Integrative medicine treatments for patients with diabetes mellitus:
Fiber and diabetes mellitus:
Guar gum ( a type of glucomannan):
In individuals with type 2 diabetes (n=16), guar gum (Guarina) significantly improved fasting blood sugar and HbAlc (a measure how well diabetes is being controlled). Participants were administered either Guarina (G) or placebo for 2 periods of 8-weeks. Compared to placebo, fasting blood sugar levels were significantly reduced to 151.7 mg/dL by G (vs 168.6 mg/dL for placebo). G supplementation also significantly reduced HbAlc (by 6.9%) and fasting insulin levels (by 18.3 U/ml). Total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, salt, potassium, chloride, magnesium and calcium levels were not affected by either placebo or G. Side-effects were reported in 62.5% of patients receiving Guarina and included abdominal cramps, diarrhea (most common), and skin itching. (1)