Border line type two diabetes - herbs and foods?

by Kathie
(Perth,WA, Australia)

QUESTION:

By Kathie, Perth, Western Australia

A glucose tolerance test indicated that I was borderline type 2 diabetic. My morning home glucose readings range from 7.1 to 8.5 mmol/L, depending on dinner. After white rice, the next reading may be around 8 mmol/L; without rice, it may be around 7 mmol/L.

I am not taking diabetes medication because I am concerned about side effects. After drinking bitter-melon leaf tea throughout one day, my morning reading was 6.5 mmol/L. Should I continue drinking it? I also tried brown rice for the first time.

Quick Answer

Home fasting readings of 7.1–8.5 mmol/L—about 128–153 mg/dL—are above the laboratory fasting threshold used to diagnose diabetes, not merely prediabetes. However, a home glucose meter cannot establish the diagnosis. Arrange repeat laboratory fasting glucose and HbA1c promptly and ask for the complete glucose-tolerance-test results. One reading of 6.5 mmol/L after bitter-melon tea does not prove that the tea worked. Bitter melon has not been proven to replace established treatment, and drinking an unmeasured preparation throughout the day may cause side effects or interact with future medication.

Answer by Dr. Albana Greca, MD, MMedSc

Hello Kathie,

The priority is to clarify whether you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. “Borderline diabetes” is an imprecise older term.

Prediabetes or Diabetes?

For a laboratory fasting plasma glucose test:

  • Normal: below 5.6 mmol/L
  • Prediabetes: 5.6–6.9 mmol/L
  • Diabetes: 7.0 mmol/L or higher

Other thresholds include HbA1c of 6.5% or higher or a two-hour OGTT result of 11.1 mmol/L or higher. Diagnosis is usually confirmed with a second abnormal laboratory result.

Home readings of 7.1–8.5 mmol/L are concerning, but meters cannot diagnose diabetes. Ask for the exact OGTT values, laboratory fasting glucose and HbA1c. See our diabetes blood-test guide.

Did Bitter-Melon Tea Lower the Reading?

One result of 6.5 mmol/L does not establish cause and effect. Morning glucose varies with food, sleep, stress, exercise, illness, hydration and the dawn phenomenon.

Research has not proven that bitter melon reliably prevents or treats diabetes. Plant parts, preparations and doses vary.

Do not drink bitter-melon tea all day as though it were standardized medicine. It may cause digestive effects or interact with glucose-lowering drugs. Avoid it in pregnancy unless a clinician approves it.

Do not use one improved meter reading to delay testing or treatment. If you continue any herbal product, tell your doctor exactly what plant part, preparation and quantity you use. Read our evidence-based page on bitter melon and diabetes.

White Rice Versus Brown Rice

White rice often raises glucose quickly. Brown rice has more fiber but remains concentrated carbohydrate, so a large portion can still raise glucose substantially.

Portion and meal composition matter. Pair a modest portion with vegetables and protein. Alternatives include lentils, chickpeas, barley or smaller portions of basmati rice.

Do not judge food only from next morning’s glucose. When advised, compare similar portions before and about two hours after meals. See our carbohydrates guide.

A Practical Prediabetes Eating Plan

There is no requirement to eat four or five times daily or avoid specific meats solely because of prediabetes. Meal frequency should suit your needs.

  • Fill about half the plate with non-starchy vegetables.
  • Choose fish, eggs, tofu, legumes, poultry or other suitable protein.
  • Use measured portions of high-fiber carbohydrate.
  • Prefer whole fruit to juice and water to sweetened drinks.
  • Limit refined grains, large rice portions and heavily processed foods.
  • Choose an eating pattern you can maintain rather than a short “strict diet.”

A dietitian can help with realistic portions. See our prediabetes diet guide.

Exercise and Weight Management

Walking is effective; running is not required. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly, plus resistance exercise two or three times weekly.

With overweight or obesity, losing about 5%–7% can reduce diabetes risk. At a healthy weight, focus on fitness and sustainable eating.

Should Fear of Side Effects Prevent Medication?

Medicines have side effects, but untreated diabetes also carries risks. If testing confirms diabetes, discuss treatment promptly.

For prediabetes, lifestyle is the foundation. Metformin may be considered in selected higher-risk adults based on age, weight, glucose, HbA1c and gestational-diabetes history.

Medication is not failure. Compare its risks with leaving glucose above the diagnostic range. See type 2 treatment options.

How to Use the Glucose Meter

  • Wash and dry your hands before testing.
  • Use unexpired strips stored according to instructions.
  • Record dinner, activity, sleep and testing time.
  • Take the meter to your appointment and compare it with a laboratory test.
  • Do not diagnose or change treatment from one reading.

When to Contact a Doctor Promptly

Arrange an appointment soon because several fasting readings exceed 7.0 mmol/L. Seek urgent care for high glucose with vomiting, deep breathing, dehydration or confusion.

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This educational answer does not replace laboratory diagnosis or individualized treatment.

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