Another beautiful conversation with Mr.Sebbo
“About two months ago I was researching some ‘natural’ options to help reduce ‘spikes’ in the early morning that Type 2 diabetics frequently have. This seems to be the worst time of the day for ‘high’ numbers.
In many Type 2 diabetics checking your blood sugar when you wake up is very important. It is key to know the value (number, ex., 110, 115, 130, etc.) of your blood sugar when you ‘prick’ your finger and before you have breakfast, especially coming off a night of ‘fasting.’(See previous Fasting article).
A couple of months ago, I came across a nutritionist in the Philippines who had enjoyed some success helping people with Type 2 diabetes by introducing green tea and bay leaves to their diet. I was very interested since I am a Type 2 diabetic and occasionally reading articles or researching the internet for possible ‘natural’ options to reduce my morning spikes in blood sugar.
Since I record my blood sugar numbers daily I decided to conduct a ‘nonscientific’ study on myself by drinking two cups of (hot) green tea at night about an hour before bed and also added one-two bay leafs.
One of the reasons green tea may play a role in affecting diabetes is that it contains a potent compound called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG has been found to increase the uptake of glucose into muscle cells.
Consumption of bay leaves helps improve insulin and glucose metabolism. The active component of bay leaves is a polyphenol, which helps in controlling glucose levels.
I was astonished at my results.
These were my findings after 40 days of drinking green tea (1 bag) and a bay leaf (1 large or 2 small) in a cup of hot water (or microwave) at night, approximately 1-2 hours before going to bed and sleeping approximately seven (7) hours. And, of course, fasting at night!
Please remember, too, that this study should be considered in the context of other variables that I personally do on a daily basis (i.e., walks, other exercise, diet, and medicine {I take 1 500 mg metformin tablet daily, at night).
Results. My morning blood sugar 23 days before the green tea and bay leaves averaged 130. This included no days below 120 and 12 days of 130 +. My morning blood sugar after40 days with the green tea and bay leaves averaged 122. This included 7 days below 120 and only 3 days of readings of 130+
So, in summary, my blood glucose numbers were reduced by an average of 8 points with the introduction of green tea and bay leaves into my diet (at night)”.
*See previous GWI diabetes articles on the GWI website: Fasting, Type 2 Diabetes Broken Down, Momentum as a Factor in Managing your Type 2 Diabetes and Overall Health and Another Diabetic Tip of the Week.