As the world celebrated World Diabetes Day on November 14, experts have issued a warning on the serious consequence of replacing standard diabetes treatment with herbal remedies.
The experts, who spoke in separate interviews with our correspondent, said the resort to herbal remedies had become prevalent among many diabetics in Nigeria.
Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders in which there are high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. Symptoms of high blood sugar include frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger. If left untreated, diabetes can cause many complications. The acute complications can include diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, or death; while serious long-term complications include cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, foot ulcers, and damage to the eyes.
Many people use herbs and supplement to replace Type 2 Diabetes treatment. It is wrong. Even if it is to be used, it should only complement the standard diabetes treatment in managing the symptoms of the disease and not replace it
A physician with Platinum Hospitals, Isolo, Lagos, Dr. Eniola Ayodeji, says since diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough insulin or the cells of the body not responding properly to the insulin produced, “herbal remedies cannot control the organs producing it to do so effectively, but can only control sugar levels because most of these herbal remedies have not actually gone through proper refinement.”
“Many people use herbs and supplement to replace Type 2 Diabetes treatment. It is wrong. Even if it is to be used, it should only complement the standard diabetes treatment in managing the symptoms of the disease and not replace it. Doing so can put your health at risk. So, make sure you speak with your doctor before taking supplements for diabetes,” he says.
He notes that the Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes, but is becoming more common in children, causing their blood glucose levels to be unbalanced.
Ayodeji adds that since there is no cure, many people are able to manage their blood glucose levels with diet and exercise and if that is not effective, a doctor can prescribe medications such as insulin theraphy that can manage blood sugar levels.
“A healthy diet, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight are the first, and sometimes, most important part of diabetes treatment. However, when those are not enough to maintain your blood sugar levels, your doctor can decide which medications will work best for you .Some of these products can interfere with other treatments and medications. Just because a product is natural does not mean it is safe to use,” he says.
He notes that some supplements have shown fair efficacy in animal studies, however, “there is currently only limited evidence that they have the total improved effects in humans. So, it is always best to let the foods patients consume provide their vitamins and
minerals.”
The only symptom that I had was tingling in my legs especially at night after I retired to bed. The tingling became more severe where I could not get them to stop. I thought I had restless leg syndrome. My doctor tested me for diabetes and found that I had type II diabetes and the sugar was attacking my legs because it had no place to go. He put me on a sugar free diet and Actos and within one to two days my symptom were gone.. One day I got extremely sick, could not keep anything down, had blurry vision, a rapid heartbeat.I Started taking metformin 1000 mg twice daily. I am writing this to inform others that nothing was really working to help my condition.I went off the metformin (with the doctor’s knowledge) and started on Diabetes herbal formula i ordered from Health Herbal Clinic, my symptoms totally declined over a 7 weeks use of the Diabetes natural herbal formula. i am now doing very well, Visit there website www. healthherbalclinic. net or email Info@ healthherbalclinic. net This treatment is incredible!
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