The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Michael (Athens, Ohio) on 11/25/2012
★★★★★
Eating 1 T of virgin coconut oil and then doing moderate exercise like walking for 15 to 30 min will also bring your BS down possibly even more than ACV. ACV does nothing for me but VCO will bring me into the 80's from 170. If you read Dr. Richard Bernstein or Ron Rosedale you will learn that eating that a high carb roll is really bad for you and not woth doing because it is whipping your beta cells to produce more insulin and they will eventually burn out and die and then you will become a type 1 diabetic and need insulin.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Benni (San Diego, Ca - California) on 01/07/2012
★★★★★
I am pre-diabetic who, with rampant diabetes on both sides of the family, has been monitoring my blood sugar faithfully, and several times a day for the past few months.
The main reason I was doing this was to see if anything other than a low carb diet would work to control my blood sugar. (So far, NO - except the ACV).
On a low carb diet (no more than 30 g of carbs per day = ketosis for the past 5 weeks) my daily blood sugar runs in a very strict band of 100-113. Some days I've tested it 5 times hoping it would fall ower. On a regular diet, my blood sugar is in the 90-175 range.
I've been taking 1 tsp ACV 3x/day for only two days and today my blood sugar has registered at 69 and 85.
Also, yesterday I started the Borax 1/8th tsp in a liter of water drunk throughout the day, so that may have contributed as well.
For the past week, I've been trying various remedies for chronic fatigue. I didn't take the ACV for my blood sugar but rather for increased energy (seems to be working) so only looked it up on Earth Clinic as regards blood sugar after realizing the dramatic drop.
If anything changes (I. E. sugars go up again as magically as they came down, I'll post an update.)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Aud (Stapleton, Al) on 09/06/2011
★★★★★
apple cider vinegar does work for lowering your blood sugar. I have tried it and know it works. Thank goodness.
Peppermint Oil
Posted by Ratgirldjh (Austin, Texas, USA) on 10/09/2009
★★★★★
i am a diabetic on insulin and i recently discovered that peppermint oil lowers blood sugar - a LOT.
how i found this out is i took a bath with 5 drops of peppermint oil and i also have a tooth powder that i mixed up with several drops of peppermint oil and powdered sea salt.
after soaking in the bath - which felt wonderful - i brushed my teeth with the tooth powder and also rinsed my mouth out with a little in water.
after this i started feeling weird. i had eaten whole grain pasta and veggies for dinner and couldn't believe my blood sugar was low. but it was 81 - and it continued going lower even after i ate 1 1/2 kashi cereal bars - 1 teaspoons of karo syrup - and 1 whole wheat gingerbread cookie. i ended up eating another cereal bar and finally got it up to 120.
this morning it was still lower than usual after all those mid night carbs - it was 177.
usually the morning after something like this happens it will be in the 200's - since it finally all catches up again.
so be careful with peppermint oil if you are a diabetic on insulin.
i plan to still use my tooth powder - but i have lowered my insulin doses!!!
i am also taking ACV and water a very small amount 2 x a day.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cheryl (Brownsville, Pa) on 07/11/2009
★★★★★
I was recently diagnosed as a "borderline diabetic" and higher cholesterol and triglycerides than normal. Also going into the lovely stages of menopause. My hemoglobin test came back at 5.8 which is just short of the cut off point. At 6.0 you are considered a diabetic. I stopped eating junk food entirely and started exercising and testing my blood sugar three times a day (even though I was not told to do so). Both of my parents are diabetics and I was determined that this was NOT going to happen to me. I started taking 2 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar right before my lunch and supper. I was startled to see how drastically my blood sugars had come down in only 1 week. When I had my first "glucose" test my number was 121. 126 you are considered a diabetic. I have been testing my blood sugars for the last week and they are now running in the 70's - 90's. WOW! Just a note....there were a few times that my sugar dropped too low so make sure you eat enough of a proper balanced diet and make sure to have your snacks in between meals. I am going to wait one month before I have more blood work to see if it is working on cholesterol and triglycerides.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Vincent (Minneapolis, Mn) on 01/01/2011
★★★★★
I have had the same experiences, so good for you. For lowering my cholesterol and triglycerides, I have added two Ayurvedic herbs that have completely eliminated my need to be on medications. They are: triphala, and guggulu. Look them up. I buy them from a local shop in powder form and stir them into water and drink. It is quite nasty tasting but you get used to it. Blah... Really nasty, lol... The guggulu tastes like church incense smells, if you know what I mean. It is local for me to get and I just go pick it up. Good luck.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Pamm (Birmingham, Alabama) on 05/06/2010
Too much Apple Cider Vinegar can cause a loss of potassium, because if you notice you will lose a-lot of water weight while taking ACV, This will deplete Potassium & Sodium fairly quickly. I am a medical researcher & have used myself as a atudy for the last year & noticed very quickly of Potassium & Sodium Loss With Apple Cider Vinegar:
Symptoms Loss Potassium: Itchy Scalp, Tiredness, Irregular Blood Pressure & High Heart Rate Are Signs of Low Potassium,
Low Sodium: Leg Cramps, Very Weak & Tired, Low Blood Pressure.
Also when these are low I noticed worsening of allergies. So if you do take ACV for any Ailments make sure you take In more potassium & sea salt. ACV contains only a trace of Potassium. I take in Potassium Citrate 99 mg a day. Very Inexpensive. Too much ACV causes too much Hydrochloric Acid In the stomach so don't take too much. If you develop heartburn or acid reflux after taking ACV, you having taking too much & to reverse this take 1/2 teaspoon of Baking Soda. Good Luck!
Cinnamon
Posted by Deanna (Aurora, Co) on 02/17/2015
so what brand of 500 mg capsules of cinnamon did you use?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ramesh Bhatnagar (Irving, Texas, USA) on 03/29/2008
★★★★★
I read about Apple Cider Vinegar online so I tried it. The first day my sugar level lowered from 235 plus to 110. I am taking two table spoons in a 1/4 glass of water, this is a miracle remedy to lower sugar level. I have not taken any metformin etc. for nearly two weeks. I am to have my lab test done next mid April 2008, let's see what the results shows! My diet is besan (gram flour) and soya flour pan cakes with sour cream and salad (onion, cucumber, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, celery, lemon juice, bitter melon and Habanero and lite salt) twice a day and boiled tilapia fish in the evening. I am very happy with ACV, I just ordered 12 (32oz) bottles of ACV with the Mother, Organic and unfiltered. This will remain in my cupboard always! Thank you for having a wonderful informative website. God Bless!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Teady (Columbus, georgia) on 11/26/2007
★★★★★
I drank vinegar after my meals today and my blood sugar was great almost immediately Thanks for your great suggestions!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tim (Winnipeg, Manitoba) on 10/20/2007
★★★★★
I am a Type II Diabetic and I am 43 years old. I have been of Medication for 3 years now and I am managing my Diabetes by eating a healthy diet and exercise. I am writing to commend you folks and tell you that Apple Cider Vinegar works wonders in terms of controlling my blood sugar levels, its amazing. As awful as it tastes the benefits are truly amazing. Start of with 1 teaspoon and record the results and take as many times as needed otherwise you may lower you blood sugar levels to low.
Cinnamon
Posted by Moe (Apple Valley) on 08/26/2016
Yes. Cinnamon does help but it needs to be the Ceylon type and not the Cassia that is the most common one found in the supermarkets. A half teaspoon is the recommended dose. The cheaper Cassia cinnamon has high levels of coumarin and can be toxic to the liver if taken excessively. You can buy the Ceylon at most health food stores or order it online. I too have had amazing results with cinnamon but will be buying the Ceylon which is safe.
Avocado
Posted by Michelle (New York) on 09/05/2016
★☆☆☆☆
I eat half to one whole avacado a day and didn't see much change in blood sugar but it dropped my cholesterol almost 30/points and my tryglicerides 80 points. Now trying Apple Cider Vinegar to see if it works.
Avocado
Posted by Kelly (Cambridge, Ma) on 09/06/2016
Have you tried Ceylon cinnamon? (Not regular cinnamon that's in the spice aisle.)
There's pretty solid research suggesting that it can lower blood sugar by as much as 24%. (Also shown to lower cholesterol as well.)
The best part? It can't hurt you. :)
Avocado
Posted by Kelly (Cambridge, Ma) on 10/02/2016
Hi Col,
You misunderstood my suggestion to the previous poster.
What I meant by; "It can't hurt", is that since cinnamon is a natural option vs. a pharmaceutical/chemical one, 'it can't hurt' to give it a try. I can't say the same of Metformin, etc.
I never even mentioned a dosage amount in my post; I only suggested that the poster look into cinnamon for lowering blood sugar. The rest (i.e. research and dosage amounts) is up to them.
I can suggest/explain it to them, but I can't understand it for them. :)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Veronica (Reno, NV) on 03/27/2006
★★★★★
After discovering this website and reading all the benefits that Apple Cider Vinegar has. I've been taken apple cider vinegar for about 3 weeks now (3 tbls. with 8 ounces of water three times a day) and I have noticed that it has kept my sugar and my blood pressure in normal ranges, it has also lowered my body fat percentage, I'm losing weight and it has also cured my sore throat and I feel more energetic. I love your website. Keep up the good work.
Supplements
Posted by Florida Man (USA) on 01/13/2024
Hi, I've been taking these supplements lately:
- Kirkland Organic Multivitamin
- Apple Cider Vinegar/Manuka Honey
- Black Seed Oil
- Vitamin K2 100MCG MK-7
- Physicians Choice Thin 30 Probiotic
- Moringa
- Baking Soda Capsules
- Cayenne Complex (Extract)
- Ashitaba
- Sea Moss + Bladderwrack
- Quercetin
- Cranberry Concentrate
- Apricot Extract
- Maca Root
- Korean Ginseng
- Ginko Biloba
I'm taking these for various reasons, mostly preventative, to keep blood sugar/pressure regulated, keep kidneys healthy (some relatives having kidney issues had me paranoid and increased awareness of the fragility of them, plus the stats on people with kidney disease), The bladderwrack for bladder repair for years of kratom use (peeing very often). Quercetin for immune system support, which has helped me not get sick.
I have a few questions
1. Do any of these counteract each other?
The reason I'm making this post is because recently after eating my blood sugar has gotten too low (a bit of dizzyness), I tested it 15 min after eating dinner and dessert and it was 115.
A lot of these have the same effect of lowering blood sugar, so it seems to have gotten too low after eating by taking all of these
2. Which ones should I cut out if I had to?
Thanks
Ted's Alkalizing Remedies
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 12/31/2020 563 posts
Thanks for posting this! I went off the zero carb rails, which was bad enough, but THEN I went off the keto rails, altogether, Christmas Eve, with both wheat and sugar - plus I'm dehydrated which all came together as kidney pain and a nasty burn-type rash - as if my own sweat was pure acid - yikes! Old school baby powder (talc) helped a lot with the pain and discomfort but didn't clear up the rash. Activated charcoal loaded petroleum jelly seems to be clearing it up but the slightest sweat and the pain and itching starts right back up. So, since you can't just rehydrate overnight, I'm definitely going with the formula you posted.
Raw Potato
Posted by Rw (Southwestern Virginia) on 05/24/2018
I eat it before a meal. I guess it doesn't work to bring down blood sugar that's already high. I think it makes the food be digested more slowly and keep carbs from being released all at once.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Waltz (India) on 06/11/2016
For diabetes, N-Acetly-Cysteine and freshly squeezed carrot juice daily helps a lot. This remedy came from Ted himself.
Also magnesium, coconut oil and ACV provide nourishment to the body. You should try all this in addition to the dietary changes you have already made.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Timh (Ky) on 06/11/2016 2041 posts
Hi RP: Many of the high blood sugar or diabetes cases are a result of infections in the liver/gut/gallblader/pancrease area. May not be your case but simple dietary items will definitely help. Prior to retiring take Oil of Oregano softgels, and eat regular servings of Kefir with the other good foods in your current regimen. Two items which specifically increase the body's ability to metabolize sugar is the spice Cinnamon and the mineral Chromium.
Hope this helps and hear good news from you.
Honey
Posted by Cjuan (Malaysia) on 05/21/2016
I suppose each person reacts differently to honey. Many years ago, it used to spike my BG too but recently I found that it could actually lower my BG, so I am truly puzzled.
Perhaps the type of honey consumed could be the causative factor. By that I mean whether the honey is raw, wild/organic and unprocessed compared to processed honey where the heat-sensitive enzymes get destroyed. Bear in mind too that there are fake honeys around too - those made from sugar water and corn syrup, so these may be the actual culprit causing the spike in BG instead of lowering it.
Diabetics can always test them out for themselves rather than adopt a generalized view of the issue.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Raj (Ca Usa) on 12/07/2015
★★★★★
Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar (with the mother) Is available at Amazon India and also at GoOrganicIndia.com I have friends whose blood sugar level went down from 350 to 130 in 3 weeks. Taking 2 spoons am &'pm. Best, Raj
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kelly (Minneapolis, Mn) on 06/05/2016
Hi Dorothy,.
Can you tell me how much acv you are taking per day, and in what doses? how many times per day?.
Thanks for the info! I suspected this all along!.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Andon Science (Limassol) on 01/20/2023 21 posts
From preliminary information honey rises blood sugar. Personally I do not use honey. Also too much consumption of apple cider vinegar, has created health problems. Thus very moderate use of apple cider vinegar is reccomended.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tina (NC) on 09/05/2025
★★★☆☆
I agree with moderation of ACV. My experience with a teaspoon in about 6 oz of water before eating a meal with refined carbs: sometimes I feel like it balances the carbs and I feel fine. Sometimes I feel sleepy or sluggish after and I'm not sure if I had too many carbs for the teaspoon or if I've not had enough ACV for the carb count.
There needs to be a formula that incorporates weight, amount of carbs being consumed, and the amount of ACV needed to slow down the carb absorption (or the max carb consumption "allowed" for the max effective and/or "safe" dosage of ACV).
Does that make sense?
Chromium Polynicotinate
Posted by Art (California ) on 03/16/2015 2940 posts
Most Niacin bound chromium supplements or chromium polynicotinate come in capsules containing 200 Mcg.
If 1,000 Mcg equals 1 Mg, it will take five 200 Mcg capsules to make 1 Mg. You are recommending 100 mg twice per day. That means it will take 500 capsules two times per day to achieve the dose you are recommending if I did the math correctly. Is this correct?
Art
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Neena (Florida) on 03/09/2015
Hi, It is possible you respond on how many milligrams of the ALA, Magnesium Malate, CoQ10, and Pantithine and the way you take them? It will be very appreciated. Thank you!!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 09/21/2014
Marilyn, you seem to be on a tolerable dosage for you, but, like a recent poster wrote, if you cut way back on carbs - esp. refined ones - and add some mild exercises, you would probably benefit more.
Thai Herb Kratom
Posted by Zander (Anytown, USA) on 12/12/2024
A teaspoon of kratom may be way too much for many, particularly to start. Start with no more than one gram. And it should be noted that while kratom is miraculous and wondrous, it is indeed addictive.
Bitter Melon
Posted by Hok1628 (Oakland, Ca) on 11/21/2012
★★★★★
Researchers have shown that bitter melon extract can reduce blood sugar levels in animals and humans - important in the control of diabetes, where blood sugar levels can get dangerously high.
Link for more info..http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2008/April/23040802.asp
http://www.bitter-gourd.org/health-benefits/
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Alain (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) on 06/29/2010
Answer to Myhealth from Warri, Delta, Nigeria about Sodium and increased Fasting Blood Sugar
Hi, From http://www.acu-cell.com/dis-hyp.html
"Many practitioners recommend nearly identical dietary lifestyles for people suffering from Low Blood Sugar (hypoglycemia), and diabetes (hyperglycemia), whereby adequate consumption of Protein and Fiber, as well as Sodium management, are important considerations to help improve sugar metabolism in both situations.
Sodium (salt) slows insulin response, which with diabetes contributes to poor blood sugar control, however some hypoglycemic individuals with no sodium sensitivity, aldosterone issues, and generally a disposition for low blood pressure can use sufficient sodium intake to their advantage, because it diminishes a quick rise and fall in insulin levels and subsequently reduces those dreaded blood sugar highs and lows they commonly experience."
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Therefore I would advice to reduce by half the baking soda and replace the removed portion with potassium citrate or bicarbonate. You will have to tweak it for better results.
I suspect it is related with excess uric acid which can cause high blood pressure and may induce later insulin resistance as some recent researches suggest. Ans some postulate that human react this way to acid uric (unlike most animals) as an evolution defense against too much potassium from vegetables inducing lower blood pressure.
Read some posts from Ted where he suggests BS with potassium citrate/bicarbonate. He might suggest a different ratio of sodium/potassium.
It is important to realize that not only the ratio sodium/potassium is important but also sodium/calcium, and calcium/magnesium. So a pH protocol would be preferable with a combination of several minerals.
Good Luck. Alain
Prickly Pear Cactus
Posted by Alpan (Astoria, Ny) on 02/15/2010
★★★★★
Opuntia cactus - AKA Prickly Pear Cactus - AKA "Nopalitos", Nopal Cactus: Lowers blood sugar (not the fruit, the cactus leaves). They can usually be found at markets that carry Mexican produce.
Burn off the spines over a hot stove. Take two to three leaves about the size of the palm of your hand, slice them up and put them in a juice machine: The juice will be a very dark green viscous liquid, very slimy, almost like algae. Drink about 8oz. whenever your sugar is high. For example, my evening blood sugar was 242 after a meal. 25 minutes after drinking 8oz of nopal cactus juice it went down to 124. By morning it was 105. This juice obsoletes metformin and has no side effects (your sugar will not crash, only brings it down to normal). My doctor was going to put me on insulin - I use nopal cactus instead. It brings down your sugar within minutes. You can also freeze the pulp into a patty and cook it up with seasoning, also helps.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Citygirl27 (Richardson, Tx, Usa) on 06/15/2012
ACV, a couple of dashes of cinnamon, and a packet (or teaspoon if you have the loose kind) of stevia make an amazing drink, tastes like apple pie in a glass, and it is really healthy. You get the benefit of the ACV and cinnamon plus a very tolerable taste with no added sugars. Hint - these are the ingredients in the 'apple cinnamon' drink the "famous ACV company" sells. It is yum, and $2 a bottle at the natural foods store, or pennies at home. Try it and test your glucose 1 hr later and let us know.
Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
Posted by Betty (Ferndale, MI) on 06/07/2007
★★★★★
Artificial Sweetners send blood sugar sky high. I have had diabetes for a few years. I control my diabetes with excercise and diet. In order to find out which things have an effect on my blood sugar, I test my blood often and I have noted that the only time it goes way higher than it should is when I drink diet soda or when I eat anything with artificial sweetners.
