Complementary and alternative medicine for diabetes

Although diabetes was identified by a Greek physician, Aretaeus of Cappadocia, about 2,000 years ago, this old disease remains incurable. Diabetes is characterized by insulin deficiency, insulin resistance, and aberrant glucose, protein, and lipid metabolism. Genetic and environmental factors are the primary causes of diabetes. It is estimated that about 300 million people globally are afflicted with this disease. However, current oral antidiabetic agents using orthodox medicine have unmet efficacy and undesirable side effects in patients, leading to the development of microvascular and macrovascular complications. Research and development of new remedies for diabetes are, therefore, in great demand.