Solution of Increasing Diabetes

Solution of Increasing Diabetes

Natural health products

Many people consume natural health products for a variety of purposes. It is normal to try different remedies in the presence of a disease, but conventional drug treatments whose effects are confirmed - and which are governed by strict regulations in terms of efficacy and safety - remain the preferred choice.

What is a natural health product (NHP)?

A natural health product can be:

• a plant, plant material or an extract thereof
• vitamins and minerals
• amino acids
• of fatty acids essential (eg, omega-3)
• etc.

A lack of rigor

To date, there is insufficient evidence on the efficacy and safety of NHPs to recommend them for the treatment of diabetes, unlike conventional drugs, the effects of which have been demonstrated by many rigorous scientific studies.

Some NHPs look promising, but more in-depth studies are needed to confirm their effects.

Also, regulations for natural health products are less stringent than for drugs, and the purity of the product is sometimes unknown.

Warnings

If you still want to use natural health products, here are some caveats to consider:

• Be cautious: "natural" does not mean "harmless," and it is essential to be aware of the possible effects on your health.
• Check that the information on the possible benefits of the product comes from a reliable source (credible website with references, health professional, etc.).
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about possible side effects or interactions with your necessary medication or contraindications to your condition.
• If you decide to use it, measure your blood glucose more often to check the impact.

Natural health products can not replace medication.

People with type 1 diabetes

The type 1 diabetes depend on treatment with insulin because their pancreas does not produce insulin: it is dangerous, even deadly, to replace this treatment with alternative medicine or natural health product.

People with type 2 diabetes

The pancreas of people with type 2 diabetes still produces insulin. It is, therefore, more likely that a complementary treatment will work, but no conclusive study exists at the moment.

The point on some NHPs

Cinnamon

It has been several years since its effects on blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes are being studied. However, the results of studies lasting at least three months show conflicting results on the A1c level. The same is true for studies on magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and zinc.

Ginseng

Ginseng is a natural health product extracted from the root of a plant that has several varieties, the most popular of which are American and Asian ginseng and whose effects may differ.

In Chinese medicine, ginseng is used to treat:

• anemia
• erectile dysfunction
• diabetes
• several other diseases

The methodology of studies to verify the effect of ginseng on blood glucose levels was inadequate, and the number of participants was insufficient to allow conclusions to be drawn.

Similarly, the long-term effect of taking ginseng on blood glucose levels is not known, nor is there evidence of a tolerance phenomenon, namely that there may be a decrease in the efficacy of the plant. After a few shots.

There are many side effects related to the consumption of ginseng:

• insomnia
• nervousness
• increase and decrease in blood pressure
• palpitations
• headache
• diarrhea

It is contraindicated at:

• children and pregnant or lactating women
• people with heart problems or coagulation, hormone-dependent cancer, or schizophrenia

It is recommended to check with your pharmacist if ginseng interacts with your other medications, including:

• insulin and antihyperglycemic drugs
• anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents
• diuretics
• drugs for the treatment of heart failure
• certain hormones
• antipsychotics

Chrome

Chromium is an essential mineral found naturally in many foods. The foods richest in chromium are brewer's yeast and veal liver.

Broccoli, green beans, potatoes, whole grain cereals, wheat germ, gruyere, plums, mushrooms, asparagus, meats, egg yolks, and beer also contain unknown quantities.

Chromium has been sold as a supplement for years as an adjunct to weight loss, to improve mood, energy, vision, and acne, but its effectiveness remains to be proven.

Although its exact mechanism of action is still not understood, it is believed that chromium could improve the movement of insulin present in the body, hence its interest in type 2 diabetes. It would be ineffective in Type 1 Diabetes. Other sources also claim that dietary chromium or a supplement would lower triglycerides and LDL-C (the "bad" cholesterol) while increasing HDL-C ("good") cholesterol.

The results of the scientific studies carried out are contradictory as to its effect.

Another obstacle: the dose of chromium used during the studies was five times higher than the daily doses recommended and recognized as safe.

Also, significant adverse effects following the intake of chromium have been reported:

• skin problems
• liver disorders
• severe kidney damage

Glucosamine

Some use it for the treatment of osteoarthritis, in combination with pharmacological treatment.

Unlike previous natural health products, glucosamine has a possible hyperglycaemic effect. This effect of glucosamine remains controversial, but caution is needed.

Despite its name, glucosamine is not a source of glucose (sugar), but people with diabetes must remain cautious:

• When using glucosamine, the liver can produce more glucose and increase blood sugar. Glucosamine decreases the activity of an enzyme in the body (glucokinase) that serves to control the production of glucose by the liver.
• In rats, glucosamine may decrease insulin secretion from the pancreas.
• It could increase insulin resistance in the long term, thus speeding up the process of progression of type 2 diabetes.
• An in vitro study demonstrated that glucosamine destroyed pancreatic cells, but the doses were 5 to 10 times higher than what is recommended by the manufacturer, and there was no study on human. It appears that at treatments recommended by the manufacturer to treat osteoarthritis, glucosamine has no harmful effect on blood glucose and insulin resistance, but there is a lack of clinical studies to confirm this.

Unfortunately, until now, no study has been long enough to verify the actual effect of the product on blood glucose in the medium or long term. The long-term consequences for diabetes are not known yet.

Products on the market may contain different ingredients in addition to glucosamine. Often the quantities of these products are not written on the container because there is no regulation on it. For example, some tablets contain sodium that may be harmful to patients with hypertension. Others contain potassium and magnesium, which can be detrimental for people with kidney problems.

In conclusion, there are no studies to date, confirming the positive impact of the use of specific natural products on blood sugar. It will be necessary to await the results of longitudinal studies at large scales before confirming their potential.