Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

The role of complementary and alternative medicine in diabetes

  • Published:
Current Diabetes Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) describes a diverse group of medical and health care systems, practices, and products not currently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Inadequacies in current treatments for diabetes have led 2 to 3.6 million Americans to use CAM for diabetes treatment, despite limited studies of safety and efficacy of CAM methods. CAM is used mostly by West Indians, Africans, Indians, Latin Americans, or Asians. Prayer, acupuncture, massage, hot tub therapy, biofeedback, and yoga have been used as well as various plant remedies for treating diabetes. Several CAM practices and herbal remedies are promising for diabetes treatment, but further rigorous study is needed in order to establish safety, efficacy, and mechanism of action. In the meantime, it is important to be aware that many patients with diabetes may be using CAM and to consider potential interactions with conventional medicines being used.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References and Recommended Reading

  1. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): Major domains of complementary and alternative medicine. http:/www.nccam.nih.gov. Useful overview of CAM.

  2. American Diabetes Association: Unproven therapies (position statement). Diabetes Care 2004, 27(suppl 1):S135.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Ettner SL, et al.: Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990–1997: results of a follow-up national survey. JAMA 1998, 280:1569–1575.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Egede LE, Ye X, Zheng D, Silverstein MD: The prevalence and pattern of complementary and alternative medicine use in individuals with diabetes. Diabetes Care 2002, 25:324–329.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Ryan EA, Pick E, Marceau C: Use of alternative medicine in diabetes. Diabet Med 2001, 18:242–245.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. YehGY, Eisenberg DM, Kaptchuk TJ, Phillips RS: Systematic review of herbs and dietary supplements for glycemic control in diabetes. Diabetes Care 2003, 26:1277–1294. An excellent review of herbal remedies for diabetes.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Payne C: Complementary and integrative medicine: emerging therapies for diabetes. Part I. Diabetes Spectrum 2001, 14:129–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Chen J, Li C, Ding P, Ma Y: Effect of acupuncture on plasmic levels of insulin, glucagon and hypercoagulability in NIDDM complicated by acute cerebral infarction. J Tradit Chin Med 2001, 21:267–269.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Hu H: A review of treatment of diabetes by acupuncture during the past forty years. J Tradit Chin Med 1995, 15:145–154.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Feng M, Li Y, Pang B, et al.: Acupuncture combined with application of xiaoke plaster for treatment of 309 cases of diabetes mellitus. J Tradit Chin Med 1997, 17:247–249.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Chen D, Gong D, Zhai Y: Clinical and experimental studies in treating diabetes mellitus by acupuncture. J Tradit Chin Med 1994, 14:163–166.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Han JS: Acupuncture and endorphins. Neurosci Lett 2004, 361:258–261.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Chen Y: Magnets on ears helped diabetics. Am J Chin Med 2002, 30:183–150.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Wu W, Li C: Diabetes mellitus treated by massage. J Tradit Chin Med 1998, 18:64–65.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Dillon RS: Improved serum insulin profiles in diabetic individuals who massaged their insulin injection sites. Diabetes Care 1983, 6:399–401.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Hooper PL: Hot-tub therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med 1999, 341:924–925.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Lane JD, McCaskill CC, Ross SL, et al.: Relaxation training for NIDDM. Predicting who may benefit. Diabetes Care 1993, 8:1087–1094.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. SurwitR, van Tilburg MAL, Zucker N, et al.: Stress management improves long term glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2002, 25:30–34. Controlled study with a sizable number of patients.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Feinglos MN, Hastedt P, Surwit RS: Effects of relaxation therapy on patients with type I diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care 1987, 10:72–75.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. McGrady A, Bailey BK, Good MP: Controlled study of biofeedback-assisted relaxation in type I diabetes. Diabetes Care 1991, 14:360–365.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Jab Lon SL, Malakoff BD, Gilmore SL, Rosenthal MJ: Effects of relaxation training on glucose tolerance and diabetic control in type II diabetes. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 1997, 22:155–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Malhotra V, Singh S, Singh KP, et al.: Study of yoga asanas in assessment of pulmonary function in NIDDM patients. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2002, 46:313–320.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Jain SC, Uppal A, Bhatnagar SO, Talukdar B: A study of response pattern of non-insulin dependent diabetics to yoga therapy. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 1993, 19:69–74.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Parshad O: Role of yoga in stress management. West Indian Med J 2004, 53:191–194.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Bjorntorp P, Holm G, Rosmond R: Hypothalamic arousal, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabet Med 1999, 16:373–383.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Tsigos C, Chrousos GP: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neuroendocrine factors and stress. J Psychosom Res 2002, 53:865–871.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Smith EL, Batuman OA, Trost RC, et al.: Transforming growth factor-beta 1 and cortisol in differentially reared primates. Brain Behav Immun 2002, 16:140–149.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Gohil BC, Rosenblum LA, Coplan JD, Kral JG: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and the metabolic syndrome X of obesity. CNS Spectr 2001, 6:581–589.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. YehGY, Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Phillips RS: Use of complementary and alternative medicine among persons with diabetes mellitus: results of a national survey. Am J Public Health 2002, 92:1648–1652. Excellent comprehensive survey of CAM.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Bailey CJ, Day C: Traditional plant medicines as treatments for diabetes. Diabetes Care 1989, 12:553–564.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Azad Khan AK, Akhtar S, Mahtab H: Coccinia indica in the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 1979, 5:60–66.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Vuksan V, Sievenpiper JL, Koo V YY, et al.: American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L) reduces postprandial glycemia in non-diabetic subjects and subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Arch Intern Med 2000, 160:1009–1013.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Vuksan V, Stavro MP, Sievenpiper JL, et al.: Similar postprandial glycemic reductions with escalation of dose and administration time of American ginseng in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2000, 23:1221–1226.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Frati-Munari AC, Gordillo BE, Altamirano P, Ariza CR:Hypoglycemic effect of Opuntia streptacantha Lemaire in NIDDM. Diabetes Care 1988, 11:63–66.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Ludvik B, Neuffer B, Pacini G: Efficacy of Ipomoea batatas (Caiapo) on diabetes control in type 2 diabetic subjects treated with diet. Diabetes Care 2004, 27:436–440.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Gupta A, Gupta R, Lal B: Effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds on glycaemic control and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a double blind placebo controlled study. J Assoc Physicians India 2001, 49:1057–1061.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Yajima H, Ikeshima E, Shiraki M, et al.: Isohumulones, bitter acids derived from hops activate both peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor alpha and gamma and reduce insulin resistance. J Biol Chem 2004, 279:33256–33462.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Hsia SH, Bazargan M, Davidson MB: Effect of Pancreas Tonic (an ayurvedic herbal supplement) in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolism 2004, 53:1166–1173.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Khan A, Safdar M, Ali Khan MM, et al.: Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2003, 26:3215–3218.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Namdul T, Sood A, Ramakrishnan L, et al.: Efficacy of Tibetan medicine as an adjunct in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2001, 24:175–176.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Frati AC, Gordillo BE, Altamirano P, et al.: Acute hypoglycemic effects of Opuntia streptacantha Lemaire in NIDDM [letter]. Diabetes Care 1990, 13:455–456.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Leatherdale BA, Panesar RK, Singh G, et al.: Improvement in glucose tolerance due to Momordica charantia (karela). BMJ 1981, 282:1823–1824.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Fujita H, Yamagami T, Ohshima K: Long-term ingestion of a fermented soybean-derived Touchi-extract with alphaglucosidase inhibitory activity is safe and effective in humans with borderline and mild type-2 diabetes. J Nutr 2001, 131:2105–2108.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Shekhar KC, Achike FI, Kaur G, et al.: A preliminary evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Cogent db (an ayurvedic drug) in the glycemic control of patients with type 2-diabetes. J Altern Complement Med 2002, 8:445–457.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Baskaran K, Ahamath BK, Shanmugasundaram KR, Shanmugasundaram ERB: Antidiabetic effect of a leaf extract from Gymnema sylvestre in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients. J Ethnopharmacol 1990, 30:295–305.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Flexible dose open trial of Vijayasar in cases of newlydiagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Collaborating Centres, New Delhi [no authors listed]. Indian J Med Res 1998, 108:24–29.

  47. Hosoda K, Wang MF, Liao ML, et al.: Antihyperglycemic effect of oolong tea in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2003, 26:1714–1718.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Serraclara A, Hawkins F, Perez C, et al.: Hypoglycemic action of an oral fig-leaf decoction in type-I diabetic patients. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 1998, 39:19–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Jia W, Gao W, Tang L: Anti-diabetic herbal drugs officially approved in China. Phytother Res 2003, 17:1127–1134.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Kimble SM, Joystick GS, Kamala PL, Vida SM: Efficacy of Coccinia indica W & A in diabetes mellitus. J Res Ayurveda Sridhar 1996, XVII:77–84.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Kamble SM, Kamala PL, Vida S, Bamboozle VD: Influence of Coccinia indica on certain enzymes in glycolytic and lipolytic pathway in human diabetes. Indian J Med Sci 1986, 52:143–146.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Kuppurajan K, Seshadri C, Revathi R, Venkataraghavah S: Hypoglycaemic effect of Coccinia indica in diabetes mellitus. Nagarjun 1986, 29:1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Shapiro K, Gong WC: Natural products used for diabetes. J Am Pharm Assoc 2002, 42:217–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Welhinda J, Karunanayake EH, Sheriff MHR, Jayasinghe KSA: Effect of Momordica charantia on the glucose tolerance in maturity onset diabetes. J Ethnopharmacol 1986, 17:277–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Akhtar MS, Ahar MA, Yaqub M: Effect of Momordica charantia on blood glucose levels of normal and alloxandiabetic rabbits. Planta Medica 1981, 42:205–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Shanmugasundaram ERB, Rajeswari G, Baskaran K, et al.: Use of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in the control of blood glucose in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Ethnopharmacol 1990, 30:281–294.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Sievenpiper JL, Arnason JT, Leiter LA, Vuksan V: Decreasing, null and increasing effects of eight popular types of ginseng on acute post prandial glycemic indices in healthy humans: the role of ginsenosides. J Am Coll Nutr 2004, 23:248–258.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Lee H, Gonzalez FJ, Yoon M: Ginsenoside Rf, a component of ginseng, regulates lipoprotein metabolism through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006, 339:196–203.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Yongchaiyudha S, Rungpitarangsi V, Bunyapraphatsara N, Chokechaijaroenporn O: Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L. juice. I. Clinical trial in new cases of diabetes mellitus. Phytomedicine 1996, 3:241–243.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Bunyapraphatsara N, Yongchaiyudha S, Rungpitarangsi V, Chokechaijaroenporn O: Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L juice. II Clinical trial in diabetes mellitus patients in combination with glibenclamide. Phytomedicine 1996, 3:245–248.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mary Ann Banerji MD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dham, S., Shah, V., Hirsch, S. et al. The role of complementary and alternative medicine in diabetes. Curr Diab Rep 6, 251–258 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-006-0042-7

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-006-0042-7

Keywords

Navigation