Table 1.
Summary of evidence supporting complementary and alternative medicine therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus
| INTERVENTION | BODY OF EVIDENCE |
|---|---|
| Cinnamon | FBG level reduction in 2 of 3 trials |
| Chromium | HbA1c and FBG level reduction in meta-analysis |
| Vanadium | FBG level reduction in uncontrolled trials |
| Fibre | HbA1c level reduction (non-significant) in 1 of 3 trials FBG level reduction in 6 of 12 trials |
| Green tea | FBG level reduction in 1 of 3 trials
Other benefits |
| Bitter melon | No benefit to HbA1c or FBG levels in 2 small trials |
| Fenugreek | FBG level reduction in 1 of 3 trials
Other benefits |
| Gymnema | HbA1c level reduction in 2 small trials |
HbA1c—glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, FBG—fasting blood glucose.