Diabetes is a disease where the body is not able to metabolize glucose in the blood. Type-1 diabetes is caused by the damage of Beta islet cells located in the pancreas. When working properly these cells usually secrete insulin but for people with Type-1 diabetes these cells are not working. Type-1 diabetics will need to be on insulin therapy for the rest of their lives. Type-2 diabetes is cause by the destruction of insulin receptors on cell surfaces which causes the cells to be resistant to insulin. Type-2 diabetes can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication and in some cases with lifestyle changes alone. There are also many alternative or natural substances that can help alleviate symptoms and control blood glucose levels for Type-2 diabetes.

Currently studies are being conducted on many herbs that have been used for centuries to treat diabetic symptoms. There are several Amazon jungle root herbs with reported abilities to lower blood glucose levels, normalize the frequency of urination, and eradicate glucose in the urine of diabetic patients. In Brazil, the Pfaffia root has been used for decades to treat the symptoms of diabetes. Pata-de-vaca is also widely used in Brazil for the treatment of diabetes.

One doctor in China has studied the results of goji berry on the blood of thousands of patients. This doctor theorizes that the goji berry makes the patients blood more alkaline. He has reported that as the alkalinity changes, there is a turnaround of all illnesses. His claim is that this reversal includes diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, obesity, renal failure, high cholesterol, arthritis and other illnesses associated with physical or mental problems, including attention deficit disorder.

Another research program currently in China has diabetics drinking a tea made from the goji berry. Results show that up to 62 percent of subjects showed decrease in blood glucose levels and over half of the patients being able to control blood sugar levels with diet alone. Goji helps with the release of oxygen to the cells with an enzyme named 23BPG. This seems to help reduce the symptoms caused by the narrowing of blood vessels in the legs, eyes and other areas in the body of diabetics.

Another natural substance that is being studied is cocoa. A study conducted in Germany showed cocoa with high flavanol improves cardiovascular health. The study was specifically to test the effectiveness of the cocoa with long term use. 41 stable Type-2 diabetics were given cocoa with high dose flavanol in comparison with low flavanol dosage cocoa. During the study, the researchers did find that the flavanol found in cocoa did have a positive effect on FMD response in diabetics. Researchers concluded that these results happened by increased production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a chemical that sends signals to arteries to relax and widen in response to increased blood flow. This relaxation of the arteries takes stress off the heart and blood vessels.

Alternative treatments of diabetes are currently being researched in many countries around the world. There is research being done on natural substances that help alleviate many of the symptoms of Type-2 diabetes.