Living with diabetes is extremely difficult. It’s not only the struggle of eating right and exercising, but it has an emotional toll on people as well.
Diabetes can be extremely frustrating at times because there are things that you just cannot eat or drink anymore. However, it doesn’t mean that your life needs to revolve around what you can and cannot eat.
Chinen Salt comes to the rescue! Chinese herbs such as this one are effective for treating type 2 diabetes. Despite having some compounds that are considered salts, Chinen salt is considered a better alternative to diabetes medications.
Rather than being used for cooking, this salt is meant for diabetic patients. This article explains what Chinen salt is, what its benefits are, and how you can use it.
Table of Contents
What is Chinen Salt?
Over the years, Chinen salt has gained popularity due to its benefits for diabetes. Chinese goldthread (Coptis Chinensis) is the herb that gives the salt its name.
Often confused with pink Himalayan salt and sea salt, Chinese salt comes from the Himalayas. Their only similarity is their origin. Himalayan salt is used as table salt, whereas Chinen salt is consumed as medicine replacement.
Chinen salt has a pink hue due to the presence of berberine. Additionally, it contains sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, iron, and monosodium glumate. It is possible to consume Chinese salt as a salt substitute, but it is not recommended.
The primary compound of Chinen salt is Berberine, which is known to be an alternative to Metformin. There are plants that contain it, including barberry, tree turmeric, and goldthread, and it is consumed by those with type 2 diabetes and high blood sugar levels.
It also contains:
- Chromium
- Magnesium
- Vanadium
- Manganese
Is Chinen Salt the Same as Himalayan Salt?
Though both Chinese salt and Himalayan rock salt originate from the Himalayas, their properties are different.
Many people confuse Himalayan pink salt with Chinen salt. Himalayan salt is mined from the rocks of the Himalayas and has a pink hue due to mineral deposits. It is much like sea salt. You can use Himalayan pink salt in your cooking as well.
Like Himalayan pink salt, Chinese salt also has a pink hue. Berberine is what makes Chinese salt a salt. Berberine has been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.
While it is referred to as ‘Chinen salt’, it has no salty qualities, and it is consumed as a supplement. While Himalayan salt, on the other hand, can be used for cooking or as table salt.
Is Chinen Salt Good for Diabetes?
To understand how Chinen salt relates to diabetes, one must first understand what diabetes is. Diabetes is a chronic disease caused by a lack of insulin or inefficient insulin production.
By releasing insulin hormones, the pancreas transfers sugar from the blood to the cells. Diabetes occurs when the sugar from the blood does not transfer to the cells due to inadequate or ineffective insulin support.
The two types of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2. Unfortunately, a person with type-1 diabetes cannot benefit from Chinen salt. Chinen won’t provide insulin to a patient with type 1 diabetes, as that condition is genetic. Diabetes type 1 typically affects those younger than 30.
A common risk factor for type 2 diabetes is age over 30. The pancreas releases more insulin hormones to control blood sugar levels in this type of diabetes, which causes insulin resistance in the body.
Berberine, the ingredient present in Chinese salt, has been suggested as an alternative to Metformin, one of the most popular diabetes medicines. Berberine is said to lower blood sugar levels and prevent type-2 diabetes.
People with pre-diabetes can use berberine to raise insulin sensitivity, boost liver sugar production and manage blood sugar levels.
Benefits of Chinen Salt
There are many benefits to using Chinese salt on your body. Below are some of them:
1. Lowers Blood Sugar Level
Chinen salt can provide a lot of benefits for those suffering from type 2 diabetes. It contains berberine, an alternative to Metformin.
Berberine helps in:
- Increasing good gut bacteria
- Getting the liver to release less sugar
- Enhances glycolysis to break down sugar
- Inhibits insulin resistance
Some people have reported improved blood sugar levels after consuming Chinen salt, but you should consult your doctor before trying it.
2. Reduces Cholesterol
With old age come many health concerns. Cholesterol is one of them. High cholesterol levels have a negative impact on cardiovascular health, leading to premature death.
The berberine present in Chinen salt can reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL) levels quite effectively.
Researchers observed a 3-month research involving 116 individuals with type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol levels who took 1 gram of berberine daily, and total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly reduced.
3. Promotes Weight Loss
Chinen salt is perfect for those who are overweight or obese. Despite the lack of research on Chinen salt for weight loss, berberine has shown visible weight loss results.
Berberine reduces excess body weight by regulating hormones such as insulin, leptin, and adiponectin.
4. Controls Acne
Both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine use berberine as a detoxifier. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties assist in the treatment of acne and acne scars. With this salt, you won’t get breakouts from salt consumption.
5. Reduces Blood Pressure
Studies have found that combining berberine with amlodipine (blood pressure medication) lowers blood pressure levels more effectively than using the medication alone.
If you plan to mix anything with your medication, be sure to check with your doctor first.
6. Improves respiratory function
Chinen salt may be beneficial to people with respiratory illnesses, such as asthma. This salt purifies the respiratory tract while providing relief while breathing.
7. Balances Electrolyte
Electrolytes play a critical role in many bodily processes. They conduct nerve impulses, contract muscles, keep you hydrated and regulate your body’s pH levels. Chinen salt contains potassium and sodium, which balance the body’s electrolytes.
8. Improves kidney health
Berberine may help with more than just blood sugar control. Those with type 2 diabetes are more prone to have high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as kidney problems.
Berberine protects against these side effects by controlling blood fat levels and protecting your kidneys through its anti-inflammatory properties.
9. Relief from digestive disorders
It is beneficial for the stimulation of digestion, as it facilitates the production of digestive fluid. Chinen Salt can also help us get our food through our intestines to help us overcome digestive disorders. Also found in it, magnesium and calcium reduce cholesterol levels and maintain blood pressure, making it an excellent treatment for hypertension.
Although these findings are encouraging, there is still a need for more extensive study of berberine-containing supplements, such as chinen salt.
How to Use Chinen Salt for Diabetes?
Knowing a lot about Chinen salt, you probably ask yourself now “does it really help? How do I use it?” Even though it is a herbal supplement, you shouldn’t overdo it.
Adults are advised not to consume more than 10 milligrams of chinen salt per day. Overconsumption of salt leads to excessive water retention. If you plan on using this ingredient, consult your doctor first.
Here are some ways to consume Chinen salt:
- As an alternative to table salt – Yes, you can use this salt to prepare your regular meals, but it’s not recommended that you do so. If you err on the side of caution, you may damage more than good.
- Mixing with salads – Salad, whether you have diabetes or not, is healthy. Your salad will have a vibrant taste and be healthy with a pinch of chinen salt.
- Mixing with drinks – Whether it’s fresh fruit juice or a milkshake, chinen salt will improve the taste of your drink and make it healthier.
- Chinensis capsules – Ideal for diabetics and people with heart conditions. Controlling your salt intake is easy with Chinen salt capsules.
NOTE: Before you choose to consume Chinen salt, it’s important to speak with your doctor to determine how much you should take.
Where to Buy Chinen Salt for Diabetes?
Chinen salt isn’t as widely available as table salt or sea salt, but it can be easily found on Amazon and other websites. Also, your local pharmacy might have it.
You can buy this salt either in capsules or in granules. The following products contain Chinensis Coptis as their primary ingredient:
- AMG Naturals Chinese Coptis (Capsules): click here to buy!
- Supreme Nutrition Golden Thread Chinensis (Capsules): click here to buy!
- BulkSupplements.com Coptis Chinensis Extract (Powder): click here to buy!
Make sure you check the manufacturing and expiration dates, reviews, and side effects of any product before buying it.
Dosage
There is a specific dose for both chinen and table salt. Salt, in any form, is harmful if taken in excess. Besides diabetics, those with high blood pressure and cholesterol can use Chinese salt.
Each concern requires a different dosage of the supplement. Below are the recommended dosages for each concern:
- Diabetes – 0.7 to 1.5 grams of berberine divided in a day for 4-5 months is suggested for controlling blood sugar levels.
- PCOD – 1-1.5 grams of berberine every day for six months is suggested for improving hormonal balance.
- High Blood Pressure – 0.9 grams of berberine daily is suggested to a person with high BP for 2-4 months.
- Cholesterol – 0.6-1.5 grams of berberine every day for 6- 24 months is recommended for a person having a high cholesterol level.
- Crank Sores – A gel containing 5 mg is to be applied four times a day for five days.
NOTE: If you are on medication, it’s better to take advice from a certified doctor before including Berberine in your routine. Supplements may interact negatively with your medication.
Side Effects & Precautions
Chinen salt has its own set of side effects, like any other health supplement. The primary compound in Chinen salt, berberine, is highly beneficial, but it also has some side effects.
Berberine has the following side effects:
- Gas
- Constipation
- Digestion problems
- Headache
- Stomach cramps
As your body adjusts over time to these side effects, you don’t need any medication to treat them. Nevertheless, if the problem persists, stop taking Chinen salt or Berberine and seek medical attention right away.
Including a particular medicine in your everyday routine requires you to be careful. Consider the following factors before adding berberine to your regimen:
- Avoid if you are pregnant – Berberine can have negative effects on the fetus, such as brain damage.
- Avoid if you have low blood pressure – Berberine lowers blood pressure, making it an unwise choice for someone with low blood pressure.
- Do not miss your dose –if you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If you have a next dose session soon, don’t take the missed dose.
- Do not keep it in a wet or warm place – Keep it at room temperature and do not allow it to come in contact with air, sunlight, or heat, since they can cause it to degrade.
The side effects of Chinese salt appear to be minimal. However, there is little information about their long-term effects. Speak with your doctor before trying chinen salt.
The takeaway
If you’re looking for a way to manage your diabetes, Chinen salt may be worth trying. But before you take the leap and start using this supplement as part of your daily routine, it is important that you speak with a doctor first about whether or not it could worsen any preexisting conditions. Anyone interested in finding out more should research Chinen salt for diabetes.
