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July 11, 2022While most people today have a better awareness of diabetes today, as compared to some decades ago, patients and caregivers are still bombarded with misinformation. Much of this misinformation is aimed at perpetuating or creating myths that can help unscrupulous marketers sell diabetes cures that don’t work. Many of these products are also marketed as fertility treatment or as cures for infertility associated with diabetes. Some of these alternative therapies, including ‘natural’ products aren’t harmless, but can actually pose a serious risk to diabetes patients.
Common Diabetes Cure Myths
Detox Therapy To Reverse Diabetes
Detox treatments have become trendy and are the most common programs marketed as diabetes reversal treatment. These detox plans can include restrictive diet therapies and the use of other therapies within ‘diabetes clinics’. However, these treatments are not based on valid clinical evidence and often use claims based on a handful of poorly conducted studies.
‘Natural’ Supplements To Cure Diabetes
Natural supplements may seem like a safe and healthy way to lower blood sugar levels or lose weight naturally, however such products are not subject to strict regulations. As a result, there are safety concerns because of a high risk of contamination and adulteration. Moreover, the term ‘natural’ is not regulated and some manufacturers may claim that their products are natural although they include artificial ingredients. With the exceptions of chromium and cinnamon, evidence to support the use of natural supplements and herbs is poor and inconclusive. It would be a better idea to use herbs and natural ingredients in their natural form to prevent diabetes or reverse prediabetes.
Hydrogen Peroxide For Diabetes
It’s hard to tell where this myth originated, but there are claims that consuming hydrogen peroxide can help with the management of oxygen in your body, thereby improving blood sugar levels to cure diabetes. This is not only false, but can be downright dangerous. Even using food grade hydrogen peroxide can cause serious complications and may be fatal. The topical use of hydrogen peroxide for wounds and skin care is also advised against as it is known to slow healing type, which can be particularly dangerous for diabetes patients.
Diabetes Management With Magnet Therapy
This is another myth created by marketers trying to sell diabetes patients useless products that offer no value. The claims may sound convincing and include suggestions that magnetized water or water with ionized water molecules contain a changed molecular structure that improves blood glucose levels. Similarly, claims are also made that magnetic shoe inserts can be used as a preventive aid or treatment for diabetic neuropathy. None of these claims are supported by any evidence and can cause patients to neglect precautions that should be taken.
Although diabetes can be challenging to live with, modern treatments are extremely effective if used consistently and as per the recommendations of your doctor. Just remember that anything that sounds too good to be true is probably false and is most likely aimed at selling or promoting an alternative medicine or therapy. No matter how convinced you might be that a treatment could work, make sure to speak to your doctor before trying any alternative treatment and don’t stop using your prescription medications.