For example, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors have a high incidence of gastrointestinal side effects (e.g., abdominal distension and diarrhea) and thiazolidinediones may cause weight gain, limb fractures and even heart failure.[24,25] Acupuncture has potential benefits in efficacy and safety and is thus expected to be a promising complementary treatment for T2DM.[26] Previously, many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigated the effects of acupuncture on T2DM, but the results were inconsistent. Here, GAA is linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus.