Dietary Supplements for Diabetes Are Decidedly Popular: Help Your Patients Decide

Abstract

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study 2003–2006, about half of all Americans use supplements, spending $14.8 billion annually.1,2 Various reports describe supplement use by people with diabetes. The National Health Interview Survey reported that 22% of diabetes patients use herbal products.3 A survey of adult patients with diabetes found that 67% were using some type of vitamin or supplement.4 Another survey of parents of children with type 1 diabetes found that different modalities and supplements were being used, including aloe vera and cinnamon.5 Ethnic group differences may partially determine the use of supplements. For example, many Hispanics use herbs such as nopal or aloe vera, and Asians may use other products.6 A review of medication histories of 459 individuals with diabetes indicated that 55% use a supplement on a daily basis.7 Although there may be many explanations for why patients with diabetes take supplements, increased costs of medications and provider visits is one likely reason that individuals may seek more easily accessible supplement products.7 Other factors may also influence supplement use, including a desire to avoid adverse effects of traditional medications, the belief that supplements are “natural,” the realization that traditional treatments are unable to “cure” diseases, and the powerful suggestions of friends, family members, or coworkers.8 Diabetes severity and duration may also influence supplement use.9 Dietary supplements are used to lower glucose or to treat comorbidities such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Numerous supplements have been used for diabetes.10 Widely used and much discussed in the literature are products such as aloe vera, bitter melon, chromium, gymnema sylvestre, fenugreek, ginseng, and nopal. More recently, information has emerged about the use of cinnamon and coenzyme Q10, as well as less well-known but increasingly popular products, including …