Fenugreek
Fenugreek is an herb that is used in traditional Asian cooking and has been used to stabilize blood sugar. It can be bought whole or crushed and sprinkled in meals as a spice. It may be helpful to diabetics and pre-diabetics because it may slow digestion of carbohydrates ultimately reducing spikes in blood sugar.
Garlic
Garlic is an herb that is used in both cooking and also as a natural remedy. A study was done on the effects of raw and boiled garlic on the levels of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides in rats. The boiled garlic had little effect on these three levels however it was found that raw garlic had a significant effect in decreasing the glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In another study garlic was used as a supplement to anti-diabetic therapy. They found that after 24 weeks there was a decrease in fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Also HDL cholesterol level, the “good” cholesterol, showed a significant increase.
Chromium
Chromium is a mineral that the human body needs but in small amounts. It is known to improve the action of insulin in metabolizing and storing carbohydrates, fats and protein in the body. Chromium can be found in small amounts in certain foods such as broccoli, potatoes, turkey breast, whole wheat bread and garlic.
References:
“Including garlic in the diet may help lower blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides” by Thomson M, Al-Qattan KK, Bordia T, Ali M
“Garlic (Allium sativum) supplementation with standard antidiabetic agent provides better diabetic control in type 2 diabetes patients” by Ashraf R, Khan RA, Ashraf I.
“Chromium” https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Chromium-HealthProfessional/
