subject: Herbal Supplements and Diabetes [print this page] Herbal Supplements and Diabetes Herbal Supplements and Diabetes
In many countries today, type 2 diabetes is an epidemic. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, in 2007 total costs attributable to diabetes was $174 billion, and this represented a 32% increase in just five years. A 2003 study published in the journal Diabetes Care concluded that herbal supplements used as part of a healthy diabetic lifestyle are generally considered safe and that many could have promising roles in helping manage the disease.
Some of the herbs that have shown promise in managing type 2 diabetes include Coccinia indica, American ginseng, Gymnema sylvestre, Aloe vera, Momordica charantia, and nopal.
Coccinia Indica
Coccinia indica, which is native to India, led to an 18% decrease in blood sugar levels after meals, as reported in a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled study published in Diabetes Care. The dosage given was one gram of extract daily.
Ginseng
American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian (Korean) ginseng (Panax ginseng) are totally different herbal vitamins than Siberian Ginseng, which is a different plant with different effects. Human studies have found that American ginseng lowers blood sugar, both fasting and after meals, in people with type 2 diabetes. A study using mice showed that the berry of the American ginseng plant was more effective than the root, though studies in humans have not been done with the berry.
Gymnema Sylvestre
Gymnema sylvestre are herbal supplements that have earned the nickname of "destroyer of sugar" and has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is native to India, and is generally considered safe when used correctly. In earlier times, the leaves were found to take away a person's ability to taste sweet foods, but swallowing tablets or capsules does not have the same effect. This plant may also lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, though it can produce hypoglycemia, which can be dangerous.
Aloe Vera and Nopal
Aloe vera is a good source of vitamin B12 and is being studied for its effects on blood glucose levels. Momordica charantia is a relative of cucumbers and squash and is known as "bitter melon" in English speaking countries. It has been used in China and India for thousands of years and has been found to be effective in controlling blood glucose. Nopal, also called the prickly pear cactus, has many medicinal effects, including lowering blood glucose levels.
Natural herbal supplements show great promise in the control of high blood glucose levels, which could give them a greater role in places where diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. They should be tried one at a time as directed, with effects noted in order to avoid problems. And, of course, diabetics should continue to monitor blood sugar levels regularly to prevent big swings in blood glucose numbers.
