Dr. Désirée Lie’s post on Medscape reviews nopal (prickly pear cactus), fenugreek, cinnamon, and Gymnema.

Here are the highpoints.

Prickly pear cactus (nopal)

• Nopal is native to the southwestern US and South America.
• It’s traditionally used among Mexicans as a food and medicinally as an anti-inflammatory, a laxative, a blood sugar lowering treatment for diabetes, and to treat gastritis.
• How it works to lower blood sugar isn’t known, although it has an insulin-sensitizing effect in animals.
• 1 study showed a positive effect of nopal on blood sugar when included in a typical Mexican breakfast.
• Other studies of capsules or juice failed to show any effect on blood sugar.
• Nopal may interact with oral anti-diabetes drugs and increase the risk for hypoglycemia.

Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre, or gurmar)

• A woody climbing plant found in central and southern India, tropical Africa, and Australia.
• Used in Ayurvedic medicine.
• The leaves are used as a digestive; diuretic; and blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight-lowering agent.
• Only 2 studies, both of poor quality, showed significant reductions in blood sugar and A1c.
• Gymnema may interact with oral anti-diabetes drugs and increase the risk for hypoglycemia.

Cinnamon (Cassia cinnamon, or Cinnamomum aromaticum)

• Animal and laboratory studies indicate that cinnamon may mimic the effects of insulin, act as an insulin sensitizer, and improve cellular glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis.
• Studies in patients are small and have produced contradictory results.
• In the most recent study, researchers reported positive results and recommended cinnamon as an adjunct to diabetes care for patients with an A1c level greater than 7%.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

• An annual herb native to western Asia and southeastern Europe.
• 2 studies in diabetes patients reported a positive effect on blood sugar control.
• More on fenugreek is here.

The bottom line?

Go to the article for more details.

7/6/10 20:14 JR