Previous Research into CAMs for diabetes management
Research so far into the use of alternative medicines for diabetes management has been inconclusive.
There are however many similar studies from a number of countries looking at CAM popularity and the factors affecting CAM use in diabetic patients. Additionally a number of studies focus on the mechanism of action and efficacy of specific CAMs. CAMs can be defined as pharmacological (eg. herbal remedies and multivitamins) or non-pharmacological (eg. diet, exercise and prayer).
Research so far into the use of alternative medicines for diabetes management has been inconclusive.
There are however many similar studies from a number of countries looking at CAM popularity and the factors affecting CAM use in diabetic patients. Additionally a number of studies focus on the mechanism of action and efficacy of specific CAMs. CAMs can be defined as pharmacological (eg. herbal remedies and multivitamins) or non-pharmacological (eg. diet, exercise and prayer).
Research into CAM use:
1) Reasons, perceived efficacy and factors associated with complementary and alternative medicine use among Malaysian patients with diabetes mellitus
HASAN, S.S. et al (2011) Reasons, perceived efficacy and factors associated with complementary and alternative medicine use among Malaysian patients with diabetes mellitus. The British Journal of Diabetes & Vascular diseases, 11 (2), p. 92-98.
The full article can be found here: http://dvd.sagepub.com/content/11/2/92.full.pdf+html
The study, based in Malaysia, aimed to look at the reasons, perceived efficacy and factors associated with CAMs- in diabetic patients of Malay, Chinese and Indian ethnicity. Rather than focusing on the efficacy of specific CAMs, the study was used to explore CAMs from the patient’s point of view.
Conclusion-
Herbal drugs were most common type of CAM used, followed by Vitamins and Ginseng.
More than half of CAM users in the study were over 50 years of age (positive correlation with age)
Significant difference in FBG level was shown between CAM and non-CAM users
Overall CAM use was found to be associated with-
Higher educational experience, higher household income, family recommendation, assumed safety and efficacy
2) Ethnic Differences in CAM use among patients with diabetes.
VILLA-CABALLERO, L. et al (2010) Ethnic differences in complementary and alternative medicine use among patients with diabetes. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 18 (6), p. 241-248.
The full article can be read here: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229910001032
During the period of 2004-2006 at 6 Taking Control of Your Diabetes educational conferences, across USA, questionnaires were handed out to the patients attending. CAMs were subdivided into pharmacological and non-pharmacological.
Patients took part in focus groups were they answered the questions and stated which CAMs they used, why and how frequent they used them.
Conclusion-
Out of 806 participants: 81.9% of the diabetic patients used pharmacologic CAMs and 80.3% used non-pharmacologic.
Of these the prevalent ethnic groups using CAMs included: Caucasians (94.2%), African Americans (95.5%), Hispanics (95.6%), Native Americans (95.2%) and Asians (87.8%).
There was a positive correlation between education level and pharmacologic CAM prevalence.
The CAM used varied significantly between ethnic groups.
For example: Hispanics mostly used Nopal (prickly pear) whereas Caucasians used multivitamins.
50% believed CAMs helps their overall health.
The most common non-pharmacologic CAMs were exercise, meditation and prayer. Conversely the common pharmacologic CAMs were multivitamins, Vitamin E and green tea. Other less commonly used CAMs included: acupuncture, yoga, hypnosis, St Johns Wort, Aloe Vera, Chromium, Echinacea and garlic to name a few.
1) Reasons, perceived efficacy and factors associated with complementary and alternative medicine use among Malaysian patients with diabetes mellitus
HASAN, S.S. et al (2011) Reasons, perceived efficacy and factors associated with complementary and alternative medicine use among Malaysian patients with diabetes mellitus. The British Journal of Diabetes & Vascular diseases, 11 (2), p. 92-98.
The full article can be found here: http://dvd.sagepub.com/content/11/2/92.full.pdf+html
The study, based in Malaysia, aimed to look at the reasons, perceived efficacy and factors associated with CAMs- in diabetic patients of Malay, Chinese and Indian ethnicity. Rather than focusing on the efficacy of specific CAMs, the study was used to explore CAMs from the patient’s point of view.
Conclusion-
Herbal drugs were most common type of CAM used, followed by Vitamins and Ginseng.
More than half of CAM users in the study were over 50 years of age (positive correlation with age)
Significant difference in FBG level was shown between CAM and non-CAM users
Overall CAM use was found to be associated with-
Higher educational experience, higher household income, family recommendation, assumed safety and efficacy
2) Ethnic Differences in CAM use among patients with diabetes.
VILLA-CABALLERO, L. et al (2010) Ethnic differences in complementary and alternative medicine use among patients with diabetes. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 18 (6), p. 241-248.
The full article can be read here: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229910001032
During the period of 2004-2006 at 6 Taking Control of Your Diabetes educational conferences, across USA, questionnaires were handed out to the patients attending. CAMs were subdivided into pharmacological and non-pharmacological.
Patients took part in focus groups were they answered the questions and stated which CAMs they used, why and how frequent they used them.
Conclusion-
Out of 806 participants: 81.9% of the diabetic patients used pharmacologic CAMs and 80.3% used non-pharmacologic.
Of these the prevalent ethnic groups using CAMs included: Caucasians (94.2%), African Americans (95.5%), Hispanics (95.6%), Native Americans (95.2%) and Asians (87.8%).
There was a positive correlation between education level and pharmacologic CAM prevalence.
The CAM used varied significantly between ethnic groups.
For example: Hispanics mostly used Nopal (prickly pear) whereas Caucasians used multivitamins.
50% believed CAMs helps their overall health.
The most common non-pharmacologic CAMs were exercise, meditation and prayer. Conversely the common pharmacologic CAMs were multivitamins, Vitamin E and green tea. Other less commonly used CAMs included: acupuncture, yoga, hypnosis, St Johns Wort, Aloe Vera, Chromium, Echinacea and garlic to name a few.
Research into specific CAMs-
1) Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) improves glucose and insulin regulation in well-controlled, type 2 diabetes
VUKSAN, V. et al. (2008) Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) improves glucose and insulin regulation in well-controlled, type 2 diabetes: Results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of efficacy and safety. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 18 (1), p. 46-56
The full article can be read here : http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0939475306001098
Conclusion-
The conclusions of this study found that although no clinical efficacy was proven, the use of Korean Red Ginseng maintained a good glycemic control. The study found that in the 19 patients that took part, the herb was safe to use.
2) Effect of 3-month yoga on oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes, with or without complications
HEGDE, S.V. et al (2011) Effect of 3-month yoga on oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes
with or without complications: a controlled clinical trial. Diabetes Care, 34 (10), p. 2208-2210.
The full article can be read here: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/34/10/2208.full
The study, based in Mangalore, India, aimed to look at the link between yoga and diabetes management- through oxidative stress levels. The article states that ‘Oxidative stress has been implicated as the root cause underlying the development of insulin resistance, B cell dysfunction, diabetes, and its associated clinical conditions.’
Conclusion-
Yoga can be used as an effective therapy in reducing oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes. It is also beneficial in improving glycemic parameters and BMI and can be used in addition to standard lifestyle interventions (eg. diet and exercise)
Yoga was not beneficial in reducing BP or waist circumference in this short term study.
Further studies are needed to confirm that yoga is beneficial in preventing the progression of diabetes and its complications.
3) Herbal Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Chemistry, Biology, and Potential Application of Selected Plants and Compounds
CHANG, C.L.T. et al. (2013) Herbal Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Chemistry, Biology, and Potential Application of Selected Plants and Compounds. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, p.33.
The full article can be found here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3638592/
Over 1200 flowering plants have been identified as having potential anti-diabetic properties. A third have been studied experimentally and findings documented in about 460 publications. Here herbs are selected and discussed regarding their abilities to control certain biological pathways and their subsequent anti-diabetic properties. Information is provided on the mechanisms of action, phytochemistry and anti-diabetic and biological activities. Over 400n compounds/plants are said to have shown anti-diabetic action in vivo/vitro.
More content coming soon!
1) Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) improves glucose and insulin regulation in well-controlled, type 2 diabetes
VUKSAN, V. et al. (2008) Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) improves glucose and insulin regulation in well-controlled, type 2 diabetes: Results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of efficacy and safety. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 18 (1), p. 46-56
The full article can be read here : http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0939475306001098
Conclusion-
The conclusions of this study found that although no clinical efficacy was proven, the use of Korean Red Ginseng maintained a good glycemic control. The study found that in the 19 patients that took part, the herb was safe to use.
2) Effect of 3-month yoga on oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes, with or without complications
HEGDE, S.V. et al (2011) Effect of 3-month yoga on oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes
with or without complications: a controlled clinical trial. Diabetes Care, 34 (10), p. 2208-2210.
The full article can be read here: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/34/10/2208.full
The study, based in Mangalore, India, aimed to look at the link between yoga and diabetes management- through oxidative stress levels. The article states that ‘Oxidative stress has been implicated as the root cause underlying the development of insulin resistance, B cell dysfunction, diabetes, and its associated clinical conditions.’
Conclusion-
Yoga can be used as an effective therapy in reducing oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes. It is also beneficial in improving glycemic parameters and BMI and can be used in addition to standard lifestyle interventions (eg. diet and exercise)
Yoga was not beneficial in reducing BP or waist circumference in this short term study.
Further studies are needed to confirm that yoga is beneficial in preventing the progression of diabetes and its complications.
3) Herbal Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Chemistry, Biology, and Potential Application of Selected Plants and Compounds
CHANG, C.L.T. et al. (2013) Herbal Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Chemistry, Biology, and Potential Application of Selected Plants and Compounds. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, p.33.
The full article can be found here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3638592/
Over 1200 flowering plants have been identified as having potential anti-diabetic properties. A third have been studied experimentally and findings documented in about 460 publications. Here herbs are selected and discussed regarding their abilities to control certain biological pathways and their subsequent anti-diabetic properties. Information is provided on the mechanisms of action, phytochemistry and anti-diabetic and biological activities. Over 400n compounds/plants are said to have shown anti-diabetic action in vivo/vitro.
More content coming soon!