Diet for Healthy Living
Don't underestimate the role diet plays in our health, including mood and neurological disorders. There are some books I've gleaned from:

- Gut Check | Unleash the Power of Your Microbiome to Reverse Disease and Transform Your Mental, Physical, and Emotional Health by Stephen R. Gundry, MD
In Gut Check, Dr. Steven Gundry reveals the emerging science proving that Hippocrates was right—all disease begins in the gut. When our microbiomes are out of balance, it affects our immune systems, our hormone levels, our mental health, our longevity, and our risk of developing autoimmunity, heart, and neurodegenerative disease, as well as arthritis, diabetes, and cancer. Yet, not all hope is lost: disease can also be healed in the gut if we choose to treat our microbes right. In Gut Check, Dr. Gundry shows us how. Dr. Gundry provides us with the keys to unlocking our gut health, allowing our bodies, and its microbiome, to function at their highest potential. Sharing shocking new research as well as a detailed eating plan with food lists and recipes to heal and rebalance the microbiome, Gut Check provides the cutting-edge information and tools we need to repair our health and reclaim our lives.

- Anyway You Can | Dr. Boz shares Her Mom's Cancer Journey: A Beginners Guide to Ketones for Life by Annette Bosworth, MD. (internal medicine physician)  | Dr. Boz has updated what she's learned since writing this first book; read Ketocontinum.

- Ketocontinuum: Consistently Keto Diet for Life, Annette Bosworth, MD
Dr. Boz shares "how to reverse insulin-based illnesses once thought impossible to heal, such as obesity, depression, unhealthy livers, inflammation, leaky gut syndrome, and autoimmune diseases. This relatable story teaches how to succeed using ketogenic nutrition, overcome common ketosis pitfalls, and sustain your vitality. The story of David engages the listener as Dr. Boz weaves clever analogies and science lessons into the book. Ketocontinuum dispels myths, fears, and ill-conceived paradigms about the ketogenic process that impede success. Learn why fat-fuel outperforms carbohydrate-fuel. This comprehensive audiobook also persuasively argues why the term "ketogenic diet" misleads many and offers a more nuanced and precise definition that makes sense to the listener."

- Unlocking the Keto Code by Stephen R. Gundry, MD
"Like many doctors and nutrition experts, bestselling author Dr. Steven Gundry has long endorsed the ketogenic diet—a style of eating that heavily restricts carbohydrate intake to make the body burn fat for fuel. Because ketosis offers a variety of health benefits, including weight loss, reduced risk of illness, and enhanced energy, Dr. Gundry believed his patients’ efforts to adhere to the challenging regimen was worthwhile. That is, until his research uncovered a shocking truth: We’ve gotten keto all wrong.

In Unlocking the Keto Code, Dr. Gundry reveals the biological mechanism that makes keto diets so successful: a cellular process known as “mitochondrial uncoupling.” As it turns out, ketones are not the magical fuel source they’ve been made out to be; in fact, the body cannot run on ketones and fats alone. Over the long term, a very low carb-diet can lead to muscle wasting and poor cognitive health.

Luckily, you don’t have to restrict all carbs to reap the benefits of ketosis; you simply have to have enough ketones and other plant compounds called polyphenols present in your body to “unlock” the process of mitochondrial uncoupling. In this insightful, empowering, eminently practical book. Dr. Gundry explains the many ways listeners can ignite this process, from feasting on plant-based foods (carbs that are typically off-limits on a keto diet!) to enjoying ketone generating foods such as goat and sheep milk products, to implementing a timed eating schedule. You will even discover the real reason how superfoods, even apple cider vinegar, work their magic; and its not what they you think!"

- Brain Energy: A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Understanding Mental Health—and Improving Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, OCD, PTSD, and More by Christopher M. Palmer, MD (Harvard psychiatrist)
"Dr. Palmer puts together the pieces of the mental illness puzzle to provide answers and offer hope. Brain Energy will transform the field of mental health, and the lives of countless people around the world."

Articles

Effects of cinnamaldehyde on the glucose transport activity of GLUT1

Russian Doctor Says All Her Type-1 Diabetic Patients “Recover Fully”

Dr. Paul Marik Cured Himself of Type 2 Diabetes
"It took Dr. Paul Marik 12 weeks to prove that conventional wisdom about dieting is a lie, and that was just to himself. He lost 35 pounds, and cured himself of Type 2  diabetes. As Dr. Marik shared, 'the common teaching is that Type 2  diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease that can't be cured. This is false. They don't want you to be cured. They want you to take medication forever, and their treatment is to lower your glucose with medication. Both of these are lies.'

Virgin Coconut oil has a substantial effect on blood sugar levels

Reverse Diabetes with Lugol's Iodine

Anti-diabetic effects of Melissa essential oil in Type 2 Diabetic Mice PubMed

Purchon/Cantele note that "At low doses, Melissa essential oil was found to enhance glucose uptake and metabolism in the liver and adipose tissue. It also inhibited the formation of glucose through breakdown of glycogen in the liver, which makes it an efficient hypoglycemic agent." Anti-diabetic Effects of Melissa Essential Oil by PubMed

Black Cumin Seed Oil: In a study from Universiti Teknologi MARA in Malaysia,
researchers tested the ability of black seed oil to manage diabetes in rats. They
discovered that upon administration of the oil, all immunological parameters (serum
glucose, Pan T- and B-lymphocytes and innate cell marker) were reduced while
simultaneously increasing serum insulin levels.
Nigella sativa Oil Has Significant Repairing Ability of Damaged Pancreatic Tissue Occurs in Induced Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

This information regarding flavonoids may help with dietary considerations to reduce inflammation and have a positive impact on the pancreas:
"Different groups of flavonoids (a class of secondary metabolites or yellow pigments) are distinguished: flavanes, flavanones, flavones, flavonols, catechines, anthocyanidins, and isoflavone. They all have common antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, as well as a direct cytoprotective effect on coronary and vascular systems, the pancreas, and the liver. There are many studies that demonstrate the actions of flavonoids on melanoma cells." (Schnaubelt Ph.D., Kurt. The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils: The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy (p. 160). Inner Traditions/Bear & Company. Kindle Edition.)
Flavonoids are found in tea, citrus fruit, berries, apples, bananas, legumes, parsley, onions, dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content.

Oils/blends noted for LOW blood sugar
Black Pepper
Cinnamon Bark
Coriander Seed
Clove Bud
Grapefruit (supplement)
Helichrysum (supplement)
Holy Basil (see study above)
Melissa
Plague Defense
Thyme
Black Cumin carrier oil

Oils with possible incompatibilities orally if on diabetes medication (may reduce the need for the medication and thus throw the doseage off):
Allspice
Anise
Basil
Birch
Cassia Bark and Leaf
Cinnamon Bark
Clove Bud
Dill Weed
Fennel, sweet and bitter
Fleabane
Fenugreek
Geranium
Honey Myrtle (Melaleuca teretifolia)
Black Seed or Black Cumin
Lemon Basil (Ocimum x citrioforum)
Lemongrass
Lemon Leaf or Lemon Petitgrain (Citrus x limon)
Lemon Myrtle
Lemon-scented Tea Tree (Leptospermum petersonii or citratum or liversidgei)
Lemon Verbena
Marjoram ct carvacrol (Origanum majorana or Majorana hortensis or dubium)
May Chang
Melissa
Myrtle
Savory (Satureia hortensis or montana)
Spike Thyme (Thymbra spicata)
Star Anise
Turmeric

Testimonies
1. After being on insulin for several years, I normalized my blood sugar by taking Plague Defense 6-10 drops daily internally. I did this for about six months, and then cut back. I also took Eucalyptus radiata, which my body really likes. The numbness in my feet disappeared and I have no blood sugar issues at all now. I know without a doubt that the oils corrected and healed my body, but I also stay faithful to eating a good diet.
[HEO's Safety Comment: Oral use should only be considered with respect for how concentrated the oils are. HEO does not advocate internal use of essential oils without appropriate knowledge and understanding of how to administer, for what purpose, how much, which essential oils, safety concerns and so on. Kurt Schnaubelt Ph.D. notes that "French aromatherapy literature contains many references to using oils orally." He goes on to note that "generally 1 drop is always enough when ingesting essential oils." A potential toxicity hazard could occur when untrained people use essential oils orally and ingest too much. Keep in mind that while medical doctors or health care practitioners may prescribe essential oils for internal use, they are trained and experienced in the safe application of essential oils.] 

2. I used to have numbers like 170-180, but after taking a few drops of Cinnamon Bark essential oil daily my numbers are typically 120-130. I’ve made no other dietary changes. [See HEO's Safety Comment above on #1.]

3. I believe blood sugar issues are dietary related. Using the oils will help the body deal with the blood sugar “emergency” but ultimately you need to address digestion. Eat a great diet, support digestion (Digestion Support), exercise to aid metabolism and assimilation, and your blood sugar issues should disappear. - Connie (a health care professional)

4. I was Type 2 diabetic when I started using Plague Defense and Eucalyptus radiata. Dill helps, but it is too strong to take all the time. All my blood sugar issues are gone.

5. I listened to a tape of an interview with Ann Blake Tracy. She explained that hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is what ultimately leads to depression. She explained that when your blood sugar gets too low during the night, your body wakes you up to keep you from going into a coma. Being awake stimulates your body into making enough glucose to keep you alive. Once you get your blood sugar leveled out and get good quality sleep, the depression goes away. Unfortunately, people run to their MD’s and get on antidepressants, which wreak havoc with sleep patterns and the person turns into a zombie not knowing the difference between being asleep or awake. In some severe cases, the person acts out his/her worst nightmare and sleepwalks through the killing of their family, friends, classmates and/or suicide. Anyway, this is what helped me:
- Before retiring for the night, I’d drink a protein shake. This is a good slow-release source of glucose that kept my glucose above the “coma” level. This alone helped me have a good nights’ sleep.
- If I woke during the night, I’d get up and give myself a good shot of glucose (apple or orange) and go back to bed.
- I take a daily dose of essential fatty acids, which have been linked to improved glucose and insulin control. Also, worthy of noting: the brain is 80% cholesterol and the body manufactures hormones from cholesterol, good fats are good for the heart and joints and help the liver deal with bad fats. I recommend only Udo's Oil Blend, which can be found in most health food stores. Udo Erasmus wrote the book "Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill" which set the standard that all others follow. I add a half-bottle of ENDURANCE essential oil to every bottle. Researchers have shown that the essential oils of clove and thyme dramatically slow fatty acid breakdown and oxidation.
- I eat several small meals daily instead feasting. Several hours after eating, the glucose level gets low, so long spans between meals produces a sort of roller coaster effect. Small meals also helps with metabolism for easier weight control.
- Dense proteins are long-lasting sources of glucose, and some people have had good success with proper food combining. I find the easiest way to get the dense proteins is to add organic eggs, organic chicken and wild salmon to my diet preferably eaten before 3 p.m. when the digestive system shuts down, in which the meat will likely putrefy and further add toxins to the liver.
- Do a colon cleanse and then a liver cleanse at least once a year to keep things running efficiently. A toxic liver may be the source of the imbalance.

6. I test my blood every evening, and when I test high, I put 1 drop of Dill and 1 drop of Coriander under my tongue. This always brings the sugar level down.

7. I’ve been taking 8 drops of Plague Defense in a 00 capsule daily, and my blood sugar is now totally regulated. 
[HEO's Safety Comment:  Oral use should only be considered with respect for how concentrated the oils are. HEO does not advocate internal use of essential oils without appropriate knowledge and understanding of how to administer, for what purpose, how much, which essential oils, safety concerns and so on. Kurt Schnaubelt Ph.D. notes that "French aromatherapy literature contains many references to using oils orally." He goes on to note that "generally 1 drop is always enough when ingesting essential oils." A potential toxicity hazard could occur when untrained people use essential oils orally and ingest too much. Keep in mind that while medical doctors or health care practitioners may prescribe essential oils for internal use, they are trained and experienced in the safe application of essential oils.] 

8. I could hardly wait to tell you about this. As an experiment the other day, I had my brother check his level blood sugar level. It was 360, and he seemed nonchalant about it. I questioned his lack of concern. He told me that no matter what he does, regardless of diet, exercise, meds, etc., it seems to stay near that number constantly. So I put a drop of Fennel on his finger and told him to put it on his tongue. In ten minutes he took another reading, and it had dropped by 16 points. Then in another 10 minutes he checked it again, and it dropped a total of 20 points. Then we waited for another 20-25 minutes and checked again. In a matter of 40 minutes total, it had dropped by over 100 points!

9. My mother was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes over three years ago. I read up on the essential oils to try and started with Dill, but it just didn’t work for her. Next we tried Fennel, but it didn’t work either. Coriander is amazing. All she does is put a drop on the inside of her ankle at bedtime, and her blood sugar levels are always in the normal range. She’s not at all consistent with her diet either!

10. Four years ago I was told by doctors I had Type 2 Diabetes. That scared me since I watched my father suffer from it before he died. I changed my diet, and between my sugar meter, my diet and the oils, I started liking the readings I was getting and the way I was feeling. I went back to the doctor and was told I did not need medications yet.
My oil routine is:
4 drops of Plague Defense on bottoms of feet each morning
2-4 drops of Coriander on my chest
4 drops of diluted Cinnamon Bark and Cypress on my stomach

11. My husband has been diagnosed with diabetes and was put on Metformin to help control his blood sugar levels. He has been taking that for about three months and just recently was needing to increase the dose already even though he has been very faithful with daily exercise and major diet changes. He has Hepatitis B and has a compromised liver, so the Metformin was not something he wanted to keep taking. We ordered Davana essential oil to see how it would help with regulating his blood sugar levels. He applies it to his feet every morning. After about one week of use, he noticed how his levels were dropping too low while he was exercising, and he knew the only thing that he had done different was applying Davana. So he stopped taking the Metformin and kept using the Davana every morning, and his levels have stayed in the high 90's or low 100's. As always the oils have come through for us. They are wonderfully amazing! - D.F.

12. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is what ultimately leads to depression. It's as simple as getting the blood sugar leveled out so you get good, quality sleep. Sadly, many MDs prescribe SSRIs (antidepressants) which wreak more havoc with sleep patterns. Antidepressants turn people into zombies who don't know the difference between being asleep or awake. In the most severe cases, the person acts out his/her worst nightmare and sleepwalks through the killing of family, friends, classmates and/or suicide. I just wanted to share my 2 "scents" about that! - Siggy

13. For diabetes some have used Cinnamon Bark or Lemongrass in a capsule.  They use 5 drops of the essential oil with 2-3 drops of a carrier oil.  Take the capsule with food daily.  Be consistent and allow at least 30 days to see changes. - Cindy (a health care provider)
[HEO's Safety Comment:  Oral use should only be considered with respect for how concentrated the oils are. HEO does not advocate internal use of essential oils without appropriate knowledge and understanding of how to administer, for what purpose, how much, which essential oils, safety concerns and so on. Kurt Schnaubelt Ph.D. notes that "French aromatherapy literature contains many references to using oils orally." He goes on to note that "generally 1 drop is always enough when ingesting essential oils." A potential toxicity hazard could occur when untrained people use essential oils orally and ingest too much. Keep in mind that while medical doctors or health care practitioners may prescribe essential oils for internal use, they are trained and experienced in the safe application of essential oils.]

14. I use HEO’s Neuropathy Spray and sometimes add some Cinnamon Bark and Wild Orange when I have someone massage my feet. 

15. My brother uses HEO’s Lavender for the diabetic sores on his legs with wonderful results. 

16. Both of my husband’s parents use Lavender for their Type II Diabetes. Lavender doesn't interfere with their medication.

17. I am Type II Diabetic and use Lavender for burns and healing with great results. I had surgery a few months ago and used Helichrysum Blend, Frankincense and Lavender on one my incisions for quick healing with minimal scarring. I’d read somewhere online that someone had two incisions. She applied the oils to one of them and not the other as an experiment. The incision where she used the oils healed dramatically faster than the one that didn't get the oils.

18. I've heard many encouraging reports about the GAPS diet healing Type 1 Diabetes. It helped my own leaky gut syndrome, and even though I did it a few years ago, my toxic load is still very low. I'm very impressed by it. - Rachel

19. We discovered that we have food allergies (gluten and eggs were the worst offenders), which caused leaky gut, and then diabetic issues. Removing those foods has healed many things for us. - Amie

20. I am so glad I found your website and read the incredible testimonials for lowering blood sugar. I have used natural supplements and some oils for years and been in pretty good health. In fact, until last year I had not been to a medical Dr. in years. Last year I had a kidney stone and had to have surgery which has snowballed. They put me on high blood pressure meds before they would do surgery, and the medications made my blood sugar go up, so I had to be put on medications for that plus they also put me on an Rx for thyroid. Now, as a side effect of my blood sugar med, Glumezta, I have chronic diarrhea (several times a day) and an itchy rash covering my upper body. I was so excited to read the testimonials. I ordered Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Radiata, Corriander, Fennel and Plague Defense to help lower my blood sugar hoping to be able to get off my meds. Right now it's running about 140-150's with medication. I already take cinnamon, chromium, fennel and other supplements which help, but I believe the oils will be more effective.
UPDATE 2 weeks later: I am doing pretty good. I'm off my meds, using oils and supplements, watching my diet and exercising with about the same average fasting blood sugars as I had when I was on them and NO DIARRHEA!!! I still need to get it down more though, so I'm going to try a new blend adding Geranium, Rosemary ct. verbenone and Thyme ct. linalool. - Lydia

21. I've been using Cinnamon Bark oil internally (2 drops daily) for a year now. It helps me maintain my blood sugar without standard medications. - Tiffaney

22. After reading the article linked above about Berberine, I ordered Berberine HCL 500mg (Blood Sugar Support, Vegetarian, Gluten-FREE, NON-GMO) Complex Extract Supplement, 60 Capsules. Then I decided to go cold turkey on October 12, 2018 and stopped taking Metformin and Glyburide and started taking Berberine. I monitored my sugar readings like a hawk. I take the suggested 500mg dosage at each meal, try to stay off “quick carbs" and avoid eating after 6PM. My blood sugar readings have actually improved without Metformin. I added Glyburide back when my sugar readings started going up. This is December 5th, so I have been off of Metformin for 54 days and my sugar readings have improved—with no side effects! - Doug

23. I know diabetics who have benefited from Dr. Gundry's diet (Gut Check) or an “individually adapted" version of a Keto-type diet with much success. One friend with diabetes (who is insulin resistant) started following his version of the diet (although not high fat like a lot of Keto is) in January, and he has not had to take insulin since. He is still diabetic but he completely controls it with his diet. He just had his bloodwork done and, much to the astonishment of his endocrinologist, his A1C came back very good. His cholesterol is good, too. It does seem to be an individual issue, so what might work very well for one might now work as well for another. - Linda

References
Effect of coriander seed (Coriandrum sativum L.) ethanol extract on insulin release from pancreatic beta cells in streptozotocin?induced diabetic rats - Wiley Online Library
In vitro anti-diabetic effect and chemical component analysis of 29 essential oils products - Journal of Food and Drug Analysis
Essential Oil from Clove Bud (Eugenia aromatica Kuntze) Inhibit Key Enzymes Relevant to the Management of Type-2 Diabetes and Some Pro-oxidant Induced Lipid Peroxidation in Rats Pancreas in vitro - Journal of Oleo Science
Helichrysum and Grapefruit Extracts Boost Weight Loss in Overweight Rats Reducing Inflammation - Journal of Medicinal Food
Tisserand, Robert; Young, Rodney, (2014), Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals, UK, Elsevier Health Sciences UK 2nd Edition.