Complementary and alternative medicine and type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly used by patients nowadays. The pooled prevalence of CAM use is about 51%. Many types of CAM have been practiced by patients with diabetes. Some of them showed promising results on blood glucose and other cardiometabolic parameters such as blood pressure, body mass, and lipid profile. This chapter explores two main types of CAM: Herbs and mind–body therapy. Different types of mind–body therapy and plants, plant extracts, and herbal substances have been utilized for an extended period and are sometimes favored by many individuals with T2D. Those practices and compounds found in these natural remedies are believed to have the potential to benefit the body in several ways, including the reduction of symptoms, alleviation of pain, and promotion of overall health. This chapter includes a summary of the findings of the available systematic reviews and meta-analyses regarding the most used medicinal herbs and body–mind therapies. In conclusion, as some of these interventions are promising, it is unclear to what extent glucose metabolism and certain substances can help mitigate complications in late-stage diabetes. Healthcare providers should be aware about them.