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
Lito	July 3, 2008 12:31 PM In Amy's letter dated June 24, 2008 about "Herbs and Supplements and Diabetes", while it is true that some of the herbs mentioned, e.g. cinnamon and ginseng, give possitive results in the normalization of insulin of a diabetic patient which most doctors of medicine do not agree, it is worthwhile to say that taking for our meals "only green salad without dressing" will help us diabetics control our blood sugar 100% normal without guessing what herbs and supplements are good for us. But the problem is our self control to organize the diet we know best for us and stick to it for a gain of a better health. Can we do it all the way without getting tempted to eat what is not good for us? Anybody please answer... I will take for example myself who seem to have knowledge about wellness in taking care diabetes but takes two shots of insulin a day despite the fact that I do the regular exercise that is required of me and knows about what is good for my diet still experiencing nightmares for having uncontrolled blood glucose. It is sad to say that the problem is us not the illness. I want to tell you that sometimes ago I am not an insulin dependant, I take my medicine (pills) on my own decision and it's only when my blood sugar meter tells me to do so. I depend only on my exercise regimen and my green salad diet until one day I was temted to eat "rare done liver steak" taking it with all my hearth's desire and the next time I knew I was in a hospital bed. That was the time when doctors prescribed me the insulin and said I will have it for life. They also told me to do only light exercise. Before I was running more than 5 miles, play tennis, and pratice karate. Now I still run 5 miles 3 times a week and trying to go back to my usual diet but my craving for mouth watering food and sweet delights still desturb my mind. Again I want to say... the problem is us not diabetes. Control, and somebody help me please! Best regards, LITO
Gabby	June 29, 2008 10:34 AM That is why it is important for us to take part in clinical trials and log our successes and find out what knocks us down. There is no cure, but we who are treating every day need to share what works for us no matter the source. Cures have been found by seemingly unrelated occurances...if we are active and diligent in our search, who knows...one of us could find the key.
G Thomas	June 29, 2008 7:59 AM It seems that most people that have cures for Diabetics are not people with the actual problem. Therefore, its easy to come up with different what if''s. We, the people are more interest in the facts. I don't know about everyone else but as for me I'll stick with the things that I know work for sure. There are enough experimental issues out there and more than enough people willing to take their lives and place it in the hands of the unknown. Of course, We must give credit where credit is due. Years ago we were only dealing with plan Diabetes and everyone took Insulin. Now, We have several forms and a pill to take for people like Myself with type II. This in itself is an enormous break through. How about someone coming up with a way to pay for the medicines we already have out there and are in need of at the present. That would really be an enormous break though.
BAWYNNE	June 28, 2008 3:29 PM I agree I would like to find a peron that would help with suppliments that DR. will not, I take insulin and it would be good to get off the shots. Barbara
Eliazbeth	June 28, 2008 2:18 PM I am taking several of the herbs listed with great success. Most mornings my fasting blood sugars are 100 or less.I do also stay on a diet which excludes any refined sugar,or any products containing white flour or pasta. I am so glad I took the herbs and a healthy diet versus metaformin. Darlene