Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Diabetes

Nutrition and Supplementation

Many health care providers who support complementary approaches suggest that people with diabetes follow the same diet as heart disease patients since the disorders are so closely related. Eat many high-fiber vegetables raw, steamed, baked, or stir fried with little or no oil. Adding fresh vegetable, rather than fruit, juices to your diet lowers the need for insulin, as they lower the levels of fat in the blood. Snack on foods such as almonds, nut butters, rice bran crackers, and hummus or other legumes. Diabetics should avoid foods such as pasta, potatoes, rice, corn, bananas, raisins, and sweet fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, until insulin levels stabilize. These foods are high in carbohydrates, and carbohydrates stimulate insulin production. Protein should be obtained through fish, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, soy foods, and legumes. If you suspect a food allergy, eliminate the suspect food from your diet for six weeks and assess any improvement in your condition.

Perhaps the most important mineral for diabetes is vanadyl sulfate. It was discovered in the late 1800s and was used to control the disorder before the development of insulin. Follow the directions on the label. The following daily supplements also improve diabetic condition:

Most Important

chromium picolinate (400 to 600 mcg)-improves insulin's efficiency

L-glutamine (500 mg twice daily)-reduces the craving for sugar

taurine (500 mg twice daily)-helps the body release insulin

quercetin (100 mg 3 times daily)-helps prevent polyols from forming in the membranes of the eye lens (This condition, which damages the lens, results from excess glucose ac cumulation.)

vitamin B complex (50 mg 3 times daily, not to exceed 300 mg from all supplements)

biotin (50 mg)-improves metabolism of glucose

vitamin B12 (as directed on label)-prevents diabetic neuropathy; injections are best

zinc (50 to 80 mg, not to exceed a total of 100 mg from all supplements)-deficiency has been linked to diabetes; use lozenge form

Also Recommended

coenzyme (80 mg)-stabilizes blood sugar levels

magnesium (750 mg)-balances the pH level

manganese (5 to 10 mg)-a deficiency is common in people with diabetes; take separately from calcium

vitamin A (15,000 IU; do not exceed 8000 IU if you are pregnant)-maintains eye health

vitamin C (3000 to 6000 mg)-a deficiency may lead to vascular problems in people with diabetes

vitamin E (400 IU or more)-improves circulation

multi enzyme complex (as directed on label)-aids digestion

lipoic acid (as directed on label)-treats diabetic neuropathy

phosphatidyl serine (as directed on label)-aids in treatment of diabetic neuropathy

acetyl-L-carnitine (as directed on label)-aids in treatment of diabetic neuropathy

Aromatherapy

To relieve diabetes symptoms, some aromatherapists suggest using the essential oils of juniper, geranium, and eucalyptus. See a qualified therapist for details.