Diabetes is a result of inefficiency or absence of insulin, the hormone that regulates levels of sugar in the blood. More than 20 million people in the U.S. have diabetes. The disease and its complications are the fifth leading cause of death in the country.
A growing body of preclinical and clinical research suggests the gel-like juice of the Aloe vera plant, in liquid or in dried form, displays significant antidiabetic activity. Aloecorp Inc. a manufacturer and distributor of aloe vera ingredients, offers the highest quality aloe vera via a patented method under the brands Activaloe, Certified Plus and Qmatrix.
Persons with diabetes have decreased antioxidant defenses with lower levels of antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, or reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes. Several animal studies show oral supplementation with aloe helps induce production of antioxidant enzymes and enhance the bioavailability and half-life of the antioxidant vitamins, ascorbate (vitamin C) and tocopherol (vitamin E).
Aloe vera gel has also been shown to help normalize blood sugar while having a beneficial effect on the liver and in cardiovascular disease. In a human clinical trial, patients treated with 1 tbsp. aloe vera juice (80 percent) twice daily showed significantly reduced blood sugar and blood triglycerides. Aloe vera is not recommended as a replacement for conventional treatments for diabetes.