Alternative therapies in diabetics

Often, people with type 2 diabetes look to natural medicine in addition to conventional medicine to help treat or replace insulin related to their disease. So how effective is the alternative treatment in diabetes? Read on to learn more about insulin replacement or diabetes medications.

1.1. What is diabetes? Diabetes is an endocrine disease caused by a disorder of blood sugar metabolism that causes blood sugar levels to be consistently high. Type 2 diabetes (also called diabetes) is the result of the perfect storm of not getting enough exercise, eating too much of the wrong foods, emotional stress, lack of sleep, toxins, and genetics. The disease has two forms, namely type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. This is one of the most common diseases today, which greatly affects the health and life of patients, especially when this is the cause of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, high blood pressure, etc. kidney failure ...
1.2 Symptoms Depending on whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, there will be different symptoms.
Type 1 diabetes:
Patients often feel tired and uncomfortable Thirst: This symptom can be recognized when you feel thirsty becomes excessive compared to normal Urinate a lot at night Feeling writhing hunger Sudden weight loss with no known cause Type 2 diabetes:
The initial manifestations of type 2 diabetes are often difficult to recognize and distinguish. Patients also see the appearance of symptoms similar to type 1 diabetes such as always feeling tired, losing weight quickly for no reason. In addition, there are some symptoms as follows:
Feeling hungry quickly and eating a lot: This is a characteristic manifestation of type 2 diabetes caused by high insulin levels in the body. Slow wound healing: Due to high blood sugar, white blood cells will be abnormal and reduce the body's ability to defend itself against harmful bacteria and germs. Infections: Due to a weakened immune system by diabetes, your body is susceptible to infections, genital fungi, skin infections,... Sexual disorders: Manifested by diseases in both men and women, such as premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, decreased sex drive,... 1.3. Causes of diabetes Type 1 diabetes depends on the amount of insulin your body cannot produce on its own. It usually occurs in children and people under the age of 30. Causes of type 1 diabetes include:
Genetics: Genes are an important factor in developing type 1 diabetes. If a parent has diabetes in the family, the children will have diabetes. high risk of contracting this disease. But there are still cases where there is no effect of genetic factors that cause disease on the immune system. Your immune system is weakened: At this point, white blood cells attack beta cells. This will cause the pancreas to deteriorate and gradually lose its ability to produce insulin in the body. Environmental factors: Factors such as environment, food, diet, infection or toxins in your body are also the cause of type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes: Diabetes Type 2 is usually not insulin dependent. People with type 2 diabetes are usually over the age of 40. Currently, the disease is getting younger and younger, affecting the health, activities and lives of patients. Causes of type 2 diabetes include:
Genetics: As with type 1 diabetes, genes that play an important role in the development of type 2 diabetes reduce the pancreas' ability to produce insulin. . Obesity and sedentary: If you have a lot of excess calories in your body, it will cause insulin resistance. When the patient is sedentary, it affects the pancreas and puts pressure on the pancreas to produce insulin. The pancreas weakens and will gradually lose its ability to produce this substance, causing diabetes.

Maintaining blood sugar levels is also part of diabetes management. Doctors often prescribe traditional treatments, such as insulin injections, to keep blood sugar levels normal. Some people with diabetes also use complementary and alternative therapies (CAM). These therapies aim to treat the body and mind.
Alternative treatments for diabetes include:
Herbs Supplements Diet Exercises Relaxation techniques There is little evidence that some complementary and alternative therapies are effective fruit or not. Supplements can also be considered “all natural”. But that doesn't mean they won't be able to interfere with traditional medicines. In fact, there is no legal definition of “completely natural”.
2.1. Diet and exercise Most of us don't think of diet and exercise as "alternative medicine". But they fall into this category. Diet and exercise are important in the treatment of diabetes. What you eat and how active you are affects your blood sugar and health. Having a healthy diet and staying active has a positive impact on diabetes.
Having an exercise regimen is a standard recommendation for people with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends performing resistance exercises twice per week for people with no activity restrictions. Examples might be lifting free weights or using a resistance band. People with type 2 diabetes should also get at least 150 minutes of moderate to high intensity aerobic activity each week.
World Journal of Diabetes Review found that physical activity is one of the best treatments for managing type 2 diabetes. Exercise can lower blood pressure, improve fitness glucose tolerance and reduce blood sugar that is too high.
The American Diabetes Association makes similar recommendations for people with type 1 diabetes. But people with type 1 diabetes should be careful. They are more at risk of hypoglycemia than when they exercise. They should monitor their blood sugar carefully.
2.2. Herbs and Supplements Herbs and supplements are popular complementary and alternative therapies for people with diabetes. But the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not consider these therapies “drugs”. They are not managed. There are also no definitive studies on supporting the treatment of diabetes with functional foods.
Most of the support for these substances is word of mouth. Always talk to your doctor before you start using any new supplement. Some supplements can interact with medications you're taking.
Some of the most popular supplements used for diabetes include:
Aloe vera
In two clinical trials, researchers found that participants who took aloe vera for six weeks reduced their sugar levels in the fasting blood. The trials included long-term use of aloe vera. But there is concern about the effects of aloe vera taken by mouth, including its laxative effect.
alpha-lipoic acid
alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant found in foods like:
spinach, broccoli, cinnamon
studies on cinnamon have been inconsistent . But according to the Mayo Clinic, some studies suggest that cinnamon may enhance insulin sensitivity. Other studies have found no effect. If cinnamon is useful, its benefits are few.
Garlic
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a popular food supplement. But research on its effects in people with diabetes is scant. Clinical trials in people with type 2 diabetes taking garlic did not show changes in blood sugar or insulin levels. Several clinical trials have shown that garlic lowers total cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a powerful herbal supplement. It interacts with some drugs and especially warfarin. This is a medication that doctors prescribe as a blood thinner. According to the NCCIH, there is no current research to support the use of ginseng.
Magnesium
This mineral is found in many foods, including:
Whole grains Nuts Green leafy vegetables A 2011 meta-analysis of magnesium-related diabetes research also found these People with low magnesium levels are more likely to develop diabetes. Eating a magnesium-rich diet provides healthy and risk-free foods. But using the supplement is not recommended until clinical studies can prove its effectiveness.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are also considered “good fats”. They are found in foods like:
Salmon Walnuts Soybeans Supplements can help reduce heart disease and triglyceride levels. But there is no evidence that they reduce the risk of diabetes or help people manage diabetes. Additionally, supplements can interact with medications used to thin the blood.
prickly cactus
Also known as nopal, prickly pear cactus is a plant used in cooking. It may also have medicinal effects. But there would be no link between taking nopal and treating diabetes.

Insulin is not the only injectable diabetes medication your doctor may prescribe for you. Other drugs include:
3.1. Exenatide (Bydureon BCise, Byetta) Exenatide was the first GLP-1 drug approved by the FDA. Byetta came first. You take it as an injection twice daily. Bydureon B Cise is the newer extended release, which you inject once per week. You will not be able to take both drugs.
Target audience : Adults with type 2 diabetes for which other treatments have failed. Researchers have not studied this drug in pregnant women.
How it works: Like other GLP-1 drugs, exenatide requires the pancreas to secrete insulin, which helps move glucose out of your blood and into your cells. It also limits the amount of glucagon your body makes. This hormone prompts your liver to release stored sugar. The drug will also slow down digestion.
Side Effects: The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, feeling restless, dizziness, headache, sour stomach, constipation, and weakness. These symptoms usually disappear after the first month of treatment. Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can be serious, is another side effect.
FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) has also received reports of kidney failure in people taking this drug. All GLP-1 drugs, including both exenatides, carry a boxed warning noting that in animal studies, the drug has been linked to thyroid cancer in some rat species. and mice. Experts don't know if it has the same effect in humans. It's possible that you have low blood sugar or an allergic reaction to medication.
3.2. Liraglutide (Victoza) This is another GLP-1 drug. You inject it once a day. It helps your body secrete more insulin. This helps move glucose from your blood into your cells.
Who can be used: Adults with type 2 diabetes but no results with other treatment. You take it in combination with metformin or a sulfonylurea drug. If you are planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor. Liraglutide has not been studied in pregnant women.
How it works: Like other GLP-1 drugs, liraglutide signals your pancreas to release insulin. This moves glucose out of your blood and into your cells. It also limits the amount of the hormone glucagon your body makes. This substance prompts your liver to release stored sugar. The drug also slows down the digestive process.
Side effects: The most common side effects include nausea, diarrhea and headache. Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can be serious, is another side effect.
All GLP-1 drugs, including liraglutide, have a boxed warning noting that in animal studies, this drug has been linked to thyroid cancer in some rats and mice small. Experts don't know if it has the same effect in humans.
There may be an allergic reaction to liraglutide or hypoglycemia during use. If you become dehydrated from nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, it can lead to kidney failure.
3.3. Pramlintide (Symlin) It's a man-made version of a hormone called amylin, which your pancreas makes along with insulin when your blood sugar rises.
Target audience: It is approved for people with type 1 diabetes who are using mealtime insulin. It is also good for people with type 2 diabetes who are using mealtime insulin. If you think you might be pregnant, tell your doctor, as researchers have not studied this medicine in pregnant women.
Effect: You take pramlintide with insulin before meals. The two drugs work together to lower your blood sugar. Pramlintide also helps you digest food more slowly. This puts less sugar into the bloodstream. In addition to controlling your A1C levels, pramlintide helps reduce cravings, so you eat less.
Side Effects: Nausea is one of the most common side effects. Starting this medicine at a low dose and increasing it slowly can help combat nausea. Other side effects include less appetite, vomiting, stomach pain, fatigue, dizziness, or indigestion. It can also cause low blood sugar if you don't regulate the amount of insulin you're taking.
3.4. Semaglutide (Ozempic) This is also a long-acting GLP-1 drug that is taken once a week. It helps the body release more insulin and move glucose from the bloodstream into the cells.
Target audience: Adults with type 2 diabetes who have not had success with other diabetes treatments and have been used in adults at high risk for cardiovascular and renal disease. Researchers did not study this drug in pregnant women or adolescents under 18 years of age. How it works: Semaglutide tells your pancreas to secrete insulin, which helps move glucose out of your blood and into your cells. It also limits the amount of the hormone glucagon your body makes, because glucagon normally prompts your liver to release stored sugar. Combined with exercise, semaglutide has been successful in the treatment of obesity because of its ability to reduce hunger, cravings, and body fat.
Side Effects: The most common side effects include mild to moderate nausea, loss of appetite, and eye-related problems.
3.5. Dulaglutide (Trulicity) This is another GLP-1 drug. You only inject it once a week. It helps the body release more insulin and move glucose from the bloodstream into the cells.
Who can take it: Adults with type 2 diabetes who have not had success with other diabetes treatments. You should continue with your diet and exercise routine, but you can take it alone or in combination with metformin, pioglitazone, or a sulfonylurea drug. If you are planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor, as researchers have not studied this drug in pregnant women. How it works: Like other GLP-1 drugs, dulaglutide prompts the pancreas to secrete insulin, which helps move glucose out of your blood and into your cells. It also limits the amount of the hormone glucagon your body makes, because glucagon normally prompts your liver to release stored sugar.
Side Effects: The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and loss of appetite. All GLP-1 drugs, including dulaglutide, have a boxed warning noting that in animal studies, the drug has been linked to thyroid cancer in several species of rats and mice. small. Experts don't know if it has the same effect in humans.

References: healthline.com, pro.endocrineweb.com, todaysgeriatricmedicine.com