According to a study published in the Israeli scientific and medical journal Harefuah in August 2011, a trip to the beach could be just the thing for people who have Type 2 diabetes.
The study, conducted at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, included 14 people with Type 2 diabetes and 6 healthy non-diabetics.
When the people with diabetes were immersed in warm Dead Sea water for 20 minutes, their blood sugar levels dropped from an average of 163 mg/dL (9 mmol/L) to 151 mg/dL (8.
4 mmol/L), and their levels continued to drop to an average of 141 mg/dL (7.
8 mmol/L) an hour after they left the water.
When diabetics were immersed in non-salty water, only insignificant differences in their blood sugar levels were measured.
After being immersed in the sea, it was found the diabetic's:

• insulin,
• cortisol, and
• c-peptide levels

were the same as those of the healthy non-diabetic volunteers.
(Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland, and actually raises the blood sugar level.
C-peptide is a molecule that participates in making insulin).
The Dead Sea is one of the saltiest lakes in the world.
This is due to the dry air and hot climate around it, causing its water to evaporate and leave the salt behind.
The lake's water has more than 10 times the amount of salt as average seawater.
Most salts found in seawater and the Dead Sea are formed from chloride or bromide and sodium, magnesium, calcium, or potassium.
The Dead Sea has more than 100 times more chloride than seawater and more sodium, magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
It is believed by some to be beneficial for psoriasis, anxiety, arthritis, and heart problems.
Clinics situated on the shores of the Dead Sea are oriented mostly toward treating psoriasis and arthritis, but since psoriasis is common among diabetics, it might be possible to kill two birds with one stone...

• the Dead Sea clinic within the international spa Ein-Bokek located on the shores, offers a variety of programs including bathing in the local water, physical therapy and more.
  
• the Dead Sea MOR clinic boasts a solarium also on the shores.
  
• the LOT Spa Hotel is another place where patients go for treatment.
  
• or patients can stay anywhere in Israel and take a short trip to visit these shores.
  

Minerals from the Dead Sea are also available around the world.
A company called Ahava (love) offers a variety of skin products with Dead Sea minerals.
Ahava's bath salts can be added to your own bath to replicate the conditions at the Dead Sea at a much lower price, and some bath salts come with the added attractions of honey oil, juniper, eucalyptus, or hope blossoms.