Herbs and Supplements and Diabetes

June 24, 2008

Amy Tenderich

Natural herbs and dietary supplements certainly sound like the panacea of good health. Many of them even promise to “cure” or “reverse” your diabetes. While science tells us that no herb can do that, some are documented to help control blood glucose (BG) levels.

Personally, I receive a torrent of emails pushing various herbal remedies for diabetes. There’s so much hype that it’s hard to know which herbs or supplements offer any real value at all. So I decided it was time to do a little homework. I discovered the following interesting bits of information about some herbal substances that seem to have a legitimate effect on diabetes and/or your overall health.

(NOTE: This information is compiled from various reputable websites and from the research of diabetes author Gretchen Becker. A great comprehensive overview is also available from Diabetes Self-Management magazine.)

* Cinnamon -- well-documented studies show that cinnamon helps lower BG levels and "normalize" lipids in Type 2 diabetics. Experts have even gone so far as to call cinnamon (and its water-soluble extract) "a natural version of insulin" because the effects were so profound. Apparently this common and tasty spice is truly helpful. (Who knew? Too bad I'm not a cinnamon fan.)

* Ginseng -- one of the most popular supplements in the US, sold in tablet form and in herbal teas, primarily as an energy booster. It has been reported to lower BG levels, but the many varieties have different effects, therefore you may end up raising your BG, sources say.

* Bilberry -- (not blueberry) leaves have also been reported to help with BG control, consumed in an anti-diabetic tea. The berries are a rich source of antioxidants (compounds that may decrease the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases) and may improve circulation, thus have been suggested as a treatment for diabetic retinopathy. But use in small quantities, please, as too much bilberry can be toxic.

* Gymnema Sylvestre -- an Indian herb used in Ayurveda, the ancient Hindi medicine system of India. Ingesting the leaves causes gradual hypoglycemic actions, and also helps lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides. A 2001 study by diabetes educators in Nebraska confirmed that this herb improves glycemic control in Type 2 patients, significantly reducing postprandial (after-meal) BG levels and decreasing A1c results.

* Gingko Biloba -- used primarily to increase circulation. But since it is a blood thinner, it should be used with caution, especially if you're already taking any other type of blood-thinning substance.

* Evening Primrose Oil -- studies indicate that the GLA (gammalinolenic acid) in evening primrose oil can help prevent -- and potentially reverse -- the nerve damage (neuropathy) commonly caused by diabetes. General recommended dose: 1,000 mg evening primrose oil three times a day.

* Saw Palmetto -- a spiky-looking bush with berries, recommended for everything from enlarged prostate problems to breast enlargement. Its use in "peripheral" diabetes treatment is apparently for treating infections of the gastro-urinary tract, and also increasing the strength and function of the bladder.

Proceed with Caution
The thing to keep in mind is that most doctors and medical authorities are luke-warm at best on the value of taking much of this stuff, especially in the form of drugstore-marketed "solutions." They remind us that many mass-marketed substances are ineffective or even potentially harmful.

One prominent endocrinologist whom I interviewed recently had this to say when queried about nutritional supplements (the packaged kind), including beta complex, omega complex, and creatine: "Most of them are just hype... However, if you came to me on one of these supplements, and you believe in it, I'd say OK. I wouldn't protest unless it's hurting you in some way – damaging your liver or putting an extra strain on your kidneys."

In other words, there’s nothing wrong with consuming many of these items in the interest of wellness, but the bottom line is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

The scams targeting diabetics got so bad in recent years, in fact, that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) created its own phony Internet ad for a phony product called Glucobate, supposedly an “all-natural diabetes breakthrough.” It’s actually a bait-and-switch ad campaign in the US, Mexico, and Canada to alert consumers about protecting themselves from diabetes-related health fraud.

The FTC attorneys also sent warning letters to 180 websites peddling bogus diabetes "cures" -- herbs, teas, supplements, and the like. Their goal is to remind us that while all-natural products aren’t necessarily all bad, it’s our job stop and think before we shell out a lot of money for false promises, i.e. follow the Glucobate tagline: "be smart, be skeptical."

From	Comment
Honeydesire2006	September 28, 2009 10:56 PM But before you use it I do reccommend to check with your doctor that it does not interfeir with your other medication that you are using. The best about the energybolizer it has no side affects at least not for me or the many friends I know that are taking it. My sister sells it too and for cheap too. So if you have permission from your doctor to take it and you would like to take to try it to see if it works for you, you can look for me here on diabeticconnect my name is honeydesire2006 and I can give you where you can get it at from her.
Honeydesire2006	September 28, 2009 10:50 PM Well I will not knock all diabetic supplements. I am taking one called Energybolizer and it has helped me alot. I still take my insulin along with these pills. They have helped me lower my bad cholestrols and it keeps my blood pressure normal. It also helped me to lose weight along with exercise at least 30 minutes a day with a good controled diet and I have lost about 60 pounds in 4 months. I have tried everything else and nothing has worked like this pill has. Here is the website if you would like to check it out. Its www.energybolizer.com and it give you information about energybolizer and other products that they sell. It worked for me that why I reccommend it.But I guess you would have to try it to see if it works for you. But it is worth the money. But I do understand your article. But I speak good of this product because I use it.
Vicrgreen	September 28, 2009 12:43 AM Very comprehensive. Lots of things I didn't know about herbals. Good thing I like cinnamon I guess. To bad I don't use much of it.
dawn kelly	September 20, 2009 11:33 PM your right but you should always check with your dr as there could be interactions with some of your meds and so that you take them properly
GODSANGEL41309	September 17, 2009 4:35 PM This is a great article! Just what I have been looking for! I am very interested in Natural Remedies but I am afraid of trying these herbs without consulting an expert in this field. I have seen 5 different doctors, been admitted to the hospital 7 times, placed in a mental institution and my health continues to worsen! Food for thought! Thanks for doing the research.....