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The Safety and Efficacy of Common Herbal and Dietary Supplements in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Part 2

In Part 1 of this literature review, Aloe vera and alpha-lipoic acid were discussed in detail. In this part, in-depth discussions on chromium, cinnamon, fenugreek, garlic, and Gymnema sylvestre are presented. These complementary and alternative medicine supplements include botanical and nonbotanical products for managing type 2 diabetes.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements for Cardiovascular Disease

A meta-analysis of systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials to analyze the role of commonly used dietary supplements for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease suggests no significant effect on cardiovascular outcomes or all-cause mortality, although some B vitamins appear to reduce stroke incidence, and B3 appears to increase all-cause mortality.

Chamomile and Diabetes

A systematic review of recent studies of the effects of chamomile on metabolic profiles suggests a positive effect on glycemic control, lipid profiles, and diabetic complications.

Dietary Influences on Rheumatoid Disease

An extensive systematic review of research exploring the relationship between diet and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis as well as disease activity concludes that some dietary patterns and supplements may be protective enough to be recommended as part of the holistic management of rheumatoid disease

A Null Finding: Vitamin D3 Supplementation Not Associated with Depression Prevention

This randomized clinical trial involving more than 18,000 nondepressed adults at baseline and followed for five years concludes that supplementation with vitamin D3 (vs. placebo) is not associated with a decrease in symptoms of depression.

Air Filters and Asthma

Children with asthma showed improved small airway mechanics following indoor filtration of particulates (2.5 µm and greater) using high-efficiency particulate air filtration devices.

Loneliness and Type 2 Diabetes Incidence

Loneliness appears to be an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes, although further research to identify the causal relationship between loneliness and type 2 diabetes development is needed.

Does Combined Obesity and Depression Treatment Result in Better Quality of Life and Psychosocial Functioning?

This study tracked measures of quality of life and psychosocial functioning in patients participating in a randomized clinical trial with the goal of reducing symptoms of obesity and depression. The authors found that both quality of life and psychosocial functioning significantly increased at six months compared to patients with “care as usual,” but not at 12 months.

The Safety and Efficacy of Common Herbal and Dietary Supplements in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Part 1

With an increasing number of diabetes cases, clinicians also are encountering more patients who are turning to complementary and alternative medicine to help control their glucose levels. In a 2015 National Consumer Survey on the Medication Experience and Pharmacist Roles, 35% of 26,157 respondents in the study reported the use of at least one herbal medicine. In all, 3,050 respondents had diabetes, and 41.2% of the respondents reported the use of a dietary supplement.3 The data revealed that respondents with diabetes were associated with higher herbal medicine use when compared to respondents without chronic diseases (41% vs. 34%, P < 0.001). The results also showed that herbal medicine use increased as age increased among the respondents.

Vitamin D and COVID-19

Low levels of vitamin D are associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19, but causality is unknown.