Fond du Lac Diabetes Program

Herbals - Help or Harm?

Many herbal remedies have medicinal qualities. Because they’re made from herbs they seem safe. Like prescription medicine, they may offer either positive health benefits or harmful side effects. The problem is—there’s little scientific information about most herbal remedies.

Herbal remedies, unlike prescription medications aren’t well regulated. According to current regulations, herbal remedies can enter the marketplace without approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - and without years of safety testing. Only those known to be truly dangerous are prohibited. The dosages of herbal remedies aren’t currently standardized, so dosages vary.

One of our patients at Min-No-Aya-Win recently took the herb black cohosh for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Her blood sugars increased significantly and her liver enzymes were elevated while on the herb. Both normalized when she stopped taking it. The National Center For Complementary And Alternative Medicine is funding a rigorous scientific study to determine whether treatment with black cohosh reduces the frequency and intensity of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Although few adverse events have been reported, long-term safety data are not available.

We recommend protecting yourself by following some guidelines:

Check with your medical provider before taking any herbal remedy or other dietary supplement. Decide together if it’s safe and appropriate or if other known treatments would yield safe, effective results.

Remember that herbal remedies may interfere with your medications. The combination could make your medication ineffective, or together they may create a harmful side effect.

If you’re pregnant (or trying to get pregnant) or breast-feeding, avoid herbal remedies unless your doctor gives them an OK. Substances in these remedies may pass to your baby. These products aren’t meant for children either.

If an herbal product seems to cause any negative side effects, stop taking it and contact your provider right away.

Source: The American Dietetic Association’s Complete Food & Nutrition Guide, 1998

Did you know...?

October is -
Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Perform a breast self-exam each month.

National Dental Hygiene Month. Don’t wait until dental problems occur. Protect yourself for a lifetime with preventive dental care every 6 months. Daily flossing will help prevent tooth decay.

A good time to rake leaves. An hour of raking leaves can help you burn approximately 210 calories.

November is -
American Diabetes Month. See our education opportunities in next article.

Native American Heritage Month. Native Americans have the highest incidence of diabetes compared to any other ethnic population in the U.S.

Diabetic Eye Month. A dilated eye exam is needed every year.

November 15th is the Great American Smokeout. For more information on smoking cessation, contact Nate Sandman at 879-1227.

More than 130,000 U.S. children have diabetes. Type 2 diabetes has increased ten-fold among children ages 10-14 during the past decade. You can help your kids beat the odds of developing diabetes by providing healthy meals and encouraging them to stay active.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone with diabetes get a flu shot every year.

Source: 2003 Day-by-Day Diabetes Calendar

During American Diabetes Month
spend some time getting educated

Diabetes education may be the most important schooling of your life. Only about half of all people with diabetes have attended a diabetes education class. Even if you have attended classes in the past, new knowledge can be gained by attending again.

A variety of education opportunities are available at Fond du Lac clinics:

Individual diabetes education appointments with a Certified Diabetes Educator or a Registered Dietitian are offered at Min-No-Aya-Win and CAIR.
Diabetes Clinic is offered at Min-No-Aya-Win. Diabetes Clinic meets most of your needs in one day including education, lab, medical provider visit and shoes.
The Mino Aya Ode (Healthy Heart) Program classes are open to everyone. See the dates on the On The Move schedule by clicking on the link to the left.
Read our newsletter Living In Balance that is published 6 times a year.

IF YOU COME IN FOR DIABETES EDUCATION OR CLINIC...YOU’LL RECEIVE A FREE 2004 DAY-BY-DAY DIABETES CALENDAR (while supplies last)!

Call the medical desk 879-1227 (MNAW) or 726-1370 (CAIR) to schedule an appointment today.