Aloe vera well known for its immense and diverse use both in maintaining the skin and also for general body maintenance is one of the most cherished plants that has maintained its top value and usefulness in the heart and minds of many individuals for generations. Aloe vera is a member of the prickly but succulent family of plants it contains a gel-like substance within its leaves which has been used in herbal medicine for the treatment of various ailments due to its healing, rejuvenating, and soothing properties.
For over 6,000 years, aloe or aloe vera plants, which are native to Africa and certain Indian Ocean islands, and grown industrially in the United States of America, the Caribbean, the Philippines, and Mexico have been used in phytotherapy, dermatology, and cosmetics in the form of gels and creams. This amazing plant is native to the Caribbeans, South Africa, and Latin American. As mentioned earlier, the plants leaves contain a clear gel and this is widely added as an ingredient in commercial products such as:
- Creams
- Lotions
- Shampoos
- Ointments
Apart from the clear gel-like substance obtained from within the leaves, a bitter liquid also known as aloe latex can be gotten and extracted from the skin of the leaves, and this is often used in the production of items such as juice drinks, tablets, capsules and dental care items such as toothpaste and mouthwash.
These capsules, juices, supplements, and the rest produced from the leaves of the aloe vera plant have been proven by researchers can be used in the treatment of many ailments of which diabetes is one.
Benefits Of Aloe Vera For Diabetes
Aloe vera has also been linked with having beneficial effects in:
#1. Decreasing blood lipids commonly known as fats in patients who previously had very abnormal high levels of these molecules in the blood for example, for people with type 2 diabetes as well as those with acute hepatitis or liver problems.
#2. Decreasing swelling or inflammation as well as stimulating a faster rate of healing of wounds and injuries. Leg wounds and ulcers are common complications of diabetes, and they typically take a longer time to heal than in healthy non-diabetic individuals.
#3. Clinical research in previous years has discovered that aloe vera has therapeutic properties in the treatment of skin-related problems, issues, and diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, and burns. It also handles gastro-intestinal conditions and reduces the rate at which cells age since it also possesses antioxidant properties.
#4. Aloe vera also can lower HbA1c averages: Although some studies discovered that the research results based on this particular benefit mixed, it could still be added as a benefit of aloe vera to health. For example, one clinical trial that made use of laboratory rats found that aloe vera helped the animals reduce their HbA1c levels, which could good news for people with diabetes.
However, an earlier clinical trial involving people did not achieve the same results. In conclusion, a more and in-depth research is still required to determine if and how aloe vera could be used to help improve HbA1c levels. These positive effects all discussed above are possible due to the presence of compounds such as lectins, mannans, and anthraquinones found in the aloe plant.
Diabetes is a condition that affects how the body makes use of or utilizes sugar or glucose present in the body. It is a very serious disease that results when an individual has high amounts of sugar present in the blood and the body is unable to metabolize this sugar due to lack of production or lack of sufficient quantity of the hormone insulin. An individual is said to be diabetic if diagnosis indicates that the individual’s blood sugar is equal to or higher than 130 mg/dl, or when it rises to 200 mg/dl or more one to two hours after a meal.
Many studies have been undertaken and research carried out has shown that aloe vera has some great beneficial effects on diabetes. This plant of unique African origin has been confirmed to be effective in the reduction of fast-rising blood sugar levels which is of great benefit especially to patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. It also reduces body fat and weight putting those in check.
Therefore, a regular dose of aloe vera is highly recommended for diabetic patients since it is very effective in keeping blood sugar levels in check. For aloe vera juice, the maximum daily dose of 50ml is recommended while the recommended dose for capsules is 200 to 300mg per day.
Side Effects and Drawbacks Of Using Aloe Vera For Diabetes
Although from some of the research carried out, most individuals who were used for the study that involved the use of aloe vera for the treatment of diabetes did not make any reports of noticing or having any side effects whether severe or mild.
But this does not mean that it is completely safe. The safety in using aloe vera without having any side effects actually depends on how it is used and the quantity taken at a time. This is because some of the benefits of aloe vera mentioned earlier could turn out to be drawbacks.
Aloe vera has the ability to drastically reduce blood sugar levels, so for those who are already placed on medications for diabetes or for controlling blood sugar levels, consuming large amounts of aloe vera juice or some other form of aloe vera supplements or preparation could lead to developing hypoglycemia which is a condition in which the blood sugar levels becomes dangerously low and can result in loss of consciousness.
Also since aloe vera is claimed to possess laxative effects, taking it alongside any other oral medication prescribed by a physician could reduce the effectiveness of such medication. This is because the body will not be able to absorb the medications well and could therefore result in complications such as high blood glucose since the oral medications for diabetes are no longer functional.
The set of people who are cleared to make use of aloe vera juice are those who cannot afford to get their medications as regularly as required probably due to the cost of the medication or for some other related factors. Also, those who intend to manage their blood sugar levels in order to prevent it from shooting high and leading to diabetes could take it in little doses daily. This is one of the reasons for the interest scientists have in exploring aloe vera products as a possible diabetes management tool.