Healthy living
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies and diabetes may not mix
People with diabetes should discuss complementary treatment with their doctors before trying it
At the moment, many don’t and they could be putting their health at risk, according to a report published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing. Diabetes affects over two million people in the UK and occurs when the body is unable to properly regulate blood sugar levels. A review of 18 studies from nine countries has revealed that up to 72 per cent of people who have diabetes may use complementary medicine alongside conventional treatment.
The review, carried out at the Griffith School of Medicine in Australia, found that the most widely used therapies include nutritional supplements, herbal medicines, spiritual healing and relaxation techniques.
Lead author Annie Chang said that while some products may have benefits for patients, they can also have side effects in their own right or interact with conventional medications.
"Fenugreek for example, used as a supplement, may affect blood sugar levels but patients are already on other blood sugar lowering medications as well," she says.
Women over 65 are among the most likely to supplement their conventional medicine with alternative treatments. "People will tell their alternative practitioners that they are using Western medicines but the vast majority will not discuss their alternative therapies with a doctor or other healthcare professional," said Chang.
Diabetes UK acknowledges that complementary medicines are currently popular for a whole range of conditions including diabetes. However, the charity warns that these treatments are not tested or regulated in the same way as conventional ones.
"Diabetes UK is unable to recommend their use as there is still a lack of clinical evidence about their effectiveness and safety for people with diabetes," said Caroline Butler, Care Advisor at Diabetes UK.
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