Diabetes treatment can include a variety of options, with a variety of complementary and alternative therapies claiming to treat diabetes in addition to conventional treatment.
Complementary and alternative medicine include health care strategies that are not part of standard Western medical practice and include a variety of disciplines, including everything from diet and exercise to mental conditioning and lifestyle changes.
But are the claims made about various products and therapies accurate? Here is some important information that should be known about diabetes and alternative treatments involving diet and supplements.
What are the alternative therapies?
Supplements
- Chromium is widely touted as a therapy to improve diabetes control. Although several studies support the benefit of chromium for diabetes, other studies do not confirm this. Currently, chromium is not recommended for diabetes management.
- Magnesium, as a therapy to improve glycemic control in diabetes, has been studied for many years. Magnesium deficiency is associated with abnormal insulin secretion and has been linked to diabetic complications.
- Vanadium is of plant origin, and certain studies have shown that vanadium increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin. To date, vanadium supplements have not been recommended for use in patients with diabetes.
Plant-based foods
The following plant foods have been found to help people with type 2 diabetes.
- Brewer’s yeast;
- Buckwheat;
- Broccoli and other related greens;
- Okra;
- Peas;
- Fenugreek seeds;
- Sage.
Most plant-based foods are rich in fiber, and fiber helps control blood sugar levels.
For many of the other herbs recommended for diabetes, such as garlic, ginger, ginseng, hawthorn, or nettle, there have been few or no clinical trials with satisfactory results. If you have diabetes and are considering using these herbs, please consult your doctor first.
Alternative weight loss products
Because of the link between weight and diabetes, many people with diabetes turn to the following alternative therapies that claim to help with weight loss:
- Chitosan;
- garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid);
- Chromium;
- Pyruvate;
- Sarcocarpus spp.
- Bitterbug;
- Mustard wood;
- Aristolochic acid.
In addition, transdermal (skin patch) systems have been developed as well as oral sprays that are claimed to reduce appetite and help with weight loss. One patch system uses homeopathic amounts of 29 different compounds to reduce appetite, however, there is no published literature on its effectiveness.
Concerns about the safety of herbs
In 2003, ephedrine (also known as ephedra) became the first herbal stimulant ever banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Ephedrine is a common ingredient in over-the-counter diet pills and has some benefits. However, the evidence regarding its ability to cause harm is more compelling. At high doses, ephedrine is known to cause insomnia (difficulty sleeping), hypertension, glaucoma, and urinary retention. This herbal supplement has also been associated with many strokes.
Chitosan is derived from shells and has the ability to bind to fat and block its absorption. Although this is claimed to help with weight loss, the available research is not encouraging.
Studies have found that Staphylococcus spp, bitter gourd, Shoujo wood and aristolochic acid are associated with liver disease, lung disease and kidney disease.
The other so-called “obesity cures” listed above have not been rigorously studied, and the studies that have been conducted have yielded disappointing results.
In addition, a recent study of weight loss herbal preparations found that many contained lead, arsenic, and other toxic metals. Some also contained other undeclared ingredients.
Before using herbal products for diabetes
The following recommendations should be taken when considering the use of herbal products to treat diabetes.
- Discuss any medications you want to use, including herbal products, with your doctor before using them.
- If you experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, insomnia, diarrhea, or rash, stop using the herbal product immediately and tell your doctor.
- Avoid using preparations prepared from more than one herb.
- Beware of commercial claims about the efficacy of herbal products and seek out science-based sources of information.
- Choose brands carefully. Buy only brands that list the herb’s common and scientific name, manufacturer’s name and address, lot and batch number, expiration date, dosing guidelines, and possible side effects.