"I also changed my diet by eating multi-grain breads and drinking green tea, low-carb veggies and plenty of water."

One problem with evaluating the effect of any supplement or prescription medication is that if you change your diet at the same time, especially if you substitute low-carb veggies for potatoes, you'll never know if it was the diet or the treatment that caused the change.

The article states her A1C went from 10 to 6 in 1 month. This is impossible. It would be possible for her to drop to 6 in 3 months, but the old blood cells with the high concentration of glucose did not simply disappear from her body.

Well, I am a little concerned after reading this article. I do believe that doing your own research is a great idea. No one cares more about your health, than you! I guess what worries me is that he took a bunch of "herbs" without the ok from a doctor. I think that is scary and I wouldn't want young people making decisions like that without consulting their physician.
My feeling is maybe one of the reasons his A1C is better is because he is 190 pounds lighter and an improved diet consisting of healthier choices; low carbs,whole grains and water. As a fellow diabetic, if herbs cured Type 1 diabetes or gave me perfect control, I'd have eaten a lot of herbs over the last 30 years! I just feel that any Type 1 diabetic would take herbs if it meant not having to take insulin any longer.
Just my opinion.

I believe this person is on the right track. If we all took care of our own problems big pharma would be gone and we would be a healthy country

Article doesn't say- Does Lassie have Type 1 or Type 2?

I would like to know more specific information about the herbs brand names, mg where purchased and how many times a day, after meals. I do believe and have seen patients are more aware of health habits and make lifestyle changes when start to take herbs for their health or even when start exercise routine. But I also believe herbs maybe what is needed for metabolism assist with glucose and fats.

I too use herbs instead of higher doses of meds and insulin for controlling my sugar. In addition to the herbs the author listed I also use bitter melon. I have been on Lantus once a day and replaced short-acting Humolog injections during the day with PGX3 which is basically glucomannan, a fiber that "soaks" up glucose in the gut before it can be absorbed. I charted a 30-40 drop in 2 hour post-prandial sugar readings using PGX3 alone compared to using nothing and the readings were exactly the same as readings taken after use of Humolog. I also follow a low carb diet with whole foods and grains being the majority of what I eat.
I have started on byetta in order to reduce or eliminate the insulin. I have had trouble losing weight and feel that the elimination of insulin will help that and if I can drop another 80 lbs, I expect to control my diabetes with diet and herbs only. I go to an integrative medical doctor and an endocrinologist who have been fully informed on what I am doing. My last A1C was 5.8 from a high 4 years ago of 10, so obviously it is working. Diabetes is a chronic disease that is very tied to personal habits that only the diabetic person can control so it makes sense that with good research and support from a physician that the diabetic person should take control of their own health.

There are many types of research for decreasing, improving, eliminating diab. going on today, however you don't hear much about the use of Herbal reseach. This could be promising for both type1 and type11 diab.There are people willing participate in such research

These days doctors seem to busy to care and they have contracts with pharmaceutical companies to use only that company's drugs that is why there is so much emphasis on taking medicine than researching other ways to deal with diseases. The article would have been more helpful if it stated whether the person had type 1 or type 2. Type 1 diabetics probably won't benefit but it is worth a try because doctors are under contracts and won't help.

Since I've been on fenugreek myself for about three years now and it's helped my A1c to come down from a 6.8 to 6.3 in three months, I know it's possible. It's been down to 5.9 and next week, when I have my new blood tests, hope to see it even lower.

But Lassie is very lucky to have been able to do it without any exercising, because I've seen my weight and sugar levels go together, even if I'm eating "right" all the time, and I switched to a low carbs eating style three years ago after having being told by my doctor that I'm a Type 2.

I lost 30 lbs after the lifestyle change in the first year itself and am maintaining the weight loss- I'm 4'10'' so 30 lbs was a lot for me. To say that we don't know what helped us our lifestyle changes or the herbs really I think is unfair. When we are told about something serious is wrong with us, most of us want to help ourselves as much as
possible.

We, in real lives are not "clinical studies", where we can change only one thing to see if it works. As Jon Barron, things have to be changed basically on all fronts of our lives for them to succeed. It has to be often an all out "attack" on the "illness".

For myself I have seen if/when I've not been able to exercise, my sugar levels/A1c have gone up drastically in one three months period. When I've cut down on my fenugreek only, my sugar levels/ A1c have again gone up. So for me, unfortunately it has to be both.

Regular exercising is a challenge for most of us, although, I love it, but yes, some of us we are lazy sometimes.

Since Lassie is on a few things, not just one herb, she may not have needed the exercising but I see that she's also on a fat burn, so that, ofcourse, must have helped her enormous weight loss.

I'd like to say to the "doubter" that studies have been done on fenugreek on both Type 1's and 2's. Both have benefited. Those on insulin have been able to decrease the amounts they take, or just their oral meds. but not cut them insulin completely. I think, that would be too much to expect from any herb. It also may not may help someone whose A1c is very high, but somewhat, am sure.

I am not on any meds, since I decided that I didn't want to be from the beginning. My own doctor was very helpful and let me try do it this way. I did feel it was essential to tell him, that I was on this. Since I was lucky to have a lower A1c to start off with the fenugreek has helped me enormously. Even on this lower A1c, I already had diabetic neuropathy, so even "low" A1C's can be dangerous.

I would like to give a bit of more information on fenugreek. I've been taking the seeds, which are available at any Indian store. I was taking 4/ 5 tea spoons but on a visit to India, I met a doc who's very interested in alternative medicine, although, he's a highly qualified in "western medicine" and he asked me to cut it down to 2 tea spoons, although, I think up to 3 would be very safe.

Fenugreek is a natural blood thinner and thus anyone already on blood thinners would have to tell their own docs if they want to try this for their diabetes. There has to be a 2 hour gap between any other medicines they may be on, since fenugreek is a very strong herb and will interfere with other meds.

It's very high in protein and fiber, contains Vit. C, niacin, potassium and iron amongst other things. It has a chemical composition like cod liver oil, so in fact contains omega 3's. It is known to help cholesterol and triglycerides levels.

I, myself think it's like a vitamin, which has many good things in it, specially the fiber and intend to stay on it for a very long time.

There's a lot of info on it on the net, where I've learned about it myself, when I didn't want to go on diabetic meds.

I soak the seeds in boiling water overnight and eat them before my meals, as well as drinking the water, in which I've soaked the seeds in it. They are a little bitter but not much, well worth the trouble of helping our diabetes, I think.

Fenugreek is a very safe herb on the whole, but one has to be careful with anything new and not take too much in one's excitement of finding something as wonderful as this. I'd begin with just one tea spoon for a while and check for any side effects, nausea or any skin rashes.

Just to correct one of my typhos, several I see after having posted this. The fenugreek may NOT help too much, someone whose A1c is very high, but those on insulin, may be able to cut their dosages. That's what's been seen in the studies.

Please talk to your doctor before taking any herbal rememdy. If you have had a kidney transplant or any kind of kidney problems, herbs can be very harmful and fatal.

Absolutely agree with chickadee410 about telling your own doctor if you are planning to try out ANY herbs. I've clearly written in my posts above about fenugreek that we should. My doctor and I were in it together and I've just told my new PCP about it also.

Since fenugreek is a blood thinner, it's essential to do so; other herbs may also be blood thinners as some supplements maybe also, such as omega 3's. The quantity of the herbs is important, it is important not to overdose on herbs.

Obviously this person has Type 2 diabetes, and they should clearly state that.

Being 190 (!) LBS overweight is enough to cause severe insulin resistance in almost anyone, triggering Type 2 diabetes. There is NO excuse for letting yourself get that overweight. Come on now. Obviously this was the person's own fault, because after making the effort to change *their eating habits*..presto...they lost weight and put their Type 2 diabetes into remission.

While it's fine to try herbs (note that Type 1 diabetics will always need insulin no matter what herbs they take), all you need to control most cases of obesity induced Type 2 diabetes is plain old diet changes and perhaps exercise.

It's not rocket science folks, and there are no quick fixes nor miracle herbs either...

This article is very real but not unique. Thousands of Diabetics are using nutritional supplements every day to control their condition.

Western medicine is a drug medicine, and doctors are like sales persons they have to sell you those drugs otherwise they will go out of business.

Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine is the complete opposite. They use natural remedies to treat the condition and not just suppress the symptoms.

Those who are skeptics about alternative medicine, need to open their eyes and see what other cultures have been doing for thousands of years.

If you want to be a slave to drugs and western medicine all your life, then this is your choice and after all this is YOUR body.

There are lot of research on natural remedies that is coming to the western world finally. We should keep our options open and not let the pharmaceutical companies keep making huge profits by keeping us sick.

For someone on a complicated medication regimen, herbs pose a very dangerous risk. Little is known about herbal interaction with prescription medications, much less with each other. A blood thinner can be very dangerous. If someone were on Plavix and aspirin (as am I) it would be absolutely foolhardy to start with a anti-coagulant herb. YET, you don't hear about the downsides when someone is touting a herbal remedy-either through their own ignorance or scientific ignorance.Diabetis has terrible consequences-don't experiment on yourself !!

I found a "Diabetic Support Multi for Diabetics" by Prevention. Along with the regular multi vitamin ingredients, it also has Chromium, Vanadium, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Resveratrol.

I'm not cured, but it has helped with my daily blood glucose levels and I have had to reduce my insulin intake, not by a huge amount, but a noticeable amount. And every little bit helps.

Where did I find this miracle pill (lol) you ask-Walmart! Where else!

To the anonymous on 7April:

I often post on this site but never mentioned fenugreek/a herb for diabetics since a lot of people try herbs without precautions thinking all of them are safe and most are, infact very safe. Since Lassie posted it as one of the natural herbs she's felt have helped her, I decided to post what I know about fenugreek, so that people wouldn't jump into this without knowing that it is a blood thinner. I do feel if we talk about something , it is essential to mention its side effects, and if we don't know enough about it, we should not mention it.

I am surprised, infact, that Lassie has written about all these herbs without mentioning their side effects. I do credit her with helping herself. It's a formidable achievement to get where she is now.

BUT, having written the above, we should also know that prescription drugs in the US have an enormous ill effects on patients who are taking them, this includes all the diabetes meds, as well as insulin. We are reading now about the effects of the more insulin we have, the higher sometimes, our glucose numbers go also. So everything we take/do in life has side effects, we need to be aware of them. Do our doctors always remember to tell us about the side effects of the meds they prescribe to us, do we remember to ask them about them? Let's remember the Avandia story, doctors are still debating how good it is for diabetics, many have stopped prescribing it.

So yes, herbs can have a serious effect on our health, not always good. We, as responsible people need to be alert ALL the time about anything we put into our mouths for anything, this includes our multi-vitamins. But herbs can also help us tremendously.

Were you, yourself aware that fenugreek is a bllod thinner till I posted the info on this? Many of us take fish oils/cod liver oils every day, are we also aware of the fact that they are also blood thinners. I have learned since I was told that I'm a diabetic ( Type 2) by my PCP that there is so much I need to learn about this condition and have been reading all I can on the net about it.

I decided at the beginning that I didn't want to be on diabetic meds because of all the side effects connected to them and am also on fenugreek and a couple of other things now and am alert all the time about them and the other meds I'm on and have informed my PCP, as already mentioned. Lassie did not at the beginning. Some doctors are open minded about such things, others are not, as some posters on this blog. My PCP has been helpful but not always done the tests he should have done to check things out. So if we want to take herbs, we need to read as much as we can about them and be aware of any side effects if any.

Since, I'm already on fenugreek, I don't want to be on another herb that may also be a blood thinner at the same time, so am very careful. But I do think that often herbs can help us without all the side effects of regular meds. But, I tell very few other diabetics about fenugreek, specially, if they are already on too many other meds, and feel that they would not be able to "manage" the herb with the other meds.

We should not expect "cures" with any herbs, although, we may get them but certainly will most of the time get lower glucose levels with them. I do think we need to be more open minced about them, though.

Does anyone know what effects a product called FucoThin has on Type 2 Diabetes. FucoThin is a product that targets your belly fat. The ad that I saw said that it can help lessen the effects, but when I received my free trial, the label on the bottle said that if you have Diabetes you shouldn't take it. Can someone give me some information either way?

Where do you find fenugreek and what is it. I have never heard of this herb.

ellow mates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

guess what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! im so exsited im smarter about type1 now !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!__love anonymous

I am a newly diagnosed Diabetic, as well as a 30 yer professional veteran in the medical community. I choose to treat myself with herbs rather than go with the well researched "drugs" that the Drug companies push.

I find truly that when you decide not to take the drugs, the MD's get nervous because that's what they are trained in! They don't know much about herbs, they do the same thing we do (if interested at all), which is go to the internet and try to learn!

Therefore, you must realize that you have to do your own research and be your own guinea pig sometimes, that's the bottom line, be diligent in your study, it's your health!

No one will tell you of all of the horror stories and casualties of "the standard use of the drugs", but people somehow feel more comfortable as long as the "white man in a lab coat" tells them it's okay and not bother to look up the medicines they take everyday.

But don't say that the Amazon Indians have used it safely for 2 thousand years or more, all of the "be careful" warnings go wild!

Anyone thought that natural blood thinning maybe what's required for treatment of diabetes since one of the complications of Diabetes is sticky-ness and increased clotting? Has anyone heard of the Alaskan Eskimo bleeding out more from too much Omega-3? Only when it's combined with the Rat Poisen ingredient that coumadin is made of?

The real problem with herbs from all these different companies are standardization. Dome companies put out blanks while others put out potent herbs.

Gone are the days when one should just sit back and put all their trust in any one source, Lab Coat or scraggly bearded herbalist, your health is in your own hands. To me, if other humans have used something like the Gymnema Sylvestre and Fennegreek for thousands of years, they should be considered. They know the side effects if any, you just have to read about it and cross-reference.

Take charge, do your own research, and keep your eyes open. Unforturnately, that's what it come down to!

I've used a combination of filtered cinnamon and gymnema sylvestre to control my blood sugars now for a while. It is very effective with my daytime regulation, but surprisingly, my fasting bloodsugar goes up!?!

I have type 2 DM and I can have a 112 BS at bedtime, go to bed and after fasting all night, I awaken to a bloodsugar of 175! I eat breakfast and take my cinnamon and Gymnema, and it goes down to 140's 2hr post prandial(PP), 89-107 3 hrs PP.

Does anyone have that problem? If so, how do you treat it?

As the first anonymous commentator said, if anyone wants to try herbs to help their diabetes, we HAVE to read/find out as much we can before we start on them and then check/cross check their reactions to any of the drugs we may already be on. And then take responsibility for it ourselves. As I've written in my above posts and others have agreed that herbs can do a lot for diabetics but we have to check them out before beginning on them.

Information on fenugreek is all over the net but it took me about a year to know as much as I could, and this after I had already begun it. Fenugreek seeds are available in most Indian/Middle Eastern stores. They are available in some Indian stores also in capsule form, more expensive.

There needs to be a gap between taking the seeds of two hours, because the seeds are VERY STRONG and will interfere with the effectiveness of any other meds we may be taking. This means if taking the seeds before meals no other meds can be taken with the meals, so timing of the other meds can be problematic. Some people can manage it, others may not be able to and thus it would be better not to try fenugreek at all.

While talking about herbs, let's remember that they cannot do magic by themselves, being careful about what we eat and exercising has to be there, it all goes together. Fenugreek, by itself may not do the trick for everybody. Lassie tried a few things together.

Interested in reading about success stories with herbs. However these stories are meaningless unless we are given the dosages that were taken as well as the herb names.