A possible role for food-based citrus bioactive compounds in bridging the gap between prevalence of diabetes and the effectiveness of current treatments

The conventional “one-size-fits-all” approach to treating and managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has proven challenging. T2DM is a complex, heterogeneous disease and frequently coexists with other conditions like hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia, further complicating treatment decisions and outcomes. While advances in diabetes medications have been made, traditional treatment algorithms often focus on broad glycemic targets, neglecting the diverse needs of patients with different risk profiles associated with ethnicity, comorbidities, and preferences. Complex treatment regimens involving multiple medications and lifestyle changes can be challenging for patients, resulting in suboptimal outcomes and failure to achieve optimal glycemic targets. Therefore, revisiting existing treatment algorithms for diabetes management and the development of synergistic treatment modalities that may slow or prevent diabetes progression are warranted.

This mini review highlights the challenges of mitigating the prevalence of diabetes in at-risk populations and proposes incorporating non-therapeutic interventions such as Integrative Health Products (IHPs). IHPs encompass nutritional bioactives, functional foods, dietary supplements, and botanical compounds that may synergistically complement conventional medical treatments to optimize health and achieve glycemic targets.