Conventional medicine is medicine as practiced by holders of MD (medical doctor) or DO (doctor of osteopathy) degrees and by their allied health professionals, such as nurses, physical therapists, and dietitians. Complementary and alternative medicine is a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Some practitioners of conventional medicine are also practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine.

There are many different complementary and alternative treatments for diabetes and its complications. This article will not discuss them all. Overall, there have been few rigorous studies published on the use of complementary and alternative diabetes treatments. Most of the literature has looked at herbal or other dietary supplements, which reflects the tradition in certain whole medical systems of using plant products with claimed effects on blood sugar.

Alternative Diabetes Treatments: What Are the Options?

Some complementary and alternative treatments for diabetes include:

* Acupuncture
* Biofeedback
* Chromium
* Ginseng
* Magnesium
* Vanadium.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a procedure in which a practitioner inserts needles into designated points on the skin. Some scientists believe that acupuncture triggers the release of the body’s natural painkillers. This alternative treatment has been shown to offer relief from chronic pain. Acupuncture is sometimes used by people with neuropathy, the painful nerve damage resulting from diabetes.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a technique that helps a person become more aware of and learn to deal with the body’s response to pain. This alternative diabetes treatment emphasizes relaxation and stress-reduction techniques. Guided imagery is a relaxation technique implemented by some professionals who use biofeedback. With guided imagery, a person thinks of peaceful mental images, such as ocean waves. A person may also include the images of controlling or curing a chronic disease, such as diabetes. People using this alternative treatment believe their condition can be eased with these positive images.

Chromium

The benefit of added chromium for diabetes has been studied and debated for several years. Several studies report that chromium supplementation may improve diabetes control. Chromium is needed to make glucose tolerance factor, which helps insulin improve its action. Because of insufficient information on the use of chromium as an alternative treatment for diabetes, however, no recommendations for chromium supplementation yet exist.

Ginseng

Several types of plants are referred to as ginseng, but most studies of ginseng and diabetes have used American ginseng. Those studies have shown some glucose-lowering effects in fasting and post-prandial (after meal) blood glucose levels, as well as in hemoglobin A1c levels (average blood glucose levels over a three-month period). However, larger and more long-term diabetes research studies are needed before doctors recommend using this alternative diabetes treatment. Researchers also have determined that the amount of glucose-lowering compound in ginseng plants varies widely.

Magnesium

Although the relationship between magnesium and diabetes has been studied for decades, it is not yet fully understood. Studies suggest that a deficiency in magnesium may worsen blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes. Scientists believe that a deficiency of magnesium interrupts insulin secretion in the pancreas and increases insulin resistance in the body’s tissues. Evidence suggests that a deficiency of magnesium may contribute to certain diabetes complications. A recent analysis showed that people with higher dietary intakes of magnesium (through consumption of whole grains, nuts, and green leafy vegetables) had a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Vanadium

Vanadium is a compound found in tiny amounts in plants and animals. Early studies showed that vanadium normalized blood glucose levels in animals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. A recent study found that when people with diabetes were given vanadium, they developed a modest increase in insulin sensitivity and were able to decrease their insulin requirements. Currently, researchers want to understand how vanadium works in the body, discover potential side effects, and establish safe dosages.

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