Diabetes Health Center

Is There a Diabetes Cure?

Is there a natural therapy that can cure diabetes?

Natural therapies such as deep abdominal breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and biofeedback can help relieve stress. And emotional stress affects your blood sugar levels. So learning to relax is important in managing your diabetes.

Still, there is no natural therapy known that cures diabetes.

If someone tries to convince you that a natural therapy is a cure for diabetes, don't believe it. If there is a diabetes cure, you will hear it first from the scientists who have spent a lifetime researching diabetes. A genuine cure will have been tested repeatedly in clinical trials with clear success.

There are natural dietary supplements, such as magnesium and chromium, that may be safe for people with diabetes in very low doses. Nevertheless, never use any natural dietary supplement without checking first with your doctor. Some natural supplements may dangerously interact with your diabetes medication. That's why it's important to consult with your doctor.

If you are uncertain about the claims on the product label of a natural dietary supplement, call your doctor or pharmacist. A health care professional can assess the natural product to let you know what it contains -- and advise you about taking it.

What lifestyle changes can help me manage my diabetes?

Even though there's no diabetes cure, diabetes can be treated and controlled. To effectively manage diabetes, you need to do the following:

• Keep your blood sugar levels as near to normal as possible every day. You can do this by checking your glucose levels frequently, taking your diabetes medicine regularly, and balancing your food intake with medication and exercise.
• Plan what you eat at each meal and adhere to the balanced meal plan.
• Avoid snacking on empty calories and have a plan for snack foods that boosts your health instead of making it worse.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise helps you keep your blood glucose levels steady.
• Keep your appointments with your doctor, diabetes educator, ophthalmologist, dentist, podiatrist, and other health care professionals. These people want to keep you well, and you need to check with them periodically for a health assessment.

Sticking with your diabetes treatment plan can keep your blood sugar levels steady and greatly reduce the chance of developing diabetes complications. In addition, with the new options in treating diabetes, your doctor can help you find the most effective diabetes treatment to keep you well and active.