reflexes.

How is diabetic neuropathy treated?

There's no cure for diabetic neuropathy, but you can slow its progression. Keeping your blood sugar levels within a healthy range is the best way to decrease the likelihood of developing diabetic neuropathy or slow its progression. It can also relieve some symptoms.

But, according to guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology Trusted Source, the most effective medications for treating painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) include:

• pregabalin (Lyrica)
• gabapentin (Neurontin)
• pregabalin (Lyrica)
• gabapentin (Neurontin)
• duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• venlafaxine (Effexor)
• amitriptyline

Other suggested treatment options may include:

• topical medications, like capsaicin (Qutenza)

Glucose management is a highly effective way of reducing symptoms and the progression of neuropathy. Managing your glucose levels should always be a part of your treatment plan.

Pain management

Medications may be used to treat pain caused by diabetic neuropathy. Talk to your doctor about the available medications and their potential side effects. Several medications have been shown to help with symptoms. You may also want to consider alternative therapies, such as acupuncture. Some research Trusted Source has found capsaicin to be helpful. Alternative therapies may provide additional relief when used in conjunction with medication.

Managing complications

Nerve damage from diabetes can't be reversed. This is because the body can't naturally repair nerve tissues that have been damaged.

However, researchers are investigating methods to treat nerve damage caused by diabetes.

While you can't reverse the damage from neuropathy, there are ways to help manage the condition, including:

• lowering your blood sugar
• treating nerve pain
• regularly checking your feet to make sure they are free of injury, wounds, or infection

Managing your blood glucose is important because it can help prevent additional damage to your nerves. You can better manage your blood glucose through the following methods:

• Avoid foods high in excess sugars, including sodas, sweetened drinks and coffees, fruit juices, and processed snacks and candy bars.
• Eat foods high in fiber. These foods typically help keep blood sugars at a steady state.
• Eat foods that contain healthy fats, like those from olive oil and nuts, and choose lean proteins like chicken and turkey.
• Eat vegetables and plant-based proteins regularly, such as beans and tofu.
• Exercise at least five times a week, 30 minutes each time. Include aerobic activity and weight training in your routine.
• Monitor your blood sugar according to your doctor's recommendation and record your levels. This will help you identify patterns and unusual changes in your blood sugar levels.
• Take insulin or oral medications, such as metformin (Glucophage), as instructed by your endocrinologist or primary care doctor.

In addition to managing your blood glucose levels, it's important to pay attention to your feet and legs. Nerves in the legs and feet can be damaged, which can lead to reduced feeling. This means that you may not notice it if you cut or injure your foot or leg.

To prevent damage to your feet or legs:

• regularly check your feet for open wounds or sores
• clip your toenails
• wash your feet with soap and water regularly
• regularly visit a podiatrist
• avoid walking barefoot

Depending on your type of neuropathy, your doctor can suggest medications, therapies, or lifestyle changes that may help deal with symptoms and ward off complications.

For example, if you have problems with digestion as a result of your neuropathy, your doctor may suggest you eat smaller meals more often and limit the amount of fiber and fat in your diet.

If you have vaginal dryness, your doctor may suggest a lubricant. If you have erectile dysfunction, they may prescribe medication that can help.

Peripheral neuropathy is very common in people with diabetes and can lead to serious foot complications, which in turn can lead to amputation. If you have peripheral neuropathy, it's important to take special care of your feet and to quickly get help if you have an injury or sore.

Quitting smoking and exercising regularly are also parts of a comprehensive treatment plan. Always talk to your doctor or healthcare team before beginning a new fitness routine. You may also ask your doctor about complementary treatments or supplements for neuropathy.

What's my outlook?

Diabetic neuropathy is common and can't be reversed. However, you can manage it through a variety of ways. These include:

• managing blood glucose levels
• taking medications your doctor has prescribed for the treatment of neuropathy
• regularly self-checking your feet and legs for injury
• talking with your doctor and working with them to manage your condition