Diabetes and Alternative Medicine

Diabetes is a disease that affects over twenty three million people in the United States alone. It affects the way food is processed for energy and the production of insulin in the body. There are severe health risks for people who have diabetes and in order to live a normal, healthy life including the reduction of side effects, medication must be used to regulate the blood sugar levels in the body. Without proper treatment there can be severe issues that affect the health and can even result in death. Traditional medicines have been used for years to help combat the effects of diabetes but there are also alternative medicines available.

Today there is a growing popularity for alternative medicines and more people are researching them as a means to help with diabetes. There are many homeopathic and natural treatments available that cab be used to compliment conventional medications. These include dietary changes, lifestyle changes, exercise and mental conditioning. Popular techniques include acupuncture, yoga, meditation, hypnosis and herbal remedies. If you are seeing a physician for diabetes, make sure to inform the doctor of any supplements and lifestyle changes you may be taking or trying.

Chromium, magnesium and vanadium have been recommended by holistic healers for the treatment of diabetes. These supplements have been studied over the years and there is some evidence to support their usefulness in assisting with diabetes side effects. However, there is not wide spread acceptance of these supplements as a primary remedy.

Brewer’s yeast, buckwheat, broccoli, greens, okra, peas, Fenugreek seeds and sage are all plants that are recommended to treat diabetes because of their high fiber properties. There are other herbs and plants that are often touted as potential remedies but no concrete evidence has been established to prove their effectiveness. So, be careful of advertising campaigns addressing claims of miracle cures.

Although there is some evidence to support the effective use of herbal remedies and alternative treatments, be careful of buying into any hype associated with the latest fad. If you have a question about the safety or effectiveness of a particular treatment, consult your physician and research on your own. Studies of herbal and alternative treatments have been made and there is proof that some help and others do not. If you are also taking conventional medications to help combat the effects of diabetes, make sure your physician is aware of everything else you are taking as there may be adverse reactions from the mixtures.

A combination of alternative treatments such as diets, mental conditioning and lifestyle changes along with herbal supplements proven to be effective is generally considered to be a great compliment to traditional medications in the treatment of diabetes. Be careful not to ingest any herbs or supplements before researching it thoroughly and ensuring it does have curative properties. Consult with your physician before taking any additional medication if you are already on conventional medications.

Is Homeopathy a Hoax?

Homeopathy has long been questioned as a legitimate medical practice. Most Western medical practitioners feel that homeopathy is completely ineffective. When any significant effects are seen in the use of homeopathy, most of these medical professionals credit those results to the placebo effect, a psychological response to the belief that something – like a medication - will help, making the brain believe that it does help.

Most of the theory behind homeopathy is, in fact, contradictory to the basic scientific principles of pharmaceutical medical practices. This is because there is no convincing or substantial scientific evidence to suggest that homeopathy is effective. But this is not to say that homeopathy doesn’t work. Some people do find relief from their medical symptoms through the use of homeopathic products. And while Western medicine feels these results are psychological, homeopaths feel that not only do homeopathic treatments work, they work both physiologically and psychologically.