The future of nutraceuticals in diabetes management

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common metabolic condition that can lead to many complications, including diabetic nephropathy (DN). Routine medical therapies for diabetes mellitus are ineffective and have numerous negative side effects. Furthermore, the global growth in the prevalence of diabetes leads researchers to investigate potential complementary or alternative treatments. Diabetes mellitus, one of the most dangerous noncommunicable illnesses, has long-term negative consequences for the healthcare system due to its microvascular and macrovascular symptoms, which can be fatal if not treated. Nutraceuticals, which combine natural materials with pharmaceutical agents, have a wide range of therapeutic characteristics for a variety of pathological disorders, including DN. However, the specific underlying mechanisms are not entirely understood. Nutraceuticals, on the other hand, are alternative therapeutic options for orally eaten natural food elements that can be used to treat a variety of ailments, including diabetes. Nutraceuticals have been clinically proven to be useful in avoiding a variety of illnesses, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney difficulties, due to their antioxidant properties and bioactive components. Several of these nutraceuticals contain flavonoids, a type of phytochemical. Cocoa, one of the flavanols used in diabetes treatment, offers an additional non-pharmaceutical intervention in diabetes management, thanks in part to its strong antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, flavonoids improve insulin resistance and sensitivity, dyslipidaemia, endothelial function, and blood pressure while decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation. As a result, they may be able to halt the advancement of diabetes’s long-term vascular complications, including cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy. This review will focus on the effects of nutraceuticals (as an alternative treatment) on diabetic-related micro- and macrovascular issues.