(Originally published in 2021; Updated in 2025)
Jerusalem artichoke and asparagus contain inulin, a soluble fibre that stabilizes blood glucose levels; this helps to prevent both hyper (high) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Most diabetics who seek the advice of a natural health care provider are already on prescription blood sugar lowering pills or insulin injections and are looking for ways to control their blood sugar levels more naturally. The good news is that this is indeed possible and well worth the effort. Regardless of the type of diabetes, improved blood sugar control is possible with the natural approach. In many cases, oral hypoglycemic agents and even insulin shots can be significantly reduced or eliminated.
Normal fasting blood sugar runs between 3.3 and 6.0 MMOL/L (millimoles per liter). Anything above that reading is referred to as diabetes mellitus. There are several types of diabetes.
Types of Diabetes
TYPE 1 (Juvenile) – or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) occurs most often in children and adolescents and is caused by the body’s failure to produce insulin. About 10% of all diabetics have this form of the disease and usually need insulin injections for the rest of their lives. IDDM is an autoimmune disease thought by some researchers to be linked to an allergy to cow’s milk or other unsuspected foods and by others to a virus or drug reaction.
TYPE II (Adult) – or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) usually develops in people 40 years or older and is usually related to being overweight. Approximately 90% of all diabetics have NIDDM and insulin resistance causes their disease. This means that enough or even too much insulin is produced but the body’s cells are somehow resistant to its action. Most cases of Type II diabetes are thought to be controllable almost entirely by diet.
According to a 2004 study in the British Journal of Medicine, Type II diabetes in children is on the rise and this has been associated with the expanding prevalence of childhood obesity and partly linked to consumption of soft drinks.
Gestational Diabetes is a transient form of diabetes that occurs in approximately 4% of pregnant women who go back to having normal blood sugar levels after delivery. They have an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future.
The long-term complications of diabetes include coronary artery disease, hypertension, severe circulation problems, peripheral neuropathy, kidney failure, diabetic retinopathy (retinal disease) and loss of vision. These can all be controlled or prevented by normalizing blood sugar levels.
Most Effective Diet and Lifestyle Strategies to Heal Diabetes
- Cardiovascular fitness is a very important component of any treatment to control diabetes naturally. Even if you have never exercised, you can get started with a good walking program. Working out with a personal trainer may be ideal but possibly too expensive for many to entertain. Some sort of organized fitness activity is, however, within the budget of most people.
- Cigarettes contain added sugar and are contaminated by fungi and their toxins. They must be eliminated because they can make blood sugar control by diet and nutritional supplements virtually impossible.
- Eliminate all sources of simple carbohydrates and follow a low glycemic index diet. Get food allergy testing done because allergies can also cause blood sugar control havoc.
- Get lab tests including blood, urine, and hair mineral analysis to assess the levels of both essential nutrients and toxins. Blood tests for hormones are also helpful.
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Consume therapeutic foods:
- Brewer’s Yeast: 1 Tbsp. twice daily – rich in chromium.
- Legumes: 1+ cups daily – slow carb absorption.
- Onions & Garlic: ½ clove twice daily – regulate insulin clearance.
- Aloe Vera Gel: ½ tsp twice daily – stimulates insulin production.
- Fenugreek Seed: ½ oz twice daily – enhances insulin sensitivity.
- Bilberry Leaf Tea: 1 cup twice daily – contains myrtillin.
- Bitter Melon: 2 oz juice daily – lowers blood sugar.
- Jerusalem Artichoke & Asparagus: 1–2 cups daily – rich in inulin.
- Other foods: celery, cucumbers, berries, leafy greens, sprouts, lemon, radish, flaxseed, oat bran, etc.
Best Supplements to Control Blood Sugar
The following are the most important nutritional supplements. Dosages should be adjusted based on tests and personal needs:
- Alpha Lipoic Acid: 150–300 mg daily
- Gymnema Sylvestre: 500 mg 3–4x daily
- Banaba: 500 mg+ daily
- Chromium: 1000 mcg daily
- Cinnamon: 6000 mg daily
- Siberian Ginseng: 500–1000 mg daily
- Ginkgo Biloba: 250 mg 3x daily
- Glucomannan & Guar Gum: 500–1000 mg daily each
- Salacia Oblonga: 500 mg 3x daily
- Berberine: 1000 mg daily
- B-Complex Vitamins: 100 mg+ daily
- Multi Trace Minerals: 3–6 capsules daily
- Magnesium Glycinate: 200 mg 3x daily
- Antioxidant Complex: Includes vitamins A, C, E, grape seed extract
- Vitamin D: 4000 IU daily unless adequate sun exposure
- IP6 (Inositol Hexaphosphate): 1000 mg 3x daily
- Benfotiamine: 150 mg 3x daily
- Stevia: natural sweetener alternative
Conclusion
These natural strategies have a very high success rate in actual clinical practice. In many cases, medications can be drastically reduced or eliminated. You’ll have to work with a medical doctor or naturopath and watch your daily blood sugars regularly to make the changes. It’s all within the realm of possibility and I encourage any of you suffering from diabetes to look into these strategies soon.
This article is for information purposes only and is not meant to replace the advice of your doctor. When making changes to your healthcare regimen, please consult a qualified health professional.
References
- James J. et al., BMJ, 2004.
- Healthline: What is Berberine?
- Balch J.F., Balch P.A., Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 1990.
- Braly J., The Immuno Review, 1993.
- Christensen L., The Nutrition Report, 1991.
- Karjalaimen J. et al., NEJM, 1992.
- Pizzorno J.E., Murray M.T., Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, 1991.
- Scott F.W., AJCN, 1990; Diabetes Research, 1988.
- Werbach M.R., Nutritional Influences on Illness, 1993.
- Yudkin J., Nutrition and Health, 1987.
- Yoshikawa M. et al., J Nutr, 2002; Bioorg Med Chem, 2002; Biol Pharm Bull, 2002.
