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Diabetes During a Disaster: What to Do When Youre Out of Medication

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H. Okay, its disaster time, youre a type 2 diabetic, and youve run out of or lost your oral medication. What do you do? Here are some ideas to lower your blood sugar. First, continue your diet and exercise. If youre on oral medications that means you still produce insulin. Insulin works most efficiently when you (1) eat small meals not loaded with simple sugars, (2) stay hydrated with water, (3) do a little exercise . Of course, you and your familys safety comes first, and you may already be working to exhaustion, but if youre stuck sitting all day in a shelter, get up and stir around a bit. This is good advice with or without your medication.

Natural Ways to Lower Blood Sugar When Youre Without Medication

There are about as many natural suggestions to lower your blood sugar as there are type 2 diabetics. Few work very well. None work nearly as well as prescription medication. Of the ones Ive found, here are the three with the most evidence that they can significantly lower your blood sugar.

American ginseng may help lower blood pressure during a disaster if you have to go without your medication.

Before trying any of these, check with your doctor. Although they cant take the place of your prescriptions, if you take your regular dose of medication plus one of these, your blood sugar can drop too low. 1. Alpha-lipoic acid Its found in liver, spinach, broccoli, and potatoes. Theres also a supplement. Recommended dose is 200300 mg per day. 2. American ginseng Ingesting up to 3 grams within two hours of a meal has been shown to lower blood sugar. More doesnt have any more effect. To get 3 grams you could take the supplement or one cup of tea (using 1 teaspoon or one teabag of the cut or ground ginseng). Im not sure how much of the ginseng youd have to eat for 3 grams. 3. Coccinia indica Take 1 gram of the extract per day, or 2 ounces of the gourd. (Coccinia indica is an herb that grows in India.) In addition to these natural remedies, some studies have shown the mineral chromium and garlic to lower blood sugar. Other studies have found they have no effect. Theyre worth a try if you have them. Has anyone tried these or any other natural ways to lower blood sugar with type 2 diabetes? How well did they work? Photo of American ginseng by hubertk on flick r. (Photo has been altered.)

Ginseng Tea Recipe

To make ginseng tea, just pour boiling water ov er fiv e to eight slices of ginseng. Steep four to fiv e minutes (or longer for stronger tea). Schumacher Ginseng, a ginseng farm in Wisconsin, say s y ou can reuse the ginseng for two or three more cups of tea and then eat it. The question would be whether repeated steeping reduces the components that help with blood sugar.

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June 21st, 2012 | Tags: diabetes, herb and food remedies | Category: General

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Community A nit a

8 months ago

This past January, I inherited taking care of my 81 yr old mother in law with dementia, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and she has heart arrythmia (spelling may be wrong). When I first got her, her blood sugar levels were all over the place and learned that her old caregiver wasn't feeding her very healthy food. I do most of my cooking from scratch and use lots of olive oil, veggies and fruits. Well, I didn't know anything about any of what she has. (Have had a little training in all that but not a lot). I educated myself with the help of some nurses and online. I refuse to even give her any non natural sweeteners such as aspertame, maltinol, splenda etc. I took her off all the diet crap (one exception> maple syrup is still sugar free with splenda). But what I have learned is this..when she did get the diet sugars..her dementia was unbelievable and she couldn't focus at all on anything. Now (9 months later) her blood sugars are under control and all food regulated. The only meds she is on are vitamins, iron, potassium, magnesium, low dose blood pressure pills, and an occasional resperidone when she gets agitated or won't sleep for the dementia. A couple times her sugar spiked on us>(she is sneaky and we have since hidden the marshmallows)...I got it lowered both times with a good size dish of natural (no sugar added) applesauce and added a couple tablespoons of cinnamon to it, a small glass of water (gotta be careful w/ her fluids (with dementia she thinks she has to drink all the time ) and she has landed in hosp for electrolytes being off) and made her walk back and forth through the house with her walker and this has worked both times. Anything I bake or make with sugar, I cut most of it out (if recipe calls for cup..I do no more than an 1/8 of cup type of deal. And her doctor told me he wants to know how I got her off the insulin and metformin and levels back to normal and her body producing insulin again..so now working with a nutritionist (she seems really stupid to me) and we are writing down all the meals as I make them ...he is thinking of having me teach cooking classes too for diabetics in the future...go me...lol
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Anita 8 months ago

James Hubbard, M. D. , M. P . H.

Great Anita, way to go.

1 Randy

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2 months ago

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I did alot of studying after I found out I have type 2 diabetes.After studying the glycemic index and checking my sugar levels religously,I have controlled my levels without meds.I also learned that these simple things together allow me to eat more carbs per meal.It's very good for me when I'd like to have that small piece of dessert or maybe some gravy on the side or just anything I occassionally want to treat myself too.I take a 20 oz. bottle of apple cider vinager and make a teabag with 3 grams of ginger and cinnamon and 1 gram of tumeric and put it in a jar so it can blend.I can take 2 tablespoons of the mixture before a meal and it allows me to have 15-20% more carbs in a meal without my blood sugar level rising past acceptable numbers.It works like metaformin.Try it and see if it works for you.
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Randy 2 days ago

How do you brew it, are you actually mixing this in the vinegar?
Reply Homes t eader

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8 months ago

I am type 1 diabetic for 40 years since the age of 6, and have been preparing for shtf for years. I have a huge stockpile of 2 kinds of insulin and have used insulin past it's expiration date with mixed results. Sometimes I happen upon a bottle that sends my blood sugars into the stratosphere sometimes it's good. I wish there was a solid answer about the true longevity of insulin. The biggest problem is that when a person has had diabetes for a long time a lot happens to their bodies besides just the diabetes. Arthritis, nerve damage, digestive issues, retinopathy, etc... can cause complications beyond just worrying about having insulin in a grid down situation. For myself, I do what I can and I'm very knowledgeable about (and have stockpiles of) medication for diabetic issues, but I know that if something were to happen to affect my ability to obtain modern medical help I would be a goner. It sucks, but it's reality.
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Homesteader 8 months ago

James Hubbard, M. D. , M. P . H. Reply A mber

Thanks, Homesteader, for sharing your first-hand experience.

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2 months ago

Cinnamon is EXCELLENT at lowering blood sugar. I've been type 2 for 3 years, and have never had my medication raised or supplemented. I take 2000 mg in the morning, and another 2000 mg at night.
Reply doc

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3 months ago

empirical evidence on me. fenugreek helps lower glucose levels

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doc 3 months ago

James Hubbard, M. D. , M. P . H.

Thanks, Doc.
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K ay lene

6 months ago

Hurrah! At last I got a web site from where I can really obtain helpful information regarding my study and knowledge.
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Kaylene 6 months ago

James Hubbard, M. D. , M. P . H.

Thanks, Kaylene.
Reply TS

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8 months ago

It also happens that apple cider vinegar lowers blood sugar and also cinnamon. Weird huh?
Reply Rilla

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9 months ago

I agree with Terri I eat at least one Prickly pear a day while thay are in season. My counts usually hover aroun 120-130, fasting or eating with occasional spikes to 170. I am low on meds right now cause I can't afford the labs. I save what I have in case I am in a situation where I have no choice but to eat carbs or not eat at all. I supplement with a miltivitamin geared for diabetics and I take extra chromium every day. I also occasionally use cinnamon and I drink green tea evey day.
Reply Rilla

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9 months ago

I agree with Terri. I eat at least one Prickly pear fruit and sometimes 2 everyday while they are in season. I get mine at a little mexican friut stand. I have been low on my oral meds for a while now. The meds are very inexpensive on Walmarts $4.00 list but I can't afford the lab work. I take a multivitamin especially for diabetics and an extra chromium tablet every day. I also incorporate some cinnamon and Green tea. I find Lo or no carb works best for me(although I can't always stick with it). My BG usually hovers between 120-130, fasting or eating, with occasional spikes up to 170. it has not been below 110 since I was diagnosed.
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Rilla 9 months ago

James Hubbard, M. D. , M. P . H.

Thanks, Rilla.
Reply S t ephanie

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9 months ago

Cinnamon is really great a lowering blood sugar. I know several people who no longer need medications for their type 2 since incorporating cinnamon into their diets. 1 delicious way is putting 1 tsp into a 1/2 c vanilla yogurt along with 1/2 of a chopped up apple. sprinkle on some toasted pecans or other nuts and its an awesome dessert!
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Stephanie 9 months ago

James Hubbard, M. D. , M. P . H.

Thanks, Stephanie.
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James Hubbard, M. D. , M. P . H.

9 months ago

Thanks, Terri.
Reply Mat t

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9 months ago

I have heard that Burdock root was once used for a natural replacement for insulin. It has dramatic effects on the lowering of blood sugar.
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Matt 9 months ago

James Hubbard, M. D. , M. P . H.

Hadn't heard that, Matt. Thanks.

Reply Jac k ie S mit h

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9 months ago

I recently read that fig leaf tea will help with balancing blood sugar, also helps with other health issues. Have you ever read or heard of this? Thanks for ALL your great advice!
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Jackie Smith 9 months ago

James Hubbard, M. D. , M. P . H.

Jackie, I've heard of it, but don't know if there's any objective proof. It might be worth a try.
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A NDRE W RUNNINGW OLF Reply Share

9 months ago

500 MIL CINNAMIN PILLS LOWER SUGAR ABOUT 40 POINTS

James Hubbard, M. D. , M. P . H.

ANDREW RUNNINGWOLF 9 months ago

Thanks, Andrew.
Reply S abine

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9 months ago

A real good plant for people with diabetes is dandelion. It's roots (the highest in fall) are high in inulin and help the body produce more insulin. A tea prepared from its roots helps the best, since it is water solubel. The good thing is dandelion is almost everywhere... google it I think there have been successfull tests made with it
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Sabine 9 months ago

James Hubbard, M. D. , M. P . H.

Thanks Sabine.
Reply Terri

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9 months ago

Raw Cactus. The kind that has the prickly pear. Be carefull. I did have a LOW bs with this once. You can dice it and put in your salad. I also blend it with some ice and stevia plant as a sweetner. Scoop off the foam from the top. Add a squirt of lemon!! Enjoy

sweetner. Scoop off the foam from the top. Add a squirt of lemon!! Enjoy
Reply K at e Fox

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9 months ago

Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of People With Type 2 Diabetes Alam Khan, MS, PHD123, Mahpara Safdar, MS12, Mohammad Muzaffar Ali Khan, MS, PHD12, Khan Nawaz Khattak, MS12 and Richard A. Anderson, PHD3 + Author Affiliations 1Department of Human Nutrition, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan 2Post Graduate Medical Institute, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan 3Nutrients Requirements and Functions Laboratory, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Richard A. Anderson, Nutrient Requirements and Functions Laboratory, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Bldg. 307, Rm. 224, Beltsville, MD 20705. E-mail: Anderson@307.bhnrc.usda.gov Abstract
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James Hubbard, M. D. , M. P . H.

Kate Fox 9 months ago

Thanks, Kate. Actually other studies have shown no effect of sugar from cinnamon, but it's worth a try, unless you're allergic to it.
Reply 1836eig

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9 months ago

I was learned I had type 2 diabetes while recovering from a pulmonary embolism in a hospital. They put me on 1500 mg of metformin. I was obese (a good 100 pounds overweight). Later as I was exercising alot and losing a good amount of that excessive weight, my A1C levels were continually rising to and raising my fears. So I did alot of research on the net about natural supplements for support of this condition. Now I take 200mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid, 50mg of Zinc, 500mcg of Chromium picolinate, 5000mcg of Biotin and 1000mg of Cinnamon daily. My A1C levels dropped alot to an acceptable level of 6.1 to 6.6 depending upon my food intake for the previous 3 months. Also, I'm able to eat anything I desire, although it is still best to limit my sugar intake. If you follow the ADA's advice you'll have to forget about ever enjoying a good meal again and the heck with those uppity dieticians too! This is still working for me after 5+ years, but everybody must choose their own course as I'm not qualified to give expert advice.
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James Hubbard, M. D. , M. P . H. Reply c ons t anc e

1836eig 9 months ago

Thanks, 1836eig. I assume you're exercising and lost some weight also?
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10 months ago

to who ever can help. where can i get Ginseng. i have never seen it in my local groceries. can you get it in a health store?
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constance 9 months ago

I used to be able to find ginseng on eBay

Reply s c ot t ie

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10 months ago

Type 2 here...thanks for the good article and comments..

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scottie 10 months ago

James Hubbard, M. D. , M. P . H.

You're welcome, Scottie.

Reply Milehimama

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10 months ago

I managed my gestational diabetes (I've had it 7 times and never needed insulin, yet, knock on wood) with L-Carnitine and cinnamon. Also food combining- always eating fiber and protein with every meal or snack(i.e., never eating something that was carbs without fiber and protein). So, french fries NO, but baked potato with skin, topped with broccoli and cheese or chili, yes. Tortilla chips, no. Nachos with plenty of cooked beans and cheese, yes.
Reply HCMat his

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11 months ago

For the type 1 diabetic, I would keep a month's supply of basal and short-acting insulin in the fridge. Rotate monthly, replacing the old with your prescription filled most recently. You probably will have to purchase the insulin outright (not covered by insurance). But you would be good for a month, at least. That should cover most problems
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HCMathis 11 months ago

James Hubbard, M. D. , M. P . H.

Thanks, HC.
Reply Dave, RN

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11 months ago

I can't agree with "Following ADA guidlines". I did that for a while and got steadily worse. You can't follow what they say and get better. You can't eat "lots of heart healthy whole grains" and get rid of type two diabetes. ADA guidlines are a recepe for failure if you are trying to get rid of type 2. I know that's medical, and nursing heresy, but I base it on personal experience. Besides that, they have no vested interest in helping people control diabetes with only food and movement. The ADA is funded in

vested interest in helping people control diabetes with only food and movement. The ADA is funded in large part by pharmaceutical companies. I have one of their yearly statements, and they got many millions from drug companies.
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Dave, RN 20 hours ago

S onlight Minis t eries

Agree with Dave. I am RN and eating ADA worked for awhile, but suddenly sugar went up in the 200's. Can only eat small amouts of carbs now and check sugar more. I am on Glybride and am adding cinnamon. I take 13 vits a day with lots of water and veggies. I did cinamon before and it worked great.
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Dave, RN 11 months ago

James Hubbard, M. D. , M. P . H.

Thanks, Dave.
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James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H. 11 months ago

Melanie S t effler

I agree with Dave- people that "cure" their diabetes with diet/exercise/herbs etc- I think did not have a severe type of diabetes. It is a genetic condition as well as brought on by obesity. I have never been obese or overweight untill I began using inslin. Over 20 years I have gained about 25lbs- I do think if you got diabetes from weight gain, then it makes sense if you lose weight it will be gone. But not all diabetics are heavy, they have a genetic predisposition for diabetes.