Effectiveness of CAM in diabetes
Researchers at the University of Ottawa, in Ontario reviewed the evidence for improved control of diabetes in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
First, the details.
- Studies of cinnamon, fenugreek, Gymnema sylvestre (an Ayurvedic herb), green tea, fiber, momordica (bitter melon), chromium, and vanadium were reviewed.
- Studies focused on the ability of these treatments to improve A1c (the best long-term evidence of diabetes control) and fasting blood sugar levels (a common way to test for diabetes and for short term blood sugar control).
And, the results.
- Chromium
- Reduced A1c levels and fasting blood sugar levels in a large meta-analysis
- Gymnema sylvestre
- Reduced A1c levels in 2 small studies
- Cinnamon
- Improved fasting blood sugar levels
- Its effects on A1c are unknown
- Bitter melon
- No effect in 2 small studies
- Fiber
- No consistent effect on A1c or fasting blood sugar levels in 12 small studies.
- Green tea and fenugreek
- Each reduced fasting blood sugar levels in 1 of 3 small studies
- Vanadium
- Reduced fasting blood sugar levels in small studies
- There are no studies evaluating the effects of these complementary treatments on the complications of diabetes.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded the following.
- Chromium and possibly Gymnema sylvestre appear to improve diabetes control.
- Fiber, green tea, and fenugreek have other benefits but there is little evidence that they substantially improve diabetes control.
- Further research on bitter melon and cinnamon is warranted.
One adjustment to this review, which was published in June 2009. This past September researchers reported, “Supplementation with 1 gram of cinnamon daily lowers A1c by 0.83% in patients with poorly controlled diabetes.”
11/22/09 21:05 JR
