Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Diabetes

Despite our advances in the treatment of diabetes, many patients still don't achieve target. Although many are comfortable with the traditional medications that we use to treat diabetes, many also seek alternatives. And there are alternatives in complementary and alternative medication. Generally speaking, complementary medication means taking a non traditional non western medication in addition to those, while alternative medication means taking it instead of that.

So what's the data there with diabetes? Well, there have been studies looking at a number of different non traditional complementary medications for diabetes. Unfortunately, many of them are of short duration, and not sufficiently powered to make clear conclusions that they are of benefit.

There are a number of natural health products that have been studied, particularly some at least for three months and have been showing promise with at least a reduction in the A1C of about point 5%. And there's a list of those available in the chapter on complementary and alternative medicine in the Canadian Diabetes Association clinical practice guidelines.

I would like to stress that there are some that are more popular and more commonly used for diabetes, such as chromium, and vitamin D. And these have actually been studied in a little more detail, and unfortunately, they have not been shown to be a benefit in the treatment of diabetes.

There are a number of other complementary and alternative therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, and hands on treatments such as chiropractic massage, etc. Unfortunately, many of these just don't have studies specific to diabetes to be able to make comments whether they are a benefit or not. Some such as acupuncture have shown some promise in some of the complications of diabetes such as gastroparesis for research or neuropathy, but again, they're very limited. So we recommend that there are some natural health products that are showing promise for the treatment of diabetes and they should be explored further. There are some that have really been shown not to be a benefit. And the most important thing is that patients should be telling their health care providers if they are taking any of these natural health products, because not only can some of them have side effects, but some of them may actually contain non declared medicinal products.

The important thing is that many people think that because they're natural health products, they're natural, and they don't have any side effects. And that's not the case. Many of them can have significant side effects or interactions with their other medications. So it is very important that people with diabetes let their healthcare professional know if they are taking any of these products.

For more information about complementary and alternative medicines for diabetes, speak to your physician, diabetes nurse educator or endocrinologist.

Presenter: Dr. Loren Grossman, Endocrinologist, Toronto, ON

Local Practitioners: Endocrinologist