Millions of Americans today are suffering from diabetes, a group of diseases that is usually classified into:
- Type 1 diabetes, which makes up 5%-10% of all diagnosed diabetes cases
- Type 2 diabetes, which occurs mostly in older people and makes up a huge chunk of diabetes cases
- Gestational diabetes, which occurs to pregnant women
Effects of diabetes
In a normal body, food is broken down into glucose, which serves as fuel for cellular function. But if you have diabetes, your body’s ability to turn food into energy is weakened. Diabetics either do not produce enough insulin (a hormone that aids in glucose absorption in cells) or have cells that do not properly respond to insulin. Glucose then builds up in the blood instead of getting into cells. Blood with high glucose levels eventually affects the body’s organs, including the kidneys, eyes, skin, nerves, and blood vessels. This may also cause diabetic shock, which can result in death if not properly treated. Diabetics usually experience fatigue, excessive thirst and hunger, sudden weight loss, and wounds or sores that take time to heal. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for this disease, instead the symptoms can be managed or controlled to limit its adverse effects and prevent the condition from worsening. It is essential for a diabetic to control his or her blood glucose, levels of cholesterol, and blood pressure.
Treatment for diabetes
With the number of diabetics seemingly increasing every year, all kinds of treatments have been explored to prevent and treat this kind of disease. A number of conventional medical treatments have been available, controlling the disease itself as well as the possible complications that may arise. However, those who have not found success with the conventional methods of treatment also seek refuge through CAM, or complementary and alternative medicine therapies. Though there are people who have tried these methods and have claimed that they are indeed effective, some have expressed a bit of doubt if these therapies are really as effective as the conventional methods and if they are safe in the first place.
Let’s take a closer look at these alternative solutions one by one.
Supplements
Several supplements containing specific elements have been publicized to improve conditions for diabetes. One such element is chromium. Several studies have supported the significant role that chromium plays in benefiting diabetics, although there are no solid recommendations for its precise use.
Another element that has been the center of study in diabetes management is magnesium. The element is said to play a role in glucose control, since diabetics who lack magnesium are said to display abnormalities in insulin secretion.
There’s also vanadium, an element derived from plants. A number of studies have shown that vanadium enables a diabetic’s body to be more sensitive to insulin. However, as with chromium, recommendations for supplementation have not yet been attained.
Herbal remedies
Diabetics, especially those afflicted with type 2 diabetes, have been recommended to include a healthy amount of vegetables such as okra, buckwheat, broccoli, sage, peas, and fiber-rich foods in their diet. These vegetables are said to aid in controlling glucose levels in the blood. Other herbs and plants such as ginger, garlic ginseng, nettle, and hawthorn have also been considered for treatment, but without concrete results. Therefore, it is best to consult with a physician before taking any of these herbal remedies.
The link between obesity or excess weight and diabetes has also been proven, which makes weight loss and fitness crucial to some diabetics. Several ways of losing weight include taking herbs and supplements such as chitosan, pyruvate, Sauropus androgynus, aristolochic acid, skin patch systems, and oral sprays. These methods are supposed to suppress appetite, but no documented evidence has been established. A number of herbs have been advertised as safe because they are “natural,” although some, including Ephedrine, have been banned by the US FDA due to a number of side effects.
Hydrotherapy
Otherwise known as “hot tub therapy,” hydrotherapy has been said to reduce levels of blood sugar among type 2 diabetics by as much as 13%. Although several studies have confirmed this, it is still important for diabetic patients to consult with their physicians before undergoing this method.
Chromotherapy
Another alternative method of treating diabetes as well as other diseases is chromotherapy, wherein color bottles are used to let the body find its natural balance. Each color represents a specific curative property. For diabetes, the body is said to have a scarcity of oranges and yellows; thus, therapy with yellow, green, and orange is recommended to be done thrice a day.
In using CAM, it is imperative for both patients and caregivers to bear in mind that conventional methods should not to be replaced with alternative treatments and solutions, especially those CAM methods that have not been proven. Consultation with a physician should be done before any alternative treatment is used. Also, before one uses a herbal supplement in conjunction with conventional medicine, a doctor’s consent must be obtained, as dosages and effects have to be determined. Otherwise, one therapy method may counteract the effects of another and may actually cause a worsening of a patient’s condition.