Diabetes herbs & supplements
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Definition
Risk Factors
Diabetes Home Page
Herbs & Supplements
The following are herbs and supplements that research both old &
new give credit to for the possibly effective regulation &/or treatment
of diabetic conditions. As with any
treatment method, consulting a qualified health professional before
instituting anything new is highly recommended. Following is also a reference of natural
medicines the may interact with Insulin.
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for more info…
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Also Known As:
a-Lipoic Acid, Acetate
Replacing Factor, ALA, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Alpha-Lipoic Acid Extract, Biletan,
Lipoic Acid, Lipoicin, Thioctacid, Thioctan, Thioctic Acid.
Scientific Names:
Alpha Lipoic Acid; 1,2-dithiolane-3-pentanoic acid; 1,2-dithiolane-3-valeric
acid; 6,8-thioctic acid; 5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl) valeric
acid; 6,8-dithiooctanoic acid.
Possibly effective:
This supplement has been effective when used intravenously for
improving diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Clinical trials of daily
administration showed significant improvement in total symptom scores. In type 2 diabetes both oral and
intravenous administration showed improvement in insulin resistance and
glucose effectiveness.
Dosing adjustments for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents may be
necessary when taking Alpha-Lipoic Acid.
High doses of alpha-lipoic acid are
approved in Germany for the treatment of
diabetic neuropathy.
Dietary sources of
alpha-lipoic acid
yeast, liver, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, and kidney
Beer
Possibly effective:
Light to moderate alcohol consumption (from 2 drinks per
week up to 3-4 drinks per day) is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes in healthy men due to an increase in insulin sensitivity.
Obvious adverse reactions of alcohol intake with the
body & mind along with possible interactions with medications &
herbs or supplements should be taken into great consideration. Chronic use of alcohol might interfere
with absorption of B vitamins and other nutrients.
Interactions with Drugs:
Aspirin/NSAID’s,
Benzodiazepines, barbiturates, narcotics, cisapride,
CNS depressants, erythromycin, H2 receptor antagonists, hepatotoxic
drugs, hypoglycemic drugs, metaformin, phenytoin, warfarin.
Interactions with diseases:
Asthma, gout, heart conditions, high blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, insomnia, liver disease,
neurological conditions, pancreatitis, peptic
ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, porphyria, psychiatric disorders.
Capsicum
Also Known As:
African Chillies, African
Pepper, Bird Pepper, Capsaicin, Capsicum Fruit, Cayenne, Chili Pepper,
Garden Pepper, Goat's Pod, Grains Of Paradise, Green Bell Pepper, Green
Chili Pepper, Hot Pepper, Hungarian Pepper, Ici Fructus, Louisiana Long Pepper, Louisiana Sport Pepper,
Mexican Chilies, Paprika, Pimento, Red Pepper, Sweet Pepper, Tabasco
Pepper, Zanzibar Pepper.
Scientific Names:
Capsicum frutescens; Capsicum annuum; Capsicum chinense,
Capsicum baccatum; Capsicum pubscens;
and other Capsicum species.
Effective:
Capsicum is regarded as safe & effective in the
temporary relief of pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. It works by causing the release of a
certain substance in the nerves.
Initially it causes pain but after repeated applications it reduces
the ability of the nerves to transmit sensations and reduces pain.
Caution:
Capsicum should not be applied to open damaged
skin.
Dosage:
Topically for pain it is applied 3-4 times daily, the
cream usually contains 0.025 to 0.075% capsaicin, however
higher potency creams are used for diabetic neuropathy. The active part of capsicum cannot be
washed off hands with water, use a water vinegar solution immediately after
applying.
Chromium
Also Known As:
Chromic Chloride, Chromium Acetate, Chromium Chloride,
Chromium Nicotinate, Chromium Picolinate, Chromium Polynicotinate,
Chromium Trichloride, Chromium Tripicolinate,
Chromium III, Chromium III Picolinate,
Chromium (III), Chromium 3,
Chromium 3+, Chromium-3+, Cr III, Cr-III, Cr-3, Cr3+,
Cr-3+,
Glucose Tolerance Factor, Glucose Tolerance Factor-Cr,
GTF,
GTF-Cr, GTF Cr, Trivalent Chromium.
Scientific Names:
Chromium; Cr; atomic number 24
Possibly Effective:
May be effective when used orally for type 2
diabetes. There is some evidence
that certain patients can benefit by adding chromium picolinate
to their conventional diabetes treatment regimen. Chromium seems to
significantly decrease fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, and
decrease glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Higher
doses may be more effective and work more quickly. Doses of 500 mcg twice
daily significantly decrease HbA1c after 2 months of treatment. Lower doses
of 100 mcg twice daily can take up to 4 months. Higher doses of 200 mcg
three times daily or 500 mcg twice daily also seem to significantly reduce
triglyceride and total serum cholesterol levels after 2-4 months of
treatment, indicating it might also be helpful for diabetic patients with
metabolic syndrome. There is some evidence that chromium picolinate might have the same benefits in patients
with type 1 diabetes. There is speculation that chromium supplements might
only help certain patients with low chromium levels, since it only has a
blood glucose-lowering effect in 40% to 80% of people with elevated blood
glucose. Chromium levels are often below normal in patients with diabetes.
There is not yet enough evidence to recommend chromium for all diabetes
patients. Stick with chromium picolinate
preparations. Chromium chloride may not be as effective. Chromium is not an
alternative to conventional medicines and should not be used in place of
conventional treatments. When used
orally for steroid-induced diabetes there is some evidence chromium 200 mcg
three times daily initially, followed by 200 mcg once daily for
maintenance, can help improve blood glucose levels in patients taking
corticosteroids. Treatment for 3 months with chromium chloride 200 mg daily
seems to improve symptoms and increase blood glucose levels in patients
with reactive hypoglycemia following an oral glucose load.
High intake of simple sugars may increase chromium loss
in the urine.
Fenugreek
Also Known As:
Bird's Foot, Bockshornsame, Foenugraeci Semen, Foenugreek,
Greek Hay, Greek Hay Seed, Hu Lu Ba, Methi, Trigonella.
Scientific Names:
Trigonella foenum-graecum.
Possibly effective:
When used orally for lowering blood sugar in people with
diabetes
Mechanism of Action:
The applicable part of fenugreek is the seed. Fenugreek
affects gastrointestinal transit, slowing glucose absorption. The
constituent, 4-isoleucine, appears to directly stimulate insulin. In healthy people, whole seed extracts,
gum isolate, extracted seeds, cooked seeds, and the constituent, trigonelline, show evidence of a hypoglycemic effect.
In people with non-insulin-dependent diabetes, the ingestion of the
extracted seeds can improve plasma glucose and insulin response. In people
with insulin-dependent diabetes, the ingestion of the seed powder can
reduce plasma glucose, glycosuria, and the daily
insulin requirement.
Adverse Reactions:
Orally, fenugreek can cause diarrhea and
flatulence. Fenugreek can cause a
maple syrup odor in urine, avoid confusion with
"maple syrup urine" disease.
Dosage/Administration:
ORAL: The typical dose is 1-2 grams of the seed or
equivalent three times daily or one cup of the tea several times a day. The
tea is prepared by steeping 500 mg of the seed in 150 mL
cold water for three hours and then straining. The maximum amount of
fenugreek is 6 grams of the seed per day.
Gamma Linolenic Acid
Also known as:
Gamma Linolenic acid, Gamolenic acid, GLA
Scientific names:
(Z,Z,Z)-Octadeca-6,9,12-trienoic acid
Possibly effective:
When used for diabetic neuropathy. GLA is believed to benefit individuals who
have ischemic lesions associated with diabetic neuropathy.
Adverse reactions:
Orally GLA might prolong bleeding time by inhibiting
platelet aggregation.
Dosage/Administration:
ORAL: 360 mg per day
Borage oil and evening primrose oil are good dietary sources
of Gamma Linolenic Acid.
Ginkgo Biloba leaf
Also known as:
Adiantifolia, Bai Guo Ye, Fossil tree,
Ginkgo, Ginkgo folium, Ginkyo, Japanese Silver
Apricot, Kew tree, Maidenhair tree, Salisburia, Salisburia Adiantifolia, Yinhsing (not to be confused with ginkgo seed).
Scientific names:
Ginkgo Biloba
Possibly effective:
There is evidence that treatment with ginkgo leaf
extract for 6 months can significantly improve measures of color vision in
patients with early diabetic retinopathy.
Adverse reactions:
May cause headache, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset,
palpitations, constipation, allergic skin reactions, restlessness, nausea,
vomiting, excessive spontaneous bleeding.
Interactions:
Theoretically Ginkgo may interfere with the management
of diabetes. It has been reported to
increase pancreatic beta-cell function in response to glucose and may also
increase the metabolic clearance of insulin. Monitor blood glucose levels very closely
when administering ginkgo, insulin requirements may need adjustments.
Dosage/Administration:
Start with 60 mg, work way up to 240 mg if needed.
Glucomannan
Also known as:
Konjac, Konjac
Mannan
Scientific names:
Amorphophallus konjac
Possibly effective:
When used orally for weight loss in obese adults. Also
can reduce serum cholesterol, blood glucose, & triglycerides in obese
adults & adults with diabetes.
May reduce insulin or hypoglycemic requirements for people with
diabetes.
Mechanism of action:
Glucomannan is a
polysaccharide from tuber roots. It
delays glucose absorption and reduces insulin or hypoglycemic agent
requirements. It improves lipid
profile and glucose tolerance. Glucomannan reduces total serum cholesterol.
Adverse reactions:
Glucomannan might reduce
fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose levels thus
interfering with blood sugar control, monitor closely.
Dosage/Administration:
3.6 – 7.2 grams daily.
Gymnema
Also known as:
Iodine
Maggots
Niacin & Niacinamide
Oat Bran
Panax Ginseng
Prickly Pear Cactus
Psyllium
Siberian Ginseng
Thiamine
Vanadium
Wheat Bran
Wine
Xanthan gum
Natural
Medicines that have potential
interactions with Insulin
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