Complementary and alternative medicine use a number of products and practices which are not presently considered to be part of the mainstream system of healthcare and the main difference between the two is that complementary medicine is designed to be used alongside conventional treatment while alternative medicine is used instead of conventional treatment.
There are many forms of both complimentary and alternative medicine which are believed to produce beneficial effects but there are others forms can be extremely harmful and, in the case of a potentially serious condition such as diabetes, you should not use either without the knowledge of your doctor. Indeed, you should talk to your doctor about any form of complimentary or alternative medicine which you wish to use so that he can advise you of any possible medical consequences of such treatment.
There are a large number of different types of complimentary and alternative therapy for diabetes including:
1. Guided Imagery. Guided imagery is technique which relaxes the mind and body and develops an awareness of, and an ability to deal with, the body's response to pain using peaceful images. This can be particularly useful for diabetes suffering with nerve damage.
2. Acupuncture. Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles into different parts of the body and can be used to trigger the release of natural chemical painkillers. It can be especially helpful for diabetes suffering with often painful nerve damage (neuropathy).
3. Magnesium. The exact part played by magnesium in controlling diabetes is poorly understood but it is known that this mineral, which is found in green leaf vegetables, whole grain foods and nuts, plays an important role in many of the body's functions including functions of the nerves, heart, muscles and bones. It also plays a part in the helping the body to handle glucose and low levels of magnesium are often found in people suffering from diabetes.
4. Ginseng. Ginseng has become very popular popularity recently for the treatment of a whole range of different conditions and is sold widely. There is some evidence from studies using American ginseng that it can reduce glucose levels, but this evidence is not strong enough yet to say just how effective it is as a form of therapy. One problem with ginseng is that it comes in a variety of different forms and strengths and nobody really knows just what amount or strength is needed for therapeutic purposes.
Whatever form of complimentary or alternative medicine you would like to try it is important to remember that you treating a serious and potentially life-threatening condition and that you should consult your doctor before trying any form of therapy.
The Treatment Of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is when the production of insulin decreases or is absent. It is an autoimmune disorder usually caused by genetics, chemical secretions, or other factors which are out of a person??s control. However, this doesn??t mean that through effective natural therapies, diet and exercise we cannot relief from diabetes symptoms. Type 2 diabetes on the other hand can not only be managed but also prevented through natural remedies that help in the treatment of diabetes.
Supplements and herbs for the treatment of diabetes
There are some herbs that are thought to help in the control and treatment of diabetes. Bitter gourd, grown in India, contains plant insulin and if it is taken on an empty stomach, can be effective for preventing diabetes symptoms. Coccinia indica, also known as the ??ivy gourd?? has been found to contain insulin-mimetic properties. Further testing is being done to prove its effectiveness in the treatment of diabetes. Research is also being done into bauhinia forficate, grown in South America is used in a Brazilian herbal remedy and also contains ??vegetable insulin.??
Aloe vera is grown in arid soil and often used as a skin lotion and for treating burns. Dried aloe vera sap and gel may be able to lower fasting blood glucose levels and so relieve diabetes symptoms. Natural supplements of magnesium could improve insulin sensitivity. Chromium, found in whole grains, mushrooms, corn oil and brewers yeast has also proved effective. The correct doses of vitamin A and B have helped in managing insulin and the treatment of diabetes. However these have to be taken with care as they could interfere with the absorption of insulin by the cells.
Diet
The first step, however, in the control and treatment of diabetes should always be through diet. Refined sugar, sweets and other sweet food or drinks, fats like butter and hydrogenated vegetable oil should be avoided, along with many processed foods. Alcohol and smoking should be avoided completely, to remove the risk of diabetes symptoms, though an occasional drink is not out of the question.
Salt should be reduced along with red meat and other foods that are full of saturated fats. Whole grains and fresh fruits should be added along with raw vegetables, sprouts, fish and other foods rich in antioxidants. Trans-fats and saturated fats should be replaced with monounsaturated fats like peanut, canola and olive oil.
Other foods that help are cinnamon sticks eaten naturally or in tea and fenugreek seeds soaked in water. The Indian gooseberry and margosa or neem extracts (azadirachta indica - a subtropical tree) have all proved useful in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Garlic has been tested and found to be useful in limited studies. It offers antioxidant properties and micro-circulatory effects and could help reduce blood glucose, increase insulin secretion, and slow degradation, preventing diabetes symptoms.
Exercise
Walking, any sport, jogging and swimming are particularly helpful. Specific yoga postures help in stretching and relaxing the body along with helping the mind to handle any stress caused by diabetes symptoms.
Both Donald Saunders & Lac Tran are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Donald Saunders has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health Insurance, Forex Training and Diabetes Treatment. For more information on all aspects of diabetes including taking a and. Donald Saunders's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.
Lac Tran has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, High Cholesterol and Fitness. Author Bio: Mitamins teambd@mitamins.netTargeted: Diabetes; Safety: Avoid Vitamins Overdose, Supplement Drug Interactions; Quality: Freshly Made with Brand Ingredients.. Lac Tran's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.
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