Konjac-mannan and American ginsing: Emerging alternative therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus - Discussion

摘要

Dr. John J. Cunningham. The presentations in this initial session provide ample documentation of the potential for nutrient-based interventions to ameliorate the pathologies associated with several chronic diseases. The important and recurring theme is that evidence is not the plural of anecdote. Intervention trials based on mechanistic hypotheses and published in peer reviewed journals set the standard by which efficacy is clearly established. Additionally, nutrient interventions are acknowledged to be complementary to medical treatments rather than competitive with effective medicines or pharmaceuticals. The image has been one of George and Rodney as noted in the opening remarks for this conference. Our adherence to scientific rigor and standards together with providing clear advice to our constituents will bring us to a future identity as "the twins". Considerations such as availability, patient acceptance, and cost could favor a single supplement or functional food approach over a prescribed medicine, even when both approaches are equally safe.