The use of alternative therapies for treatment of diabetes and other conditions has been the subject of government study within the past few years. Surveys have found that many patients with diabetes use CAM without telling their health care providers. Some use CAM in efforts to treat their diabetes. Others use CAM to treat conditions that coexist with their diabetes.
Alternative Therapies: Recommendations and Cautions
Much of the research regarding herbal and other alternative treatments has not met the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or other scientific and governmental agencies. Therefore, no CAM therapies have been approved by the FDA for treatment of diabetes. Although the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that patients with diabetes use nutritional therapy as their primary means of controlling blood sugar, the ADA does not recommend any alternative or complementary therapies for treatment of the disease.One safety concern, particularly with oral botanical therapies, is the difficulty in standardizing the contents and dosage of herbal medications. Potential interactions with other medicines are also an issue. As always, it’s important to keep one’s health care team well informed of any treatments, including alternative therapies.
Herbs, Minerals, and Dietary Supplements
People throughout the world have used indigenous plants and herbs to treat conditions like diabetes for centuries. Many of these remedies are now being scientifically tested to determine if they are, in fact, useful in treating the disease. So far, there is not much evidence that herbal supplements benefit people with diabetes.Several natural substances, though, have shown promise for diabetes treatment and are being investigated for their glucose-lowering effects. These include Coccinia indica, American ginseng, Momordica charantia, nopal, Gymemna sylvestre and aloe vera. Studies of American ginseng used in diabetes treatment, for example, including one reported in Diabetes Care magazine, have demonstrated that ginseng tends to lower blood glucose levels. It also appears to lower A1c levels, long-term measurements of blood glucose.
Some minerals, such as magnesium, are also being studied for their usefulness in treating diabetes. Some minerals already exist in tiny amounts in the human body and many should be included as part of a balanced and healthy diet. To this point, significantly higher doses of minerals are not recommended as standard therapy for diabetes. In addition to magnesium, other minerals being studied for effects on diabetes include nicotinamide, vitamin E, chromium and vanadium.
A high-fiber, low-glycemic-index diet is the mainstay of all diabetes therapy in both CAM and conventional medical practice. Other foods that have been studied in diabetes treatment include omega-3 fatty acids and cinnamon. Omega-3 fatty acids that exist in healthy foods, such as fish, have a positive effect on triglycerides in diabetes, but no effect on fasting glucose. Cinnamon may have a modest effect in lowering blood sugar. However, substituting these or any other foods for diabetic medications or a diabetic diet is not recommended.
Other Alternative Treatments for Diabetes
In addition to herbal, mineral and dietary supplements, various types of alternative treatments involving body work have been found to benefit some people with diabetes. The positive effects of these treatments are related to the reduction in blood sugar that occurs with relaxation. Because of this effect on blood sugar, however, any relaxation therapy — including hypnosis, biofeedback and massage — also carries a risk of hypoglycemia. People with diabetes must be aware of this potential risk and have a plan to treat hypoglycemia, should it occur. These alternative therapies include:- Acupuncture: Traditional Chinese medicine uses acupuncture to treat many conditions, including pain. Some people with pain related to diabetic neuropathy use acupuncture to provide pain relief. Research, including a study published in Diabetes Spectrum magazine, has shown that acupuncture can lower blood glucose levels.
- Massage: Massage can be used three ways in diabetes treatment. First, direct massage at insulin injection points helps promote insulin absorption and insulin use by the body, and directly contributes to lowering blood sugar levels. Second, massage can encourage relaxation, which has been shown to lower blood sugar levels. Third, massage can help relieve pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. Light massage (effleurage) should be used for patients with diabetic neuropathy who might be more prone to skin breakdown from heavier, more friction-based massage.
- Hypnotherapy: As a relaxation tool, hypnotherapy can help lower blood sugar levels. Hypnosis carries an additional benefit because it can help people manage unwanted behavior patterns, such as overeating or smoking, which are detrimental in diabetes.
- Biofeedback: Biofeedback refers to the process of using relaxation and other mindful techniques to increase body awareness and promote relaxation. This reduces blood glucose levels and promotes dilation of blood vessels in the extremities. Better blood flow may help relieve pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. Biofeedback combined with guided imagery may also be used to visualize control over various body systems. For example, it may enable the person with diabetes to guide the pancreas to produce more insulin, thus better controlling blood sugar levels.
