A natural combination Natural approaches like weight loss, nutrition, exercise and targeted supplements can help most people deal with type II diabetes. Yet for some, prescription medication is still necessary to get blood glucose under control. But approach doesn't necessarily have to cancel out the other - natural approaches can complement drug therapy, and in some cases, make it even more effective.
New research shows that this is true with silymarin, a popular herbal treatment for type II diabetes, which is also well known for its ability to support liver functioning. Silymarin is an extract taken from milk thistle, a common plant. In an Iranian study, scientists showed that people taking silymarin in addition to an oral diabetes drug had better results than those taking the prescription medication alone.
The subjects took 200 milligrams of silymarin three times a day for four months, in addition to their regular prescription diabetes medication. At the end of the study, they had lower levels of sugar bound to hemoglobin in the blood, lower fasting blood glucose levels and lower cholesterol levels than subjects who took the drugs alone.
If you have blood sugar control issues, consider trying silymarin - it may help enough to keep you off of drugs. And if you're already taking a prescription diabetes medication, talk to your doctor about taking silymarin along with your drugs - it may make them even more effective and allow you to reduce your dose. An excellent German pharmaceutical grade product is sold in this country under the name Thisilyn by Nature's Way.
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