Many don’t realize that kratom, which is effective for a myriad of health conditions and other needs, can also be beneficial for those with diabetes. Its versatile properties can support diabetics in various ways.
Let’s take a look at how kratom for diabetes can help you feel better and which strains to choose.
What Is Diabetes
Diabetes is a type of disease in which patients experience increased blood glucose, also known as blood sugar levels. Glucose is a simple type of sugar that results from food being digested.
The body needs glucose for energy. Insulin, a natural hormone that the pancreas produces, helps cells use glucose properly. It also ensures that the blood sugar level is normal, preventing it from being too high or too low.
Neither one of the extremes is good for us.
Too much glucose in the blood, or hyperglycemia, for a long time, can cause serious health issues. It can damage blood vessels increasing the risk of stroke, heart disease, problems with vision, nerve damage, or even kidney damage.
However, hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can lead to one being clumsy, fatigued, having trouble concentrating and talking. In severe cases, this can even lead to a loss of consciousness, seizures, or death.
People who suffer diabetes have issues with the way their body produces and utilizes insulin. Therefore, their blood sugar levels are higher than they are supposed to be.
Types of Diabetes
There are two types of diabetes: diabetes 1 and diabetes 2:
- Diabetes 1 is less common. With it, the body does not produce insulin on its own.
- Diabetes 2, the more common type, occurs when the body does not produce insulin well or does not use it properly.
Sometimes, it is also possible to have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, yet not high enough to be classified as diabetes. This condition is prediabetes. A person who has it has a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on.
Another type of diabetes is gestational diabetes. It is a type that develops during pregnancy in women who did not have diabetes before. A high blood sugar level can have a negative effect on the health of both the mother and the baby.
Common Diabetes Treatment Methods
Insulin, usually administrated in injection form, is the most common treatment method for diabetes 1. There are various types of it, and, depending on how severe insulin depletion is, the doctor wi determine the most suitable dose and type.
For type 2 diabetes, oral medication such as metformin is common. It can lower glucose levels in the blood and help the body respond to insulin better. However, depending on individual symptoms, other medications may be used.
In addition to medication, lifestyle changes are also beneficial to improve the health and wellbeing of a person with diabetes. These usually include:
- A balanced diet low in carbohydrates, especially simple carbs, and foods with high glycemic index and high in fiber. Such a diet ensures that food breaks down slowly and blood sugar that results from its breakdown releases into the bloodstream slowly and steadily rather than at once.
- Weight loss. Even a small decrease in weight can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes.
- Regular exercise. It can help muscles use up blood sugar for energy as well as reduce weight, which can improve the way in which the body responds to insulin. Excess weight and obesity increase the risk of diabetes.
- Proper hydration. Drinking plenty of water can help the kidneys flush out excess blood sugar from the system.
- Reducing stress and anxiety. Stress hormones increase blood sugar levels, and stress management techniques such as yoga and meditation can help release stress and prevent additional blood sugar from being released. Massage can be helpful too.
- Improving sleep. Not enough sleep can lead to poorer diet choices, overeating, higher stress hormone levels, and can affect the body’s insulin sensitivity.
While a combination of lifestyle changes and medication may be necessary, some studies indicate that lifestyle and diet changes, as well as weight loss, may be enough to reverse diabetes.
5 Ways Kratom for Diabetes Can Be Beneficial
1. Pain Relief
Diabetes can result in nerve damage. This condition, known and diabetic neuropathy, can be painful. It can manifest as tingling in the hands and feet, or even burning or sharp pain. Kratom can provide natural pain relief that range from mild to strong, depending on the strain. Pain relief from kratom can also be effective in soothing pain that tends to be resistant to medication.
2. Anxiety and Stress Relief
Red and green kratom strains can aid diabetes patients to keep their stress and anxiety in check. Over time, this can lead to steadier blood sugar levels and fewer spikes in blood sugar levels.
3. Better Sleep
Kratom has the potential to improve sleep is a few ways. Firstly, slow strains can help one relax, fall, and stay asleep. This can lead to a better mood, lower stress hormone levels, as well as help the body get proper rest and recovery.
Secondly, moderate and fast strains can also improve sleep. While they should be taken during the daytime, they can help one remain active throughout the day and feel tired by the time they need to go to sleep.
4. Improved Mood
Living with diabetes can be challenging. The mood can fluctuate, and the person can experience mood swings, anger, and depression. This can worsen the symptoms by causing blood sugar levels to rise.
However, kratom can support people with diabetes by helping them improve their mood and overall wellbeing.
5. Weight Loss
It’s common among kratom users to have reduced appetite. Kratom lovers also tend to adopt healthier habits such as having more balanced meals, choosing healthier foods, drinking more liquids, less snacking between meals, and taking natural supplements such as magnesium to promote better health.
All of that combined can lead to weight loss, which can improve diabetes symptoms or even reverse.
Best Kratom for Diabetes
Different types of kratom can bring different benefits for diabetes. Therefore, diabetes patients can select strains that best support their needs. Slow strains such as Red Bali, Red Thai, and Red Borneo can help one relax and sleep. They can also provide potent pain relief and euphoria.
Green and yellow strains such as Green Malay, Green Maeng Da, or Yellow Bali kratom can be beneficial if a diabetic person is looking for improved mood and increased energy throughout the day, while also relieving stress and anxiety.
While whites can also be helpful, they can, at times, feel too much. Whites are potent in small doses and can make one feel jittery or agitated if the dose is too big. Therefore, new kratom users or people struggling with depression should approach whites mindfully or avoid them altogether.
Keep in mind that kratom drug interactions are possible. Therefore, you should consult your doctor to make sure that kratom does not interfere with any of the medications that you may be taking.
Moreover, due to limited studies, it’s best that pregnant women avoid taking kratom for diabetes. While many report not having any issues with kratom during pregnancy, it’s not currently known how that may affect the baby in the long term.
Do you take kratom for diabetes? Which are your go-to strains?
Leave a Reply