Managing blood sugar is essential for those with diabetes or prediabetes. Dietary supplements are gaining popularity in addition to more conventional methods of controlling blood sugar, such as modifying one's lifestyle and using medicine. This is because many people believe that supplements are natural and affordable.
The potential advantages and disadvantages of natural supplements that promise to decrease blood sugar are covered in this article.
What Does Blood Sugar Mean?
According to Rekha B. Kumar, M.D., a New York City-based endocrinologist and the chief medical officer at Found, a weight control program, when you consume carbohydrates, glucose (or sugar) is released into your body and gives your cells energy. To retain energy and keep other bodily systems functioning properly, it's crucial to keep blood sugar levels regulated.
The pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which aids in controlling blood sugar levels. Dr. Kumar goes on to say that type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune illness, is brought on by insufficient insulin production, but type 2 diabetes is brought on by the body's inadequate reaction to insulin.
Prediabetes is a disorder where cells don't react to insulin appropriately, causing blood sugar levels to be higher than normal but not quite high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
Expert-Recommended Supplements for Blood Sugar Control
Although some studies suggest that supplements may have favorable impacts on blood sugar, our experts concur that supplements should be used in addition to prescription drugs, a healthy diet, and exercise. "It may be helpful to view supplements as part of the toolkit but not necessarily a treatment on their own," says Dr. Kumar.
Before incorporating a supplement into your routine, speaking with your doctor is also a good idea.
Cinnamon
"Cinnamon is a spice derived from the inner bark of trees belonging to the Cinnamomum genus," explains Amy Beney, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist at Nutrition Insights, a private nutrition practice in Lockport, New York.
Advantages:
According to Beney, cinnamon may improve insulin sensitivity, or how effectively the body reacts to insulin.
In Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, published in 2019, Dr. Kumar references a meta-analysis and meta-regression that demonstrates how cinnamon, when compared to a placebo, dramatically lowers fasting blood sugar and HOMA-IR scores in persons with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. More research is required, the researchers note, nevertheless.
Pros:
Beney advises against using cinnamon because some people may be allergic to it. Hives, breathing problems, and neck swelling are just a few of the possible reactions. Gas and indigestion are potential side effects of cinnamon use. Ingesting excessive amounts of cinnamon may potentially exacerbate or start liver disease.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a succulent plant that has been used for medical purposes for ages, despite not being frequently associated with blood sugar control, according to Beney. Aloe vera supplements are available as pills or capsules and are made out of concentrated aloe vera extract or gel.
Pros:
Aloe vera's impact on people with diabetes and prediabetes was studied in a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacognosy Research in 2022. According to the study, aloe vera may lower fasting blood sugar levels, with the impact being more pronounced in male participants and people with a body mass index under 30. The outcomes, however, varied widely, making it impossible to demonstrate a connection between dosage and response. To put it another way, the study didn't discover a direct connection between the quantity of aloe vera a person ingested and how effectively it worked. More studies with rigorous designs and uniform aloe vera preparation are required.
Warnings:
According to Beney, excessive use of low-quality aloe vera products might cause gastrointestinal problems and electrolyte imbalances. "Some medications, including those for diabetes, may interact with aloe vera." Before including aloe vera in your diabetes routine, it's crucial to discuss it with your doctor due to this potential interaction.
Vitamin D
"Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally produced in our bodies in response to direct sunlight," explains Jana Davis, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist at Carolina Green Living, a nutrition private practice in South Carolina. It can also be found in supplements and foods. It's interesting to note that new research has connected low vitamin D levels to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Because increased inflammation increases the risk of developing insulin resistance, researchers think this association may be caused by vitamin D's capacity to reduce inflammation.
Pros:
According to Dr. Kumar and Davis, vitamin D supplementation may help persons with type 2 diabetes and vitamin D deficiency reduce their fasting blood sugar, HbA1c (a three-month blood sugar average), and HOMA-IR scores (a marker of insulin resistance). Both mention a comprehensive study and meta-analysis published in 2023 in BMC Endocrine Disorders that shows these advantages. The impact was especially pronounced when high dosages of vitamin D were given over a brief period of time.
Warning:
Some drugs, such as statins, may interact with vitamin D supplements. High blood calcium levels brought on by excessive supplementation might result in symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and kidney stones.
Magnesium
According to Davis, magnesium is a mineral that is involved in over 300 biological processes, and proper magnesium intake is essential for vitamin D metabolism.
Pros:
According to a comprehensive review and meta-analysis published in Nutrients in 2021, magnesium supplements can lower blood sugar levels in persons who have diabetes or are at risk of developing it. The study also revealed that taking extra magnesium enhanced insulin sensitivity. Researchers highlight that additional trials with a longer follow-up are required to validate these results.
Warning:
Taking magnesium supplements on an empty stomach could result in stomach pain. Davis suggests taking magnesium with food to reduce this. Additionally, some drugs, such as antibiotics, can interfere with magnesium supplements.
Berberine
"Berberine is a natural compound found in several plant species, such as Berberis and Coptis," claims Beney. "It has a long history of use in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines," frequently for infection and inflammation.
Pros:
Berberine was found to have a number of advantageous effects on people with type 2 diabetes in a systematic review and meta-analysis published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity in 2021. A significant reduction in HbA1c levels was seen in the berberine-treated groups when compared to the control group and the groups treated with berberine alone or in conjunction with conventional diabetic therapy. Additionally, berberine had favorable effects on inflammation, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism. The generalizability of these findings to a larger population was constrained by the review's limitations.
Warning:
A meal should be had with berberine supplements to help reduce any potential gastrointestinal side effects, advises Beney. She continues by mentioning potential interactions with drugs used to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Berberine can also interact with metformin and raise the risk of bleeding. Before using a berberine supplement, it is crucial to discuss any potential interactions with your doctor.
Chromium
"Chromium is a trace mineral that plays a role in insulin action and glucose metabolism," claims Beney. Foods like meats, cereals, fruits, and vegetables all contain chromium. According to Beney, it is also available as a supplement in the forms of chromium picinolate and chromium polynicotate.
Pros:
The effects of chromium supplementation in individuals with type 2 diabetes were examined in a 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Pharmacological Research. Fasting blood sugar, insulin, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR values all significantly decreased as a result. However, chromium supplementation only significantly decreased HbA1c in persons with type 2 diabetes in a comprehensive review and meta-analysis published in Biological Trace Element Research in 2022; it had no positive impact on fasting blood sugar or blood lipid levels.
Precaution:
The long-term safety of chromium supplementation hasn't been well investigated, according to Beney. Chromium supplementation may have negative effects, such as weight loss, anemia, and liver failure, according to isolated case studies. Some drugs, such as levothyroxine (used to treat hypothyroidism) and diabetes medications, may interact with chromium supplements.
Beney advises choosing a brand that complies with the Food and Drug Administration's current good manufacturing standards (cGMP) and seeing your doctor before taking a supplement because supplements don't undergo the same rigorous testing that drugs do. Always adhere to the manufacturer's instructions. Additionally, stop using immediately and consult a doctor if you develop any negative side effects.
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