Along with conventional therapies, a large number of diabetes patients rely on alternative diabetes treatments for managing the blood sugar level and preventing diabetes related complications. Alternative therapies commonly used for treating diabetes include dietary supplements, Chinese medicine, acupuncture, Ayurvedic medicine, biofeedback, and relaxation therapies.
Various Alternative Diabetes Treatments
The effectiveness of acupuncture in lowering the blood glucose level and preventing diabetes related complications has been documented in a report published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1994. Clinical trials and scientific studies have revealed that acupuncture can help to activate the insulin producing cells in the pancreas.
This traditional Chinese therapy may affect the hypothalamus function, thereby preventing hypothalamic malfunction associated with diabetes. Studies have also documented the anti-obesity effect of acupuncture that may help in improving sensitivity to insulin.
Deficiency of certain trace minerals may affect the normal glucose metabolism process, leading to diabetes. Supplementation with at least 200mg of chromium per day can improve the blood glucose level. Chromium activates the insulin receptor cells. It aids in binding insulin to the cells, thereby improving glucose absorption.
Several studies have documented the positive effect of vanadium in improving insulin sensitivity. Consuming 100 mg of vanadium daily can reduce the serum glucose level in people suffering from type 2 diabetes or insulin resistant diabetes.
Vitamin B3 or nicotinamide plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism. It also helps to preserve the function of the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas. Studies suggest that vitamin B3 supplements are especially beneficial for people newly diagnosed with diabetes and type 1 diabetes patients who have developed the condition after puberty.
Researchers have observed that magnesium deficiency is common in type 2 diabetes patients. Moreover, magnesium deficiency increases the risk of developing diabetes related complications especially diabetic retinopathy. Magnesium supplements can be beneficial for diabetes patients.
Decreased antioxidant level is often blamed for poor pancreatic function and worsening of diabetes related complications. Hyperglycemia promotes free radical production, which needs to be countered with the help of a powerful antioxidant substance. Vitamin E, a powerful natural antioxidant, is widely recommended for suppressing the harmful activities of free radicals and reducing oxidative stress in diabetics.
Modern studies have documented the anti-diabetic property of numerous herbs recommended in the ancient Ayurvedic texts for treating diabetes. Some of the popular medicinal plants used as alternative to conventional diabetic drugs include bitter melon (Momordica charantia), Gymnema sylvestre, fenugreek, neem (Azadirachta indica), aloe vera, garlic, onion, curry leaf, Indian mustard leaf, Tinospora cordifolia, Swtria chirayita, basil, Cajanus cajan, and Eugenia jambolana.
Most of these herbs contain chemicals that aid regeneration of the beta cells in the pancreas. They also possess antioxidant properties that help to prevent oxidative stress resulting from hyperglycemia. Some of the anti-diabetic herbs improve insulin sensitivity by reducing the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, multiple therapies are used for treating diabetes. The blood sugar level is lowered by combining herbal formulations with acupuncture, diet therapy, Chinese massage and mind and body exercises. Treatments are individualized, devised according to the physical symptoms, body type, age and mental makeup of a patient. Herbs widely recommended in Traditional Chinese Medicine for normalizing the blood sugar level include Panax ginseng, Psidium gnajava, balsam pear and bottle gourd.
Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners recommend diabetes patients to add foods that help to cool the body such as soybean, celery, yam, pumpkin, turnip, sweet potato, string beans, tomato, millet, wheat bran, berries, guava, plum and crab apple to the daily diet.
The relaxing effect of massage therapy is recommended for reducing diabetes related complications. Elevated levels of stress hormone are often responsible for poor insulin sensitivity. The stress reducing effect of massage therapy lowers the level of the stress hormones, thereby improving the insulin sensitivity of the body cells.
Moreover, a full body massage boosts circulation, lowering the risk of developing diabetic neuropathy. The relaxation response of massage therapy can also decrease the blood pressure level and heart rate in diabetics.
In the traditional Indian medicine system, yoga plays an important role in reducing the blood sugar level and preventing blood sugar related complications. The yoga poses help in activating the beta cells in the pancreas. In addition, the relaxation effect of yoga helps in reducing stress.
Poor blood sugar management is often attributed to stress. According to a study, reported in the September 2005 issue of the journal Diabetes Care, practicing biofeedback for three months can bring significant reduction in the blood sugar level.
By increasing blood circulation, hydrotherapy may benefit type 2 diabetes patients, especially diabetics who cannot exercise.