Diabetes Summary
Spinach and broccoli are rich in ALA, chromium, and magnesium which can help prevent and treat Type 2 diabetes. Chicory, Ginseng, Coccinia Indica, Gymnema, Aloe, and Opuntia have strong antidiabetic effects. They help regulate blood sugar and reduce hyperglycemia and diabetes symptoms through several different actions such as increasing glucose uptake by tissues. Vitamin D can reduce the risk of the occurence of type 1 diabetes (by way of infant and maternal consumption) and may help manage it. Vitamin D and other nutrients in dairy products- particularly yogurt and colostrum- help prevent type 2 diabetes. Orlistat, a weight loss drug, can help treat and prevent type 2 diabetes. Since diabetes is correlated with poor gut health, Lactobacillus, a probiotic, helps prevent Type 1 diabetes and helps improve Type 2, and possibly Type 1, symptoms.
SOURCES
ALA, Chromium, Magnesium (Type 2):
(Chaudhary, Sharma, and Bansal, 2010), (Dam et al., 2006), (Dong et al., 2011), (Evans and Goldfine, 2004), (Ghosh et al., 2002), (Guerrero-Romero and Rodríguez-Morán, 2005), (Harding et al., 2008), (Kao et al., 1999), (Kim et al., 2010), (Konrad et al., 1999), (Larsson and Wolk, 2007), (Lopez-Ridaura et al., 2004), (Martin et al., 2006), (Packer, Kraemer, and Rimbach, 2001), (Schulze et al., 2007), (Song et al., 2006), (Timimi et al., 1998), (Weng et al., 2012), (Ziegler et al., 2006)
Chicory or Cichorium intybus:
(Ali, 2012), (Azay-Milhau et al., 2013), (Ghamarian et al., 2012), (Khaksari et al., 2001), (Kim and Shin, 1996), (Ning et al., 2017), (Nowrouzi et al., 2017), (Pushparaj et al., 2007), (Samarghandian, Borji, and Tabasi, 2013), (Ziamajidi et al., 2013)
Ginseng:
(Attele et al., 2002), (Hong et al., 2012), (Hyangju et al., 2014), (Kim et al., 2011), (Lee et al., 2009), (Luo and Luo, 2006), (Ma et al., 2008), (Oh et al., 2014), (Vuksan et al., 2000), (Vuksan et al., 2008), (Xie et al., 2004), (Xie et al., 2007), (Xie et al., 2012), (Yuan et al., 2012)
Coccinia indica (Ivy Gourd):
(Ajay, 2009), (Balaraman et al., 2010), (Jose and Usha, 2010), (Manjula and Ragavan, 2007), (Niazi et al., 2009), (Pari and Venkateswaran, 2003), (Ramakrishnan et al., 2011), (Venkateswaran and Pari, 2002)
Gymnema Sylvestre:
(Al-Romaiyan et al., 2010), (Baskaran et al., 1990), (Joffe and Freed, 2001), (Daisy, Eliza, and Farook, 2009), (Kang et al., 2012), (Shimizu et al., 1997), (Sugihara et al., 2000), (Thakur et al., 2012)
Aloe Vera:
(Beppu et al., 2006), (Bunyapraphatsara et al., 1996), (Kim et al., 2009), (Okyar et al., 2001), (Rajasekaran et al., 2006), (Tanaka et al., 2006), (Yongchaiyudha et al., 1996)
Opuntia or Nopal:
(Andrade-Cetto and Wiedenfeld, 2011), (Budinsky et al., 2011), (Hahm, Park, and Son, 2011), (Hwang, Kang, and Lim, 2017), (Lopez, 2007), (Munari, Lastra, and Andraca, 1992), (Trejo-González et al., 1996), (Wolfram et al., 2002), (Zhao et al., 2011)
Vitamin D (Type 1 Diabetes):
(Bailey et al., 2007), (Bener et al., 2009), (Cooper et al., 2011), (Danescu, Levy, and Levy, 2009), (Holick, 2004), (Hyppönen et al., 2001), (Mathieu et al., 2005), (Mohr et al., 2008)
Yogurt & Colostrum (Type 2 Diabetes):
(Aune et al., 2013), (Chagas et al., 2012), (Choi et al., 2005), (Díaz-López et al., 2016), (Gao et al., 2013), (Gijsbers et al., 2016), (Kayaniyil et al., 2010), (Knekt et al., 2008), (Liu et al., 2006), (Malik et al., 2011), (Margolis et al., 2011), (Mitri, Muraru, and Pittas, 2011), (O’Connor et al., 2014), (Pittas et al., 2007), (Tong et al., 2011), (Tremblay and Gilbert, 2009), (Zhang et al., 2015), (Zong et al., 2014)
Orlistat (Type 2):
(Halpern et al., 2003), (Hanefeld and Sachse, 2002), (Heymsfield et al., 2000), (Hollander et al., 1998), (Jacob et al., 2009), (Kelley et al., 2002), (Kelley et al., 2004), (Torgerson et al., 2004)
Lactobacillus (Type 1):
(Boerner and Sarvetnick, 2011), (Brugman et al., 2006), (Dunne et al., 2014), (Giongo et al., 2011), (Kostic et al., 2015), (Lau et al., 2011), (Murri et al., 2013), (Knekt et al., 2008), (Liu et al., 2006), (Malik et al., 2011), (Margolis et al., 2011), (Soyucen et al., 2013), (Valladares et al., 2010)
Lactobacillus (Type 2):
(Ejtahed et al., 2011), (Kootte et al., 2011), (Larsen et al., 2010), (Yun, Park and Kang, 2009)
Foods That Help Diabetes for T2 see Weight Loss (if necessary)
Ginseng & Coccinia Indica
120 caps
Antidiabetic effects with improved glucose regulation
GINSENG COMPLEXIVY GOURD (COCCINIA) LEARN MORE
Colostrum, Yogurt, Vit D
50g
T2 diabetes: dairy nutrients. T1 diabetes: Vitamin D
COLOSTRUMVITAMIN D LEARN MORE
Orlistat & Lactobacillus
120 caps
T2: Orlistat (weight loss drug). T1 & T2: Lactobacillus
ORLISTATLACTOBACILLUS LEARN MORE
Opuntia & Broccoli
2 fl oz
T2: broccoli nutrients. T1 + T2: Opuntia cactus
OPUNTIA EXTRACTBROCCOLI LEARN MOREOther Important Information
A good source of vitamin D, A, and omega-3s, cod liver oil, when consumed by early infants or pregnant mothers helps reduce risk of Type 1 diabetes (Stene et al., 2000).
Other good sources of magnesium and fiber, important nutrients for Type 2 particularly, are almonds and flaxseed. If you still aren't getting enough fiber in your diet, consider a fiber supplement; fiber is crucial in managing and preventing both types of diabetes, although moreso for Type 2.
Carbs should be limited because of their high glycemic index, but if you do consume carbs then high fiber foods like oats are the better choice.
Sources
Dark chocolate, especially high cocoa dark chocolate, may be beneficial for both types of diabetes. A higher cocoa percentage means more beneficial flavanols and less sugar.
Sources
Limiting unhealthy foods like saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar is necessary. Limit foods that spike blood sugar like foods high in simple carbohydrates.