This article found on everydayhealth.com, by Sara Calabro, provides a quick overview of alternative therapies and treatments considered for type 2 diabetes.

Acupuncture.  Although evidence is limited to support acupuncture as an effective method for controlling blood sugar or glucose, this ancient form of Chinese medicine has been shown to help with weight management, a key component to reducing the risks of diabetes.  Initial studies suggest that traditional manual acupuncture as well as electroacupuncture, in which needles are used to direct weak electrical currents to pressure points, and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation, wherein needles are used to apply pressure but are not inserted into the skin, may effectively help to control appetite in overweight individuals.

Vitamins.  Dr. Jianping Ye, a professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, LA, recommends that people with type 2 diabetes take a multivitamin to meet the daily demands of the body.  In particular, diabetics should make sure they are getting enough calcium and vitamin D.  "Patients with diabetes may lose calcium quickly, which causes bones to lose density and fracture easily. So it is important to eat enough calcium and vitamin D, or take supplements," Ye says.

Massage.  People with type 2 diabetes may benefit from professional or self-administered massage.  Besides helping to reduce stress, some studies suggest that massage can help normalize blood glucose levels and help with symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, but more research is needed in this area.

Berberine.  This plant alkaloid is a widely used herbal remedy in China for improving insulin sensitivity.  "If you combine it with prescription diabetes drugs, it may enhance therapeutic effects and reduce side effects," says Ye.  In the United States, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is currently funding research on berberine.  Keep in mind that all herbal medicines should be used cautiously and under the supervision of a CAM specialist.

Resveratrol.  An emerging natural therapy for type 2 diabetes is resveratrol, a substance found in the skin and seeds of red grapes.  Resveratrol is found in red wine, which has recently been touted as being good for heart health.  Now researchers are looking at Resveratrol for preventing obesity and type 2 diabetes.  The practical benefits of resveratrol for diabetes are still being debated, though, because it was used at such high doses in many of the preliminary studies.