Naturopathic Methods of Dealing With Diabetes

Diabetes is a fairly common disease in which the body's natural ability to use the glucose from food is compromised, leading to build-up of glucose in the bloodstream. If blood glucose levels remain uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to a host of diseases and infections that can be serious and even life-threatening. In Western medicine, diabetes is most commonly treated with insulin supplementation via injection, oral medication or insulin pump therapy; however naturopathic and Chinese medicine offer a wealth of alternative and complementary treatments that are worth looking into.

Dietary Supplements

• People with Type 2 diabetes may find the use of dietary supplements helpful in managing their blood glucose levels and controlling symptoms. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) there are many, but only a few have been studied in clinical health trials and the results have been mixed.

  Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant found in foods like liver, broccoli, spinach and potatoes that has been found to lower blood glucose levels by helping the body use insulin. According to NIH, "Some studies have found benefits, but more research is needed."

  Chromium is an essential trace-mineral that is found in small amounts in many foods, including meats, whole grains, fruits and also capsule form, which can help to control blood glucose levels. NIH reports that "study results have been mixed. Some researchers have found benefits, but many of the studies have not been well designed. Additional, high-quality research is needed."

  Polyphenols are common antioxidants found in tea, dark chocolate and other foods, which can possibly have a positive effect on the body's ability to use insulin. "Laboratory studies suggest that EGCG, a polyphenol found in green tea, may protect against cardiovascular disease and have a beneficial effect on insulin activity and glucose control. However, a few small clinical trials studying EGCG and green tea in people with diabetes have not shown such effects."

  The best way to see if any of these dietary supplements will work for you is to try adding them into your diet over a period of time. If you are interested in pursuing a naturopathic course of treatment, it is best to consult with a naturopathic physician to see which of these treatments might work for you.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

• Chinese medicine employs treatments like acupuncture, herbal therapy, and Qi Gong to help regulate blood glucose levels in the body. According to the American Diabetes Association, "Unlike Western medicine, TCM is not concerned with measuring and monitoring blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. Treatment is individualized and geared toward assessing and treating the symptoms that compose patterns of deficiency and disharmony."

  Acupuncture has been shown to normalize endocrine function, and the ADA says "clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated that acupuncture has a beneficial effect on lowering serum glucose levels."

  Herbal therapy is designed to treat the patients predominant symptoms and has been used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. But clinical data on herbal therapy is still scarce and you should take precautions when choosing this treatment path. The ADA warns: "Discontinuing conventional medications in favor of herbal formulations may lead to serious complications such as significant hyperglycemia, and combining conventional hypoglycemic agents with herbal preparations without proper monitoring could lead to hypoglycemia. "

  Qi Gong is a meditation technique that combines breathing techniques with movement, focusing on the mind-body connection. The ADA says that "While Qigong is not typically used as a major treatment modality for diabetes, it has been found to be a valuable adjunctive therapy for this condition."