Type 2 Diabetes - Is Bitter Melon Helpful at Lowering Blood Sugar? by Beverleigh H Piepers

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When dealing with Type 2 diabetes, diet and exercise are the two most important areas you will need to focus on in your journey to lower your blood sugar. A lot of changes will have to be made in your lifestyle, especially with regards to what you eat. One of the options you may come across when looking for diabetes helpful foods is bitter melon. It is not only known for its distinctive flavor and appearance, but it may also have a positive effect on your health.

Bitter melon is a plant commonly grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. Bitter melon originated in India and was introduced into China as far back as the 14th century. It has a similar look to cucumber with rough and wrinkled skin. Other names for the fruit include...

• bitter gourd,
• bitter apple,
• balsam apple,
• bitter squash,
• African cucumber,
• balsam pear, and
• karela (in India).

It will interest you to know bitter melon is commonly featured in traditional medicines for treating several illnesses; one of which is Type 2 diabetes.

The Effect of Bitter Melon. It is known to boost weight loss and help in the control of blood sugar. Studies have shown bitter melon can be useful in improving glucose intolerance. And this is closely tied to the type of chemicals found in the plant. These chemicals are similar to insulin in the way they act. They do not only help to push more sugar into the cells but also assists in suppressing the conversion of other stored nutrients into sugar.

From the result of one study carried out on a group of people with Type 2 diabetes, it is also believed bitter lemon could help to lower the hemoglobin A1c levels (HbA1c levels).

How to Use. Bitter melon is available as a supplement in a capsule form but there is still no concrete evidence on its effectiveness for people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Some factors might come into play such as your overall health, age, and whether you are suffering from any other illness.

If you decide to try bitter melon, make sure you follow the instructions on the product package. It is also a good idea to check with your doctor before taking it. Even though the supplements appear to be safe, you do not want to find it does not interact with your prescribed medications.

Apart from the supplement form, you can also try the fruit, flower, juice or tea form, depending on your preference. The plant/fruit is commonly found at an Asian or African grocery store. If you decide to prepare the fruit as many people do, make sure you remove the seeds before cooking it.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

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Type 2 Diabetes - Five Simple Dietary Changes You Can Make to Improve Your Blood Sugar by Beverleigh H Piepers

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Making changes to your diet can be hard, and it can be intimidating. You may not know where to start, and all of the recommendations you find online can make things super confusing. The good news is improving your Type 2 diabetes can be done with just a handful of simple yet very effective dietary changes.

Let us take the confusion out of which foods you should and should not enjoy by talking about five simple yet effective dietary changes you can make to improve your blood sugar levels...

1. Eliminate Fruit Juice. Fruit juice often contains lots of added sugar. Pair added sugar with the sugar naturally found in fruit, and you are bound to experience a spike in blood sugar. Avoid fruit juice, and choose water, unsweetened sparkling water, or sweeten the water with freshly squeezed fruit juice.

2. Read Food Labels. Reading food labels can be your best tool when it comes to controlling your blood sugar! Checking food labels for added sugars by looking for anything ending in "ose" can be a great way to eliminate foods containing added sweeteners. Make it a habit to read the back of every label before you purchase a packaged food item. The more you do this, the better you will become at detecting added sugars!

3. Choose Complex Carbs versus Refined Carbs. Choose complex carbs like rolled oats, quinoa, and brown rice over white pasta, white rice, bread, and pastries. Complex carbs will be absorbed more slowly and are less likely to cause a blood sugar spike. Plus, complex carbs like quinoa or brown rice in their whole and natural state will not contain added sugar as bread and pastries will.

4. Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup. High fructose corn syrup is found in soda, crackers, candy, and even bread! It is one of the leading causes of obesity and can lead to Type 2 diabetes. It is essential to stay away from high fructose corn syrup at all costs. Instead, choose foods containing natural sweeteners such as...

• fruit,
• pure maple syrup,
• raw honey, or
• stevia.

However, keep in mind foods like dried fruit and honey can cause blood sugar imbalances when consumed in excess and these foods should only be eaten once in a while.

5. Stay Away from Trans and Hydrogenated Fats. Trans and hydrogenated fats are commonly found in fried and processed foods. Fast food items are notorious for being full of these damaging fats that can help cause...

• obesity,
• heart disease, and can
• trigger inflammation.

These fats can also increase your cholesterol level. Stay away from these fats, and choose healthier options such as...

• extra virgin olive oil,
• avocados,
• nuts,
• chia, and
• flaxseeds.

Take your health into your own hands and make a difference in your health and your life. Start by making one change a week until you have made all five. In just a short amount of time, you could have better control of your Type 2 diabetes, and living your healthiest life!

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Beverleigh_H_Piepers/123142
http://EzineArticles.com/?Type-2-Diabetes---Five-Simple-Dietary-Changes-You-Can-Make-to-Improve-Your-Blood-Sugar&id=10083457