How Many Grams of Turmeric do I Eat in a Day to Lower My Blood Sugar Levels?
To know how many grams of turmeric do I eat in a day to lower my blood sugar levels, you should first understand what turmeric really is.
Well, like most of you are already aware, turmeric is a plant that is known for its ability to add flavor to your choicest dishes.
Nonetheless, it needs to be noted that this flowering plant has immense medicinal properties as well. Also known as curcuma longa, turmeric is grown in India and certain parts of south eastern Asia.
I find the effects of turmeric to be really helpful for controlling my fluctuating glucose levels. As I suffer from Type 2 diabetes, controlling my sugar levels is vital.
If I do not do so, I suffer health complications rather easily. I also like to experiment using natural herbs and spices. It’s not that I avoid medicines but if I can keep my diabetes in check naturally then, why opt for expensive medicines that are laden with side effects.
Here is my take on turmeric and its direct effect on my blood sugar levels:
Points Covered in How many Grams of Turmeric do I Eat in a Day to Lower My Blood Sugar Levels Article:
1) A Brief on My Diabetic Condition
2) What got Me Hooked to Turmeric?
3) How did Turmeric Stabilize My Blood Sugar Levels?
4) Top 5 Ways I Consume Turmeric for Treating My Type 2 Diabetes
5) How Much Turmeric do I Consume in a Day?
6) Are there Any Side Effects Related to Turmeric Intake for Diabetics?
7) Takeaway
A Brief on My Diabetic Condition
I am a diabetic of the Type 2 category. This in turn implies that while my pancreas do produce insulin, the production levels is short of what my body really needs.
So, owing to low insulin production levels, I am unable to push glucose that is freely flowing in my bloodstreams into my cells. While some glucose does get pushed into the cells, the remainder (a large amount) is still left to freely float within my bloodstream.
This causes my blood sugar levels to rise – especially after a meal.
The reason behind my Type 2 diabetes was owing to my unhealthy lifestyle. I turned 40 and started to do everything that a 70 year old man does.
Simply put, I stopped exercising, ate fast food, slept late at night, drank alcohol and took more than the required level of stress. The end result – by the time I turned 42, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.
I was hyperglycemic and my internal organs were inflamed. My metabolism was jeopardized and I was in need for an anti-inflammatory medicine.
This is when my search for the best supplements to lower blood sugar initiated.
What got Me Hooked to Turmeric?
I was never the medicine type. Simply put, I never liked visiting the doctor and taking medications prescribed by them. Simply because I prefer treating myself using holistic, natural and chemical free methods.
One such method that I found useful was the intake of curcumin.
So, what I did was that I started to consume turmeric for a period of 30 days and I monitored my blood sugar levels daily.
During this time, I ensured that I steered clear of all other natural spices, herbs and blood sugar control supplements. I did this to calculate the true potential of turmeric in helping me control my type 2 diabetes.
So, what did I Like about Turmeric?
@ Turmeric is readily available in almost all grocery stores. It is easy to source and is easy on the pocket. Heck, I can pick it up from my sister’s kitchen pantry at any time.
@ The presence of curcumin in turmeric is what intrigued me the most. This product has anti-inflammatory properties. So, any disease that causes inflammation and pain can be treated via curcumin.
@ Turmeric has been widely used as a medicine for treating high cholesterol levels. As diabetics like myself have high cholesterol levels, I need something natural to keep it under check.
@ Turmeric has also been known to maintain optimal liver health by treating hepatitis infections and maintaining optimal blood sugar levels.
@ It lowers triglyceride levels and flushes out extra fat from the liver.
@ Bone related weakness that is true for diabetics like me are treated effectively by turmeric intake.
@ Most importantly, turmeric is as natural it can get. It has zero side effects (just like bitter lemon) and is completely safe for human consumption.
How did Turmeric Stabilize My Blood Sugar Levels?
There have been numerous studies that have showcased the positive effects of turmeric on diabetics. While most of these researches have been conducted on lab rats, turmeric has definitely shown tremendous improvement in human beings.
In my case, I witnessed a dip in my glucose levels just 1 week post daily intake of turmeric. Each day thereafter (for the next 21 days), my blood sugar readings only became better and better.
So, how does a simple looking herb like turmeric stabilize my blood glucose?
Stabilized My Triglyceride Levels:
My LDL was high and my HDL was low. This resulted in my triglycerides levels to shoot up. I also gained 22 pounds of body fat owing to my irregular lipid metabolism.
After I started to consume curcumin, my triglyceride levels reduced by 25 mg/dL. Even my LDL cholesterol levels decreased by 14 mg/dL. My total cholesterol levels decreased by 15.68 mg/dL.
All these changes happened in a span of 30 days (of me consuming turmeric daily). So basically, turmeric re-adjusted the enzyme process within my digestive tract to re-regulate my lipid metabolic process in just 30 days.
Not bad –eh!
Turmeric Increased My Superoxide Dismutase:
My diabetic condition had damaged my internal organs and jeopardized my natural metabolic functionality. Owing to this very reason, my oxidative stress levels were on the higher side.
So, I had to get them lowered.
One such antioxidant enzyme that got a boost in my body (after 30 days of turmeric intake) was Superoxide Dismutase. This enzyme regulated my fluctuating blood pressure levels and maintained optimal fluid balance in my body.
Superoxide Dismutase also helped maintain optimal functionality of my nerves. Even my muscle functionality improved considerably as oxidative stress was reduced.
Basically, an increase in Superoxide Dismutase levels in my body reduced my glutathione and blood catalase levels.
Reduced Alanie Aminotransferase & Aspartate Aminotransferase Levels:
Another benefit of turmeric intake was reduction in the levels of 2 important enzymes in the liver. Both these enzymes are vital for metabolizing carbohydrates in an optimal manner.
The first was Alanie Aminotransferase. Before I consumed turmeric, it’s levels were 72 units per liter. After a month of turmeric intake, these levels were reduced to 59 units per liter.
The second enzyme is Aspartate Aminotransferase. Their levels before I consumed turmeric were 51 unites per liter. After a month of turmeric intake, the levels of Aspartate Aminotransferase reduced to 41 units per liter.
So, my lipid as well as glucose levels automatically stabilized.
Regulated the Release of Adiponectin:
Another issue that I was facing as I was a diabetic was with special regards to me gaining weight. I has gained some 28 pounds in 2 years. So, my doc said that my adipose tissue was malfunctioning.
Basically, my fat tissue was unable to burn fat and was thus increasing my blood sugar levels besides making me gain unwanted body weight. As my blood sugar level was high, the Adiponectin tissue was not getting released optimally.
When I started turmeric intake, the inflammatory markers present within my fatty tissue were reduced. Even my nitric oxide levels decreased and so did my tumor necrosis.
The end result was regularization of my adipose tissue.
Repaired My Peripheral Nerves:
The nerves that transmit signals from the arms as well as my legs were damaged owing to high blood sugar levels. Owing to this very reason, I had excessive inflammation.
My advanced glycation end products changed their natural shape. All this led to an increase in my blood sugar levels. Curcumin on the other hand, helped restore the balance in my diabetic neuropathy.
Fortified with flavonoids and phenols, curcumin managed to get rid of free radicals from within my nerves.
Curcumin Removed Urea from My Kidney:
As my blood sugar levels were rising, the levels of urea and creatine in my kidney too were rising. This lead to kidney toxicity. When I consumed curcumin, the levels of creatine and urea decreased significantly.
This in turn decreased the levels of enzymes in my urine. Curcumin also helped reduce the levels of albumin in my urine. All this helped my kidney function optimally as the enzymes present within the kidney were given a boost.
Improved Skeletal Muscle Absorption:
The muscle and bones of a diabetic (like myself) are unable to absorb glucose optimally. This issue was definitely present in my body. Aches and pains in the joints as well as frequent muscle cramps were a tell-tale sign of the same.
Curcumin helped in reducing the natural breakdown of bones. It also assisted in increased absorption of glucose from my blood stream. This in turn forced my body to stop producing excessive insulin.
Top 5 Ways I Consume Turmeric for Treating My Type 2 Diabetes
Turmeric is yellow in color and contains over one hundred chemical compounds. Hence, turmeric can be considered a super-herb of sorts. You can also consume turmeric in a wide variety of ways to control blood sugar levels.
Here are the top 5 ways I Consume Turmeric to Control My Blood Sugar Levels:
I Mix it with Milk:
In the very first method, what I do is that I boil a cup of warm milk. To this milk, I add some raw turmeric. I first make a rough paste by grinding the turmeric.
Then, I allow it to boil with the milk for about 2 minutes. I then add a pinch of black pepper to it and switch the gas stove off. After the milk is cool, I pour it in a cup and drink it.
The combination of piperine and curcumin is ideal for maintaining healthy blood vessels.
Turmeric as a Spice:
In the second method, I use raw turmeric of the highest quality in foods. So for example, if I am preparing a curry of my choice, I would add a teaspoon full of raw turmeric to the dish.
I would allow it to cook for a few minutes before switching the gas stove off. Doing so cooks the turmeric and allows me to digest it optimally.
This is yet another way I consume turmeric without even realizing that I am taking a natural blood sugar control supplement.
Turmeric in a Capsule:
The third method that I tried was consuming capsules that were fortified with turmeric extract. This extract was derived from the root of turmeric.
I found these to be super-convenient in nature. All you need to do is pop a pill. It does not take any time and it is also super convenient. Moreover turmeric root extract pills are readily available both online and offline.
I Mix it with Ginger:
My next method of consuming turmeric is to mix it with some ginger. So, I take raw turmeric and quarter of an inch long piece of ginger. I crush ginger and also the turmeric.
I add turmeric to a cup of boiling milk. After about 2 minutes, I simply mix crushed ginger. After 2 minutes again, I switch off the gas and allow the mixture to cool.
Then, I pour it in a cup and drink it.
Wild Honey & Turmeric:
The last and final method that I use is to mix turmeric with honey. Now there are several kinds of honey available in the market. So I avoid processed honey and opt for just wild or raw honey.
I boil a cup of milk. To this I mix a small amount of crushed turmeric. I allow the ginger to boil with the milk for about 2 minutes. I allow the milk to cool down.
After it is cool, I mix a teaspoonful of wild or raw honey to the turmeric milk.
How Much Turmeric do I Consume in a Day?
I have tried various dosages per day. So, for 3 days, I had 100 milligrams per day. Then, I tried 500 milligrams per day for the next 3 days. Finally, I consumed 2 grams of turmeric per day.
In my opinion, 2 grams a day is best for helping control your blood sugar levels. My blood sugar readings became better when I started to consume 2 grams of turmeric per day.
So, I would recommend you all to stick with this daily dosage.
Are there Any Side Effects to Turmeric Intake for Diabetics?
I have personally experienced mild indigestion and mild nausea when I have consumed a meal that is fortified with large amounts of powdered turmeric.
Nonetheless, if consumed in normal doses – such as 2 grams per day or even 5 grams a day – there should be no issue whatsoever.
However, here are a few points to be noted:
@ First, I would personally recommend that you start with a low dosage of turmeric before increasing it. So, start with 100 mg and then amp it up to 2 grams or even more.
@ Second, if you have consumed more than the required amount of turmeric then, reduce the dosage the next day.
@ Third, if you suffer from diarrhea, nausea or an upset stomach after consuming turmeric then, stop using it. Maybe, your body just does not have the ability to digest it (it is a very rare case though).
@ Fourth, always try and mix curcumin with black pepper or ginger or even ghee to increase its overall absorption by your body.
@ Fifth, if you have doubts then, do consult a medical professional before using it.
Takeaway
Turmeric is definitely a boon for diabetics. Apart from controlling blood sugar levels, turmeric also helps you maintain strong bones, healthy cells, robust liver and awesome digestion.
It also assists in relieving inflammation in your body. I personally benefitted from consuming turmeric for 30 days. In that period, I avoided other blood sugar control supplements in order to assess the true metal of this herb.
Overall, I am quite satisfied with its results as I have benefitted in keeping my blood sugar levels in check.
References:
