Fact Check: Acupressure for diabetes management? Experts warn
Reversing or controlling diabetes require medial, nutrition and fitness routines as per experts who warn of unscientific suggestions
By Neelambaran A Published on 14 Nov 2024 1:33 PM GMT
Claim: Wearing an acupressure clip between the thumb and index finger can reverse diabetes within 15 to 25 days
Fact: The claim is misleading. While it is possible to reverse a personās diabetes in their early stages, a large section requires continuous medication, dietary control, and physical activity to balance their sugar levels
Fact Check:
Newsmeter found the claims to be misleading, as experts in the medical field point out that there is no scientific evidence to prove this acupressure clip has helped diabetic patients.
āWe live in a time of evidence-based medicine, with extensive research going on in the field of diabetes. There is no scientific evidence mentioned anywhere in international or national literature about such devices lowering blood sugar as claimed in the video,ā said Dr. Krishna Kumar T V, Consultant General Physician & Diabetologist, Kamineni Hospitals, King Koti.
Several experts have pointed to continuous medications, dietary practices, healthy lifestyle and exercise for controlling and reversing diabetes at the early stages.
āSuch videos claiming reversal of diabetes are completely misleading, and harmful to people with diabetes if they discontinue their regular treatment plan by depending on such devices,ā Dr Kumar warned.
While experts strongly advocate modern medicines for a sustained cure and healthy life, several such devices are for sale in e-commerce platforms without any regulation.
A study published in 2021 had revealed that acupressure helped reduce the fasting blood sugar level, but did not have any impact on the Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ā the average blood sugar level measured over two to three months.
āMore stringent regulation is needed to control such unscientific propaganda. Diabetes reversal could be possible in the early stages of diabetes by following a structured diet and exercise plan, which involves supervision by a team of people like a physician with diabetes management expertise, a nutritionist, and a physical fitness trainer,ā Dr. Kumar added.
