Herbal Supplements - Quack or Fiction?

"Herbal Supplements"

I know, I know, Why the Controversial Topics?

But it is necessary to open this can of worms or bottle of Pills.

Does Cinnamon  lower blood sugar?
Does Ginseng lower blood sugar?  Does Alpha Lipoic Acid reduce Neuropathy & BG?
Does Vitamin E prevent Heart Disease?

These are just a few examples of the claimed benefits and uses of natural products to control diabetes.

I have had people refuse to take a Statin(Cholesterol lowering med) but take 3 teaspoons of Cinnamon, and massive doses of strange herbs I dare to pronounce.  Scary, and perhaps an example of desperation, and or a mistrust in modern medicine.

I encourage you to click the links. Note the difference in studies from the naturals and the Statin. Not to mention it's interesting.

There are many herbal or natural supplements being marketed and endorsed.   But, the medical community seems to remain skeptical, and I rarely hear a physician prescribe any of the above examples. But are these products beneficial and are the studies legit.? I do notice more interest in using Omega 3 capsules, and Vitamin D. But this greatly depends on the medical professional.

Is there a place for natural supplements in main stream medicine? Or, are these products being given way too much attention and hype?  I think, yes there is a place, and yes, they are given too much sensationalized media attention with out proper studies.

The question posed is; are these herbal recommendations based on bad science and quackery or are they worthy of being fiction and fact?

I guess I posted this to stir the pot. As I must admit I get annoyed with the abundance of claims in the media, from Hollywood stars claiming to cure type one diabetes to miracle formula's.

The amount of information is exponential and people who are seeking a way to fix their diabetes will try just about anything. My issue is; are they trying safe things? Are they reading good research, and not quack science, making false claims.  I could go online, read a study claiming that product "A" prevents heart disease, and then I could find another study claiming the exact opposite. It's very confusing and often misleading.

I am grateful that we are looking at natural medicine, I do think there are products that are indeed worthy in the treatment of diabetes. But let's be safe about it.

On a personal note, I believe in Omega 3, Vitamin D, and a few other well researched supplements. But I also believe, that people are out to make a buck.

I think we need to keep things real, like, reduced processed food, more natural foods, shop on the perimeter, exercise, read the ingredients, not just the advertising on the box.  We have to be skeptical of what we choose to treat our diabetes with.

"Or Fact?"

My concluding message is; be cautious, if it's too good to be true, then it's likely Quackery at work, and not Fiction.

Let me know what you think. Do you have a favorite
Herb?

Trev

What's up with the Food Guide!

Hello all you wonderful people!

As a nurse educator I am required to teach others with diabetes how to eat properly(well that's not all I do)  Yes, we have dietitian's for that during group programs.  However,  I do a lot of follow up with my diabetic patients.

I am required to cover the basics like, food choices, portions sizes, food types, fiber, etc.

So before every meeting, I must  reluctantly grab the Food Guide.  I say reluctantly for a few reasons.

The original Food Rules was designed and published in the 1940's, yes, the 40's when people were actually needing to gain weight, and suffered from malnourished diseases like scurvy, vitamin deficiencies.

Fast forward to now.  Go to the mall and look around and it is unfortunately obvious that we are no longer malnourished.

So I enter the room to advise my patient on proper eating, using a tool invented in the 40's, although it has been modified over the years.  At least now in Canada the fruits and vegetables are prioritized to the top, not starches like before. Unfortunately protein is on the bottom.

It is let's just say a professional dilemma for me to advise a person with diabetes to consume huge amounts of carbohydrate. Let's just kill the little Islet cells they have left shall we(Sense the sarcasm) Anyhow, I need a job so I have to follow the rules.

So there I am sitting across from an individual who tells me "I have been following the guide as recommended, and I am gaining weight, my blood fats(lipids) keep getting worse, and my diabetes is getting harder to control"
What do I say?  I can tell you what I want to say, which is,  stop eating so much carb, and grill yourself some lean steak and omega three eggs for breakfast instead of the 2 cups of cold cereal loaded with 80 grams of CHO(carbohydrate)

Back to reality. Don't worry, I rely on other tools.

I discuss the fact that obviously the plan is not working, so perhaps try reducing your carb intake by 10-20 grams per meal, add some lower carb vegetables, and increase the leaner proteins. I also explain the concept of glycemic index, fiber, and the role of fat and protein in satiety.

I encourage them to simply explore the literature, trial and error, and to ask themselves if their current method is actually working.

Basically I give them some food for thought, no pun intended.

I am glad that more and more people are considering lower carbohydrate diets as a healthy and legitimate weight loss strategy.  I am also glad that more and more research is being done on the effects of a lower CHO diet.

One final note: I tell them to shop on the perimeter of the grocery store and avoid the inner isles where all the super-carb loaded food is stored.

Trev