A guideline to alternative therapies for diabetes

Studies show more and more people are turning to alternative remedies to battle diabetes. There are many options to try so here is some of the pros and cons of some of the more popular therapies

Herbs and other supplements haven't proven themselves to be the equal of pharmaceuticals in medical studies so far, but some may influence blood sugar. Complementary and alternative medicine goes beyond herbs and supplements; it refers to practices such as acupuncture and massage therapy. There is a host of mind/body treatments that can help support people with diabetes. In particular, those that soothe and calm — such as massage, yoga, hypnosis, biofeedback, guided imagery and the like — can help you resist stress and better maintain blood-sugar control. Try a healing practice that focusses on calm and relaxation.

Yoga is calming for your mind and great fitness for your body. You will carefully stretch and strengthen your muscles, loosen your joints and align your posture. At the same time, you'll deepen and improve your breathing, slow your heart rate and improve blood flow throughout your body. Although a comprehensive study has yet to be done on the effect of a yoga practice on blood sugar or diabetes, smaller studies done overseas show positive signs. They suggest that a regular yoga practice will help regulate blood-sugar levels and improve insulin receptivity.More prominent is research that shows that yoga can assist in weight loss, lower blood pressure and even cleanse arteries.

The answer is a qualified yes — qualified because only a few studies have examined whether or not it works. But in a 2010 Chinese study, researchers compared the cases of 42 people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy who were treated with a 15-day course of acupuncture with 21 people who received "sham" acupuncture. They discovered that the real acupuncture treatments improved feelings of numbness and pain. Some said their symptoms cleared up completely, and most never had to go back for more treatment.

Like all medicine, each person reacts differently but the benefits of alternative therapies are slowing being recognized and may work for you.