Homeopathic remedies for diabetes
Homeopathic remedies for diabetes represent an alternative approach to managing this chronic condition, which impairs the body's ability to utilize sugar effectively. Diabetes is categorized primarily into Type 1, where the pancreas fails to produce insulin, and Type 2, characterized by insulin resistance and inadequate insulin production. Symptoms can vary but may include excessive thirst, urination, weight loss, and fatigue. While conventional treatments focus on lifestyle changes and medication, homeopathy seeks to treat the individual holistically through highly diluted natural substances derived from plants, minerals, or animals.
Although some homeopathic remedies, like Gymnema sylvestre and certain minerals, have been suggested for blood sugar management, research indicates they do not substitute for conventional insulin therapy. Other complementary therapies, such as North American ginseng and magnesium, have shown mixed results in studies regarding their effectiveness in blood sugar control. It's crucial for individuals with diabetes to consult healthcare professionals before incorporating homeopathic or alternative treatments to ensure safety and efficacy. Overall, while homeopathic remedies may offer supportive care and enhance well-being, they do not replace traditional medical approaches for diabetes management.
Homeopathic remedies for diabetes
DEFINITION: Homeopathic treatment for diabetes
Overview
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the body’s ability to use sugar. Type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes is characterized by an inability of the pancreas to produce insulin, and type 2, or non-insulin-dependent, diabetes is characterized by an inability of insulin to exert its normal physiological effects.
In type 1 diabetes, sometimes called juvenile diabetes, the body cannot make insulin, which helps the body turn the sugar obtained from food into a source of energy. Type 1 occurs more frequently in children and young adults but accounts for only five to ten percent of the total diabetes cases in the United States. Type 2 diabetes, also called adult-onset diabetes, is marked by defective insulin production and the development of tissue resistance to insulin.
Symptoms and Effects
Symptoms of diabetes can include excessive urination, thirst, weight loss, and a lack of energy. However, diabetes is often present without symptoms and may exist for many years without a person noticing it. Certain organs are more vulnerable to the damaging effects of chronically high blood sugar levels—the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and large blood vessels, such as in the heart.
Homeopathic Remedies
Conventional methods of treatment for diabetes include diet, exercise, moderation in alcohol use and smoking, and monitoring blood glucose. A health treatment classified as other than standard Western medical practice is referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). CAM encompasses a variety of disciplines and includes treatments, such as diet and exercise, mental conditioning, and lifestyle changes. Examples of CAM therapies are acupuncture, guided imagery, chiropractic treatment, yoga, hypnosis, biofeedback, aromatherapy, relaxation, herbal remedies, and massage. Homeopathic medicine is a type of CAM therapy that aims to treat ailments by addressing the body as a whole. Homeopathic medicines are made from plants, minerals, or animals and are available as supplements, creams, sugar tablets, and drops.
While several homeopathic medicines have been proposed, and many have shown promising results in laboratory and animal studies, homeopathic remedies fail to properly treat diabetes. For example, black plum (Syzygium jambolanum) showed promising results in animal tests but failed to have any impact on human trials. There is no homeopathic remedy or CAM therapy that can replace insulin, but some substances may help decrease the amount of medication an individual requires, improve overall well-being, or increase an individual’s quality of life.
The homeopathic remedy Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) has been proposed to control blood sugar. Conium (hemlock) and Plumbum (lead) have been proposed for numbness, tingling, and nerve damage associated with diabetes or diabetic neuropathy. Homeopathic remedies include Uranium nitricum, phosphoric acid, and Honeybee (Apis mellifica), for urinary symptoms.
CAM Therapies for Diabetes
Ginseng. Studies have shown that North American ginseng may improve blood sugar control and levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, a form of hemoglobin in the blood used to monitor blood glucose levels over time. A review of such studies revealed some positive impacts of ginseng on diabetes, particularly on type 2. These results are positive, but the studies used in making this decision were imperfect, and the findings should be interpreted with caution.
Chromium.Chromium is an essential trace mineral that has an important role in carbohydrate and fat metabolism and helps body cells properly respond to insulin. Studies regarding the effectiveness of chromium supplementation on diabetes management have not been conclusive. One study compared the results of a diabetes medication, sulfonylurea, taken with 1,000 micrograms of chromium, to the results of sulfonylurea taken with a placebo. Results from the study showed that people taking chromium had significant improvements in insulin sensitivity. Another study found no significant difference in glycosylated hemoglobin, body mass index, blood pressure, or insulin requirements across the three groups.
Magnesium.Magnesium is a mineral found naturally in foods such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, as well as in nutritional supplements. Magnesium is needed for more than three hundred biochemical reactions in the body. It helps regulate blood sugar levels and is needed for normal muscle and nerve function, heart rhythm, immune function, blood pressure, and bone health. Some studies suggest low magnesium levels may worsen blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes. Research also has shown that magnesium supplementation may improve insulin sensitivity and lower fasting glucose levels.
Cinnamon. Studies of the use of cinnamon in managing diabetes are inconclusive. Some research demonstrates that cinnamon significantly reduces fasting blood glucose levels and improves insulin resistance. However, the American Diabetes Association suggests no significant difference in glycosylated hemoglobin or lipid profiles related to the use of cinnamon. However, some research indicates that 2 to 6 grams per day of cinnamon may help lower blood pressure, decreasing the chance of stroke and heart disease in patients with diabetes.
Zinc. The mineral zinc plays an important role in the production and storage of insulin. Food sources of zinc include fresh oysters, ginger root, lamb, pecans, split peas, egg yolk, rye, beef liver, lima beans, almonds, walnuts, sardines, chicken, and buckwheat. Some research shows that persons with type 2 diabetes have suboptimal zinc status because of decreased absorption and increased excretion of zinc.
Aloe vera gel. Although aloe vera gel is better known as a home remedy for minor burns and other skin conditions, some animal studies suggest that aloe vera gel may help people with diabetes. A Japanese study evaluated the effect of aloe vera gel on blood sugar and found that compounds from the gel reduced blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels.
Plant foods. Most plant foods are rich in fiber, which is beneficial for helping control blood sugar levels. The following plant foods have been found to help people with type 2 diabetes: brewer’s yeast, buckwheat, broccoli, okra, peas, fenugreek seeds, and sage. There are no clinical trials with promising results for many other herbs being proposed for diabetes, such as garlic, ginger, ginseng, hawthorn, and nettle. Other studies have found a plant-based diet may be helpful in reducing type 2 diabetes and managing blood sugar. Persons with diabetes who are considering taking any of these herbal substances or partaking in a specific, restrictive diet should first consult a doctor.
Further Considerations
Although many alternative therapies are considered natural, one should take caution when using them. The following recommendations will ensure the safe usage of alternative treatments. Always discuss any drugs, including herbal products, with a doctor before taking them. Be sure to report any side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, insomnia, diarrhea, or skin rashes, to one’s healthcare provider and stop taking the herbal product immediately. One should avoid preparations made with more than one herb. Always look for scientific-based sources of information. Purchase only those brands that list the herb’s common and scientific names, the name and address of the manufacturer, a batch and lot number, expiration date, dosage guidelines, and potential side effects.
Bibliography
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Chen, Wei, et al. “Review of Ginseng Anti-Diabetic Studies.” Molecules, vol. 24, no. 24, Dec. 2019, p. 4501. doi:10.3390/molecules24244501.
Martin, J., et al. “Chromium Picolinate Supplementation Attenuates Body Weight Gain and Increases Insulin Sensitivity in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes.” Diabetes Care, vol. 29, no. 8, 2006, pp. 1826-32.
McMacken, Michelle, and Sapana Shah. “A Plant-based Diet for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.” Journal of Geriatric Cardiology, vol. 14, no. 5, 2017, pp. 342-54. doi:10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2017.05.009.
"Medicinal Plants." Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation, diabetesaction.org/medicinal-plants. Accessed 30 Sept. 2024.
"Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements." American Diabetes Association, diabetes.org/food-nutrition/diabetes-vitamins-supplements. Accessed 30 Sept. 2024.
Yu, Christine. "Diabetes and Homeopathic Remedies." WebMD, 15 June 2024, www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetes-homeopathic-remedies. Accessed 30 Sept. 2024.