ABSTRACT
Standard approaches to the management of diabetic and prediabetic patients incorporate diet, exercise and, as needed, pharmaceuticals. Nevertheless, the use of dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods (DS/N-FF) in clinical medicine has grown enormously in recent years. This phenomenon owes its popularity to a variety of factors: (1) desire by the public to “self-treat” and avoid doctors’ visits and pharmaceuticals; (2) enthusiastic, bordering on fanatical, media coverage and marketing; (3) profiteering by unscrupulous practitioners; and (4) governmental policies that permit and even encourage these practices. Many aspects of diabetology are targeted by DS/N-FF therapy and will be reviewed in this chapter. However, the important point to bear in mind is that DS/N-FF should only be recommended to patients when there is an acceptable level of scientific evidence favoring benefit greater than risk (recommendation grades A, B, or C), and 266when commercial products can be obtained that deliver accurate amounts of the intended ingredient without interfering or deleterious substances. Patients will undoubtedly inquire about DS/N-FF, and therefore physicians must be prepared with knowledge and a willingness to discuss the issues openly and plainly.
