Affinity's website calls “Satellites” an “on-demand publication service”. It says that “approved content is supplied by the sponsor, with editorial management and production undertaken by BMJ Group editorial staff”. It adds that “Satellites are not peer-reviewed by BMJ Group”. This policy seems problematic when it concerns a supplement that contains an Introduction (which misleadingly states that “the articles…represent the current state of the art in the pharmacological management of OA [osteoarthritis]”), together with three articles, two of which are dedicated largely to the subject of nitric oxide in inflammation and naproxcinod as an “attractive alternative” to existing therapies. It is even more problematic when naproxcinod is undergoing FDA review at the same time as the publication and wide distribution of this non-peer-reviewed supplement.

Natural Standard research articles on medical conditions will be published regularly in the journal Alternative and Complementary Therapies.

Each article begins with a general overview of the medical condition, followed by integrative therapy options. The therapies are organized based on their evidence of effectiveness.

The upcoming issue features Diabetes: An Integrative Approach. Diabetes is a long-term condition that is characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or the body does not respond properly to insulin (type 2 diabetes). Symptoms typically include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, excessive thirst and urination, poor wound healing, infections and vision problems. Long-term complications of diabetes may include heart and blood vessel disease, nerve damage (called diabetic neuropathy), kidney damage (called diabetic nephropathy), eye damage and foot ulcers.

The review article discusses various therapeutic options, including alpha-lipoic acid, beta-glucan, chromium, ginseng, gymnema and stevia.

Alternative and Complementary Therapies, published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., provides the latest information on alternative therapies and how to integrate them into clinical practice. Topics include: botanical medicine, vitamins and supplements, nutrition and diet, mind-body medicine, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, indigenous medicine systems, homeopathy, naturopathy, yoga, meditation, manual therapies, energy medicine and the effect of spirituality on health.

Natural Standard subscribers can receive a 20 percent discount on the journal by entering the discount code "natural" at checkout. To learn more about the journal and to subscribe, please visit www.liebertpub.com.

For more information about integrative therapies for diabetes, please visit Natural Standard's Comparative Effectiveness database.