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Home > Alternative Treatments For Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes doesn't just affect blood sugar and insulin secretionit also
can lead to a host of other problems including kidney damage, blood vessel
thickening, nerve damage and pain. Find out more below about common
alternative and complementary methods, vitamins, minerals, herbs and foods
used to treat type 2 diabetes and other conditions associated with it.

Acetyl L-Carnitine
In a double-blind study of people with diabetic neuropathy, supplementing with
acetyl-L-carnitine was significantly more effective than a placebo in improving
subjective symptoms of neuropathy and objective measures of nerve function.
People who received 1,000 mg of acetyl-L-carnitine three times per day
tended to fare better than those who received 500 mg three times per day.

Aloe
Two small controlled human trials have found that aloe, either alone or in
combination with the oral hypoglycemic drug, glibenclamide, effectively lowers
blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful natural antioxidant. Preliminary and double
blind trials have found that supplementing 600 to 1,200 mg of lipoic acid per
day improves insulin sensitivity and the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. In a
preliminary study, supplementing with 600 mg of alpha lipoic acid per day for
18 months slowed the progression of kidney damage in patients with type 2
diabetes.

American Ginseng
In a small pilot study, 3 grams of American ginseng was found to lower the rise
in blood sugar following the consumption of a drink high in glucose by people
with type 2 diabetes.

Antioxidants
Because oxidation damage is believed to play a role in the development of
diabetic retinopathy, antioxidant nutrients might be protective. One doctor has
administered a daily regimen of 500 mcg selenium, 800 IU vitamin E, 10,000
IU vitamin A, and 1,000 mg vitamin C for several years to 20 people with
diabetic retinopathy. During that time, 19 of the 20 people showed either
improvement or no progression of their retinopathy. People who wish to
supplement with more than 250 mcg of selenium per day should consult a
healthcare practitioner.

More from Preventions: 8 Foods With Antioxidant Power

Asian Ginseng
A double-blind trial found that 200 mg of Asian ginseng per day improved
blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Basil
Preliminary studies on holy basil and hairy basil have shown that the leaf and
seed may help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels.
While the action-mechanism of the leaf is not understood, the seed may work
by providing dietary fiber, which helps prevent rapid blood sugar elevations
after meals.

Bilberry
Anthocyanosides, the flavonoid complex in bilberries, are potent antioxidants.
They support normal formation of connective tissue and strengthen capillaries
in the body. Anthocyanosides may also improve capillary and venous blood
flow. Bilberry may also prevent blood vessel thickening due to type 2
diabetes.
Biotin
Biotin is a B vitamin needed to process glucose. When people with type 2
diabetes were given 9 mg of biotin per day for two months, their fasting
glucose levels dropped dramatically. Biotin may also reduce pain from diabetic
nerve damage. Some doctors try 9 to 16 mg of biotin per day for a few weeks
to see if blood sugar levels will fall.

Bitter Melon
At least three different groups of constituents in bitter melon have been
reported to have blood-sugar lowering actions of potential benefit in type 2
diabetes. These include a mixture of steroidal saponins known as charantin,
insulin-like peptides, and alkaloids. It is still unclear which of these is most
effective, or if all three work together. Some clinical trials have confirmed the
benefit of bitter melon for people with diabetes. [pagebreak]

Cayenne
Cayenne contains a resinous and pungent substance known as capsaicin.
Numerous double-blind trials have proven topically applied capsaicin creams
are helpful for a range of conditions, including nerve pain in diabetes (diabetic
neuropathy).

Chromium
Chromium has been shown to improve glucose levels and related variables in
people with glucose intolerance and gestational, steroid-induced and type 2
diabetes. Improved glucose tolerance with lower or similar levels of insulin has
been reported in more than ten trials of chromium supplementation in people
with varying degrees of glucose intolerance. Chromium supplements improve
glucose tolerance in people with type 2 diabetes, apparently by increasing
sensitivity to insulin. Chromium improves the processing of glucose in people
with prediabetic glucose intolerance and in women with diabetes associated
with pregnancy. Chromium even helps healthy people, although one such
report found chromium useful only when accompanied by 100 mg of niacin
per day. Chromium may also lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol,
and triglycerides (risk factors in heart disease).

Cinnamon
Test tube studies show that cinnamon can augment the action of insulin.
However, use of cinnamon to improve the action of insulin in people with type
2 diabetes has yet to be proven in clinical trials.

Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is needed for normal blood sugar metabolism.
Animals with diabetes have been reported to be CoQ10 deficient. People with
type 2 diabetes have been found to have significantly lower blood levels of
CoQ10 compared with healthy people. In one trial, blood sugar levels fell
substantially in 31% of people with diabetes after they supplemented with 120
mg per day of CoQ7, a substance similar to CoQ10. The importance of
CoQ10 supplementation for people with diabetes remains an unresolved
issue, though some doctors recommend approximately 50 mg per day as a
way to protect against possible effects associated with diabetes-induced
depletion. (Read more about CoQ10 with the Best Supplements For Women.)

Crepe Myrtle
Lagerstroemia speciosa, commonly known as crepe myrtle, grows in various
tropical countries and Australia. In folk medicine it has been used to treat
diabetes. In a preliminary study of people with type 2 diabetes, supplementing
with an extract from the leaves of Lagerstroemia speciosa for two weeks
resulted in a fall in blood-glucose levels averaging 20 to 30%. The amount
used was 32 or 48 mg of a product standardized to contain 1% corosolic acid
(a putative active ingredient). The larger amount was somewhat more effect
than the smaller amount. Although these results are promising, additional
studies are needed to demonstrate the long-term safety and efficacy of this
herbal preparation.

Evening Primrose Oil


Supplementing with 4 grams of evening primrose oil per day for six months
has been found in double-blind research to improve nerve function and to
relieve pain symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.

Fenugreek
One human study found that fenugreek can help lower cholesterol and blood
sugar levels in people with moderate atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes.
Preliminary and double-blind trials have found that fenugreek helps improve
blood sugar control in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Fish Oil
Glucose tolerance improves in healthy people taking omega-3 fatty acid
supplements, and some studies have found that fish oil supplementation also
improves glucose tolerance, high triglycerides, and cholesterol levels in
people with type 2 diabetes. And in one trial, people with diabetic neuropathy
and diabetic nephropathy experienced significant improvement when given
600 mg three times per day of purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)one of
the two major omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil supplementsfor 48
weeks. However, other studies have found that type 2 diabetes worsens with
fish oil supplementation. Until this issue is resolved, people with diabetes
should feel free to eat fish, but they should consult a doctor before taking fish
oil supplements.

Fructo-Oligosaccharides (FOS)
In a preliminary trial, supplementation with fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) (8
grams per day for two weeks) significantly lowered fasting blood-sugar levels
and serum total-cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. However, in
another trial, supplementing with FOS (15 grams per day) for 20 days had no
effect on blood-glucose or lipid levels in people with type 2 diabetes. In
addition, some double-blind trials showed that supplementing with FOS or
galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) for eight weeks had no effect on blood-sugar
levels, insulin secretion, or blood lipids in healthy people. Because of these
conflicting results, more research is needed to determine the effect of FOS on
diabetes and lipid levels.

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Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba extract may prove useful for prevention and treatment of early-
stage diabetic neuropathy, though research is at best very preliminary in this
area.

Glucomannan
Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber derived from konjac root
(Amorphophallus konjac) that delays stomach emptying, leading to a more
gradual absorption of dietary sugar. This effect can reduce the elevation of
blood sugar levels that is typical after a meal. After-meal blood sugar levels
are lower in people with diabetes given glucomannan in their food, and overall
diabetic control is improved with glucomannan-enriched diets, according to
preliminary and controlled clinical trials. One preliminary report suggested that
glucomannan may also be helpful in pregnancy-related diabetes. For
controlling blood sugar, 500 to 700 mg of glucomannan per 100 calories in the
diet has been used successfully in controlled research.

Gymnema
The hypoglycemic (blood sugar-lowering) action of gymnema leaves was first
documented in the late 1920s. This action is attributed to members of a family
of substances called gymnemic acids. Gymnema leaves raise insulin levels,
according to research in healthy volunteers. Based on animal studies, this
may be due to regeneration of the cells in the pancreas that secrete insulin, or
by increasing the flow of insulin from these cells. Other animal research
shows that gymnema can also reduce glucose absorption from the intestine,
improve uptake of glucose into cells, and prevent adrenal hormones from
stimulating the liver to produce glucose, thereby reducing blood sugar levels.

Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a traditional remedy in India for diabetes; this treatment is
supported by preliminary studies from that country and by animal studies.
Hibiscus is usually taken as tea, such as 1 to 2 teaspoons (3 to 6 grams) of
dried flower infused in to 1 cup (250 ml) three times per day.

Inositol
Inositol is needed for normal nerve function. Diabetic neuropathy has been
reported in some, but not all, trials to improve with inositol supplementation
(500 mg taken twice per day).

L-Carnitine
L-carnitine is an amino acid needed to properly utilize fat for energy. When
people with diabetes were given DL-carnitine (0.5 mg per 2.2 pounds of body
weight), high blood levels of fatsboth cholesterol and triglyceridesdropped
25 to 39% in just ten days in one trial.

Magnesium
People with type 2 diabetes tend to have low magnesium levels. Double-blind
research indicates that supplementing with magnesium overcomes this
problem. Magnesium supplementation has improved insulin production in
elderly people with type 2 diabetes. However, one double-blind trial found no
effect from 500 mg magnesium per day in people with type 2 diabetes,
although twice that amount led to some improvement. Elders without diabetes
can also produce more insulin as a result of magnesium supplements,
according to some, but not all, trials. However, in people with type 2 diabetes
who nonetheless require insulin, Dutch researchers have reported no
improvement in blood sugar levels from magnesium supplementation. The
American Diabetes Association acknowledges strong associations between
magnesium deficiency and insulin resistance but has not said magnesium
deficiency is a risk factor. Many doctors, however, recommend that people
with diabetes and normal kidney function supplement with 200 to 600 mg of
magnesium per day. (Learn more about magnesium.)

Medium-Chain Triglycerides
Based on the results of a short-term clinical trial that found that medium-chain
triglycerides (MCT) lower blood glucose levels, a group of researchers
investigated the use of MCT to treat people with type 2 diabetes.
Supplementation with MCT for an average of 17.5% of their total calorie intake
for 30 days failed to improve most measures of diabetic control.

Mistletoe
Test tube and animal studies suggest that mistletoe extracts can stimulate
insulin secretion from pancreas cells and may improve blood sugar levels in
people with type 2 diabetes. Given both mistletoes tradition around the world
for helping people with diabetes and these promising preclinical results,
human clinical trials are needed to establish mistletoes potential for this
condition.

Multiple Vitamin-Mineral Supplements


In a double-blind study, supplementation of middle-aged and elderly diabetics
with a multiple vitamin and mineral preparation for one year reduced the risk
of infection by more than 80%, compared with a placebo.

[pagebreak]

Olive Leaf
Olive leaf extracts have been employed experimentally to lower elevated
blood-sugar levels in animals with diabetes. These results have not been
reproduced in human clinical trials and as such, no clear conclusions can be
made from this animal study in the treatment of diabetes.

Onion
Two sets of compounds make up the majority of onions known active
constituentssulfur compounds, such as allyl propyl disulphide (APDS), and
flavonoids, such as quercetin. APDS has been shown to block the breakdown
of insulin by the liver and possibly to stimulate insulin production by the
pancreas, thus increasing the amount of insulin and reducing sugar levels in
the blood. Several uncontrolled human studies and at least one double-blind
clinical trial have shown that large amounts of onion can lower blood sugar
levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Onion does not reduce blood sugar
levels in healthy nondiabetic people.

Psyllium
Psyllium supplementation has improved blood sugar levels in some people
with diabetes. The soluble fiber component of psyllium is believed to account
for this effect.
Quercetin
Doctors have suggested that quercetin might help people with diabetes
because of its ability to reduce levels of sorbitola sugar that accumulates in
nerve cells, kidney cells, and cells within the eyes of people with type 2
diabetesand has been linked to damage to those organs. Clinical trials have
yet to explore whether quercetin actually protects people with diabetes from
neuropathy, nephropathy, or retinopathy. (Learn more about quercetin here.)

Reishi
Animal studies and some very preliminary trials in humans suggest reishi may
have some beneficial action in people with type 2 diabetes and cancer.

Starch Blockers
Starch blockers are substances that inhibit amylase, the digestive enzyme
required to break down dietary starches for normal absorption. Controlled
research has demonstrated that concentrated starch blocker extracts, when
given with a starchy meal, can reduce the usual rise in blood sugar levels of
both healthy people and diabetics. While this effect could be helpful in
controlling type 2 diabetes, no research has investigated the long-term effects
of taking starch blockers for this condition.

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Vitamin B1
A controlled trial in Africa found that supplementing with both vitamin B1 (25
mg per day) and vitamin B6 (50 mg per day) led to significant improvement of
symptoms of diabetic neuropathy after four weeks. However, since this was a
trial conducted among people in a vitamin B1deficient developing country,
these improvements might not occur in other people with diabetes. Another
trial found that combining vitamin B1 (in a special fat-soluble form) and vitamin
B6 plus vitamin B12 in high but variable amounts led to improvement in some
aspects of diabetic neuropathy in 12 weeks. As a result, some doctors
recommend that people with diabetic neuropathy supplement with vitamin B1,
though the optimal level of intake remains unknown.

Vitamin B3
The intake of large amounts of niacin (a form of vitamin B3), such as 2 to 3
grams per day, may impair glucose tolerance and should be used by people
with type 2 diabetes only with medical supervision. Smaller amounts (500 to
750 mg per day for one month followed by 250 mg per day) may help some
people with type 2 diabetes, though this research remains preliminary.
Vitamin B6
Many people with type 2 diabetes have low blood levels of vitamin B6. Levels
are even lower in people with diabetes who also have nerve damage
(neuropathy). Vitamin B6 supplementation has improved glucose tolerance in
women with diabetes caused by pregnancy. Vitamin B6 supplementation is
also effective for glucose intolerance induced by birth control pills. In a trial
that included people with type 2 diabetes, 1,800 mg per day of a special form
of vitamin B6pyridoxine alpha-ketoglutarateimproved glucose tolerance
dramatically. Standard vitamin B6 has helped in some, but not all, trials.

Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is needed for normal functioning of nerve cells. Vitamin B12
taken orally has reduced symptoms of nerve damage caused by diabetes in
39% of people studied; when given both intravenously and orally, two-thirds of
people improved. In a preliminary trial, people with nerve damage due to
kidney disease or to diabetes plus kidney disease received intravenous
injections of 500 mcg of methylcobalamin (the main form of vitamin B12 found
in the blood) three times a day for six months in addition to kidney dialysis.
Nerve pain was significantly reduced and nerve function significantly improved
in those who received the injections. Oral vitamin B12 up to 500 mcg three
times per day is recommended by some practitioners. (Read more about
Vitamin B12.)

Vitamin C
Vitamin C may reduce glycosylation. Vitamin C also lowers sorbitol levels in
people with type 2 diabetes. Sorbitol is a sugar that can accumulate inside the
cells and damage the eyes, nerves, and kidneys of people with diabetes.
Vitamin C may improve glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetes, although not
every study confirms this benefit. Vitamin C supplementation (500 mg twice a
day for one year) has significantly reduced urinary protein loss in people with
diabetes. Urinary protein loss (also called proteinuria) is associated with poor
prognosis in diabetes. Many doctors suggest that people with diabetes
supplement with 1 to 3 grams per day of vitamin C. Higher amounts could be
problematic, however. In one person, 4.5 grams per day was reported to
increase blood sugar levels. (Learn more about vitamin C.)

Vitamin D
Vitamin D is needed to maintain adequate blood levels of insulin. Vitamin D
receptors have been found in the pancreas where insulin is made, and
preliminary evidence suggests that supplementation can improve some
measures of blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. Not enough is
known about optimal amounts of vitamin D for people with diabetes, and high
amounts of vitamin D can be toxic; therefore, people with diabetes considering
vitamin D supplementation should talk with a doctor and have their vitamin D
status assessed.

Vitamin E
People with low blood levels of vitamin E are more likely to develop type 1 and
type 2 diabetes. Vitamin E supplementation has improved glucose tolerance
in people with type 2 diabetes in most, but not all, double-blind trials. Vitamin
E has also improved glucose tolerance in elderly people without diabetes.
Three months or more of at least 900 IU of vitamin E per day may be required
for benefits to become apparent.

Zinc
People with type 2 diabetes tend to be zinc deficient, but some evidence
indicates that zinc supplementation does not improve their ability to process
sugar. Nonetheless, many doctors recommend that people with type 2
diabetes supplement with moderate amounts of zinc (15 to 25 mg per day) as
a way to correct the deficit.

More from Prevention: The 100 Best Supplements For Women

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