Book excerpt: The definitive guide to dietary supplements and diabetes for health care professionals. Nearly 27 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes and a quarter of them report that they have used complementary and alternative medicines (now called complementary health approaches by the National Institutes of Health) to treat their diabetes or for general wellness. In this reality, clinicians need to understand potential complications, know the research, and be prepared to guide their patients and answer their questions about supplements and alternative medicines. This fully updated and expanded guide gives providers the information they need to guide patients and provide them with evidence-based advice on supplement use. Inside readers will find detailed research summaries of 38 common botanical and nonbotanical supplements, including honey, probiotics, turmeric, zinc, and many more. Each product chapter includes information on chemical constituents, theorized mechanism of action, adverse effects, drug interactions, and a summary of clinical studies. Stay informed and be prepared to help patients make wise choices and improve their diabetes self-management. -- American Diabetes Association