One of the most common symptoms of blood sugar imbalance is a craving for sweet foods; in Chinese Medicine, this particular type of craving is associated with an imbalance in the “Earth” organs, the Spleen and Stomach. The functions attributed to these organs in Chinese medicine are closer to that of the stomach and pancreas. Diabetes has been described and treated with herbs in ancient Chinese medical literature for over 2000 years. These ancient texts describe a syndrome that “arises from consuming too much fatty, sweet, or rich foods” and that typically occurs among “wealthy” people: “you ask them to refrain from a rich diet, which they may resist.” In 752 AD the distinguished physician Wang Tao recommended the consumption of pork pancreas as a treatment; this shows an acknowledgement that the pancreas was involved in the disorder, way before the advent of lab blood analysis.
In treating insulin resistance and blood sugar irregularity, the acupuncturist will mainly focus on the Lung, Stomach, Spleen, and Kidney meridians, as well as special points on the back. Prevention, or treatment at early onset of the disorder yields the best results, and these are enhanced greatly by combining treatment with botanical medicine.
A study of 4037 cases of Type 1 and 2 diabetes in China showed that acupuncture was 93% effective reducing blood sugar and associated symptoms. In another 4-month study involving thousands of patients, 1794 (20%) patients with Type 2 diabetes demonstrated clinical recovery, 2346 (25%) showed prominent improvement in symptoms, 3835 (41%) showed moderate improvement, and only 1407 (15.00%) showed no effect. Patients receiving 3 treatments over 8 days showed sustained effects of lowered blood glucose for 2 weeks after. A realistic approach to treatment and management would be one session per week.
Dietarily, a lot of emphasis has been placed on greatly lowering or eliminating carbohydrate intake, and this really may not be the best approach. In fact, back in 1930, Dr. H.P. Himsworth demonstrated that if carbohydrates were taken out of the diet and replaced by either protein or fats, a person would quickly develop insulin resistance and diabetes. The key here is in the choice of high-fiber complex carbohydrates rather than low-fiber simple and highly processed carbs such as flours, refined sugar, soda, pastry and fructose. To illustrate this point, a diabetic can eat a large plate of spinach that contains as much carbohydrate as a tablespoonful of sugar, without the same blood-sugar spike that would occur with that amount of sugar.
Herbs and nutrients are crucial to the complete treatment and prevention of blood-sugar irregularity in diabetics, pre-diabetics, and people with these disorders prevalent in their families. A 1996 study of 180 Type 2 diabetics, carried out in China under the guidance of Dr. Richard A. Anderson11, found that 500 mcg of Chromium Picolinate taken twice daily for 4 months lowered the fasting glucose level to an average of 129, compared to 160 in those taking a placebo. Effects of Chromium appear to be due to increased insulin sensitivity. Vanadium is a mineral that very effectively lowers blood sugar by mimicking insulin and improving the cells’ sensitivity to insulin. Herbs like Fenugreek, Ginseng, Gymnema and Bilberry are also helpful in the right dosages, and there are also many well-researched Chinese Botanical Patent medicines that are effective at controlling blood sugar and insulin, but need to be prescribed by a practitioner well-versed in the particulars of Chinese herbal therapy, in order to best match the patients’ needs.
Brie Wieselman, L.Ac, is a State and Nationally Licensed Acupuncturist/Herbalist. In her private practice, she treats Gynecological & Fertility issues, Anxiety/Depression, Insomnia, Digestive Disorders, Adrenal Fatigue, Thyroid Imbalances, Blood Sugar Irregularities, Food allergies, Pain, Asthma, Allergies, and Autoimmune Disorders. Brie practices at the Harborside Acupuncture Clinic at 550 Palm St.