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Briana Van Craeynest
I just finished the Pancreas lesson and had a question on some of the herbs recommended for diabetes. Many herbs were described as increasing insulin production/secretion, so they lowered blood sugar and were beneficial in diabetes cases (corn silk, dandelion leaf, ginseng, gymnema, etc.). I am assuming that “increasing insulin production” means that the existing beta cells produce more insulin (rather than the number of beta cells themselves increasing). A problem of diabetes is that the beta cells become overworked and fail. So my question is do some of these herbs actually exacerbate beta cell overwork? Or am I just misunderstanding how they increase insulin production?
My husband has prediabetes, and his doctor’s advice was to do nothing and just monitor for changes (which I think is ridiculous because diet and lifestyle changes can prevent full-blown diabetes). I want to make sure that any herbs he also tries don’t worsen his condition. Thank you for any clarifications!
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Dr. Patrick Jones
Herbs recommended for supporting the pancreas or managing diabetes, such as corn silk, dandelion leaf, ginseng, and gymnema, influence insulin production in various ways. When herbs are described as “increasing insulin production,” they may stimulate beta cells to secrete more insulin, enhance insulin sensitivity, protect beta cells from oxidative stress or inflammation, or even support beta-cell regeneration. While herbs that directly stimulate insulin secretion (like Gymnema or ginseng) could theoretically overwork beta cells, this effect is generally mild compared to pharmaceutical agents and may be counterbalanced by their other benefits, such as reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, or insulin resistance. Improved blood sugar control from these herbs can also alleviate glucotoxicity, which otherwise contributes to beta-cell failure.
In my opinion, for most individuals, the multifaceted actions of these herbs are more likely to support beta-cell health rather than exacerbate dysfunction, particularly when used as part of a comprehensive diabetes management plan that includes a healthy diet, regular exercise, etc…
Remember not to combine diabetes herbs with diabetes drugs without careful consideration, guidance by a professional and diligent monitoring of blood glucose levels.
Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.
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Ah, that makes sense! Thank you for the information!
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