If one looks up diabetes and its treatment on the Internet, many sites will provide you with ads that promote "Natural Products" that claim to be good for whatever ails you. You will be told that your diabetes can be managed or even cured. Your neuropathy will disappear; you will be able to stop taking your prescribed medicine; you will feel better.
Are Natural Products Safer?
A big part of the promotion of these products is that they are "natural" or "herbal." These claims try to imply that if it is natural or herbal, it is inherently safer and more effective than anything made synthetically.
Be careful. Be very careful. Just because something is natural does not mean it is safe or effective. After all, the sun is natural, but too much of it can cause severe burns, skin cancer, or promote the development of cataracts. Water is natural, but one can drown in it.
Healthcare providers are concerned that diabetes patients will buy into these promotions, and be convinced to stop taking the prescription drugs that have proven to be safe and effective. There is also the concern that these misled patients will waste large amounts of money on products touted as “natural” and “herbal” that don’t actually do anything, or worse, are potentially harmful.
The Truth About Natural Products
The plain truth is that these products have rarely been tested in a thorough manner, and are not proven to be particularly safe or effective. Remember that if the product was truly effective, and the company did the proper testing; the company could make a great deal more money.
Most people want to believe that there is a product on the market that will act as a cure-all, helping them feel better or overcome a health problem. Here are some red flags for you to consider when making decisions about natural and herbal products:
If the product is good for more than one or two disease states, it is probably a scam.
If the only evidence of its great effects is from patient testimonials, it is probably worthless.
If the results of a so claimed "scientific" study is published in a phony journal, you should know it is a scam.
If you are told that the product is very popular in a foreign country, you should be cautious.
That being said, there are many legitimate products labeled “natural” and “herbal,” both prescription and over-the-counter, that have been tested for safety and effectiveness. To avoid scams and potentially harmful effects, be inquisitive. Consult your physician, pharmacist, or diabetes educator before you add these types of products to your treatment regimen.
Post new comment