Herbal Supplements and Alternative Treatments for Diabetes

• eating a healthy, controlled diet
• getting plenty of exercise
• monitoring blood glucose levels frequently
• using insulin, if necessary.

Diabetic Herbal Supplements

Nevertheless, certain herbal supplements do have proven health benefits for diabetics. While none of these should replace the overall lifestyle changes necessary for managing diabetes and your general health, for some people, these herbal supplements can add an enjoyable part of a balanced diet:

• Bitter Melon: In Asia, India and Africa, bitter melon is commonly used as a traditional remedy for diabetes. In fact, studies have proven bitter melon to have mild blood-sugar-lowering properties. However, bitter melon's effects have not been thoroughly studied in humans.
  
  
• Cinnamon: Many believe cinnamon can help control glucose levels and prevent sugar cravings. Although the precise effects of cinnamon on diabetes have yet to be proven, some studies have revealed that cinnamon can help boost antioxidants in the body and may help reduce metabolic syndrome, a condition characterized by a group of metabolic risk factors linked to the development of Type 2 diabetes.
  
  
• Fenugreek: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has declared that, when taken in small concentrations, fenugreek is "generally recognized as safe." Studies conducted on people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes showed that fenugreek did help improve blood glucose levels. In addition, fenugreek may also help improve blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
  
  
• Green Tea: Along with being an effective weight loss herb, green tea has antioxidants that have certain cancer-fighting properties. Some people claim that green tea helps to control and prevent sugar cravings, thereby helping control blood sugar levels. However, these effects have not been proved.
  
  Keep in mind that green tea does contain caffeine, which is not recommended for diabetics. Talk to your doctor about how green tea may affect your glucose levels before taking a significant amount of this herbal supplement.

Tips on Using Alternative Treatments for Diabetes

• Carefully monitor your blood sugar levels, more frequently than usual, while trying an herbal supplement for the first time. This will show you if it's helping and will help you detect any potential problems early.
  
  
• Check with your doctor to see whether any of these supplements could interact with any drugs you're currently taking or whether they could have any harmful side effects.
  
  
• Do not give any herbal supplements to children unless you have carefully discussed it with the child's pediatrician.
  
  
• Do not use any herbal supplements as a replacement for your existing treatment.
  
  
• Do not use any herbal supplements if you are pregnant or nursing.
  
  
• Keep careful track of any unusual symptoms you may have or side effects you experience. Discuss them with your doctor as soon as possible.
  
  
• Never take more than the recommended dose on the supplement's label, and follow the dosage guidelines carefully. If your doctor recommends a lower dose than the label, follow your doctor's orders.
  
  
• Only try one new supplement at a time so you can see its effect.

Resources

Adams, Mike (July 28, 2004). New Herbal Supplement Product Uses Green Tea and Cinnamon for Controlling Diabetes. Retrieved August 23, 2007, from the News Target Web site: http://www.newstarget.com/001534.html.