Benefits Of Aloe Vera For Diabetes

Aloe vera is a succulent plant that belongs to the lily family. Reported in the "British Journal of General Practice" aloe vera consists of greater than 99 percent water with the remaining less than one percent consisting of over 75 different constituents including vitamins A, C, and F, chromium, iron, magnesium, carbohydrates, amino acids, phenolic compounds, sterols and salicylic acid. Some evidence suggests that orally administered aloe vera gel reduces blood glucose and lipid levels in diabetics. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports the Food and Drug Administration has approved aloe vera as a natural food flavoring, but there is not enough evidence to support its medical use.

Lowers Glucose

The only study that analyzed the anti-diabetic effects of aloe vera in humans was published in "Phytomedicine" in 1996. This study reported that 1 tbsp. of aloe vera gel per day lowered blood glucose levels in diabetic women. The most recent study on aloe vera was published in the September 2009 issue of "Phytomedicine" and was conducted in diabetic mice, not humans. This study found that orally administered aloe vera gel significantly reduced blood glucose levels in diabetic mice. Several other studies in animals have also found that aloe vera gel lowers blood glucose levels in diabetic animals. There are no human clinical studies and a paucity of human studies that provide evidence for the therapeutic effects of aloe vera for the treatment of diabetes.

Lowers Lipids

In the same human study published in the 1996 "Phytomedicine," aloe vera gel lowered cholesterol and lipid levels in diabetic women. A few studies conducted in animals also demonstrate aloe vera gel decreases lipid levels.

No Side Effects

No adverse effects of aloe vera have been reported. However, diabetics on other glucose-lowering drugs should be cautious of using additional agents to lower blood glucose because of the potential risk of hypoglycemia.

ADA Endorsement

The American Diabetes Association has not issued a formal statement on the therapeutic benefits of aloe vera for the treatment of diabetes. However, a study published by the American Diabetes Association in the April 2003 issue of "Diabetes Care," reviewed the effectiveness of 36 different plant remedies and nine vitamin and mineral supplements in 108 human trials for the treatment of diabetes. The authors of this study concluded that positive preliminary results were observed with aloe vera, among other plant remedies and that the results warrant further study.