Alternative Therapies
| Author: Judy Kohn, RN, BSN, CDE |
| Last Updated: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 |
Q: "Why isn’t there more information or emphasis on alternative therapies for diabetes?"
A: In general, these treatments are not recognized by the diabetes medical community because they have not been clinically proven or FDA approved.
As the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) states,
"Alternative therapies are treatments that are neither widely taught in medical schools nor widely practiced in hospitals. Alternative treatments that have been studied to manage diabetes include acupuncture, biofeedback, guided imagery, and vitamin and mineral supplementation. The success of some alternative treatments can be hard to measure. Many alternative treatments remain either untested or unproven through traditional scientific studies."
One concern from the diabetes medical community is that some people perceive alternative therapies to be somehow superior to standard diabetes treatment, because alternative therapies are considered "natural." However, what isn't realized is that many pharmaceutical drugs are derived from natural plants-and the advantage of using a prescribed drug is that it has undergone rigorous testing and has the approval of the FDA. Furthermore, the dosage of prescribed medication is standardized; thus, you can be assured you are getting the purity and accurate strength of the designated product. Also remember that often, your prescribed medications will be covered under your health plan, while alternative therapy medications may not be reimbursable.
It has been my experience that some people with diabetes are under the misconception that alternative therapies are preferred and considered "safer and natural", while prescribed medication is "bad" and to be avoided. While it is widely understood that a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight maintenance are all important aspects in diabetes management, it is also true that most people with diabetes will require diabetes medication. Likewise, alternative therapies are not necessarily "harmless" so it is important that you make a careful and fully informed decision about using such treatments.
Many healthcare professionals are receptive to the use of alternative therapies as an addition to regular diabetes treatment, rather than "instead of" your regular medication. Remember to always inform your healthcare team of all your medications-both over-the-counter medicines and alternative therapies.
Below are various resources that include information on alternative therapies. As always, before considering any of these options, be sure to fully discuss this with your healthcare team.
Related Links
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
http://www.fda.gov
The Diabetes Mall
http://www.diabetesnet.com
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
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