Vitamins and minerals are essential for good health, and one should follow a proper diet to ensure they’re getting the nutrition they need. Herbs and supplements can help fill in the gaps by providing extra nutrients to keep the body healthy.
However, one should never use supplements as a substitute for standard diabetes treatment. Doing so can cause severe health problems.
Just because a product is natural does not mean it is safe to use. Some supplements can interfere with other treatments and medications, so be sure to consult with a doctor first.
Having said that, below are some supplements that researchers have found helpful in treating diabetes:
Cinnamon
For centuries, Chinese medicine has used cinnamon to treat ailments. Studies have shown that cinnamon (in whole or extract form) can help lower blood sugar levels.
Alpha-lipoic acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant that can reduce oxidative stress and lower fasting blood sugar levels. However, ALA can also potentially lower blood sugar to dangerous levels when taken in high doses.
Green tea
Green tea has a compound called polyphenols, which are antioxidants. The main antioxidant in green tea is known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Studies have shown that EGCG may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, prevent type 2 diabetes, boost glucose control, and improve insulin activity.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that is essential for good health. It helps maintain normal blood pressure and regulates the body’s sensitivity to insulin. People with diabetes may benefit from taking magnesium supplements, which have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity. Studies have also shown that people with higher magnesium intakes tend to have lower insulin resistance rates and diabetes.
Chromium
Chromium helps the body metabolize carbohydrates. Researchers have found that taking low doses of chromium for a long time could be safe for most people. But high doses of chromium have the potential to damage the kidneys.
Bitter melon
Bitter melon, a fruit used in many Asian and South American countries to treat diabetes-related conditions, has been found to be effective in animal and lab studies. However, human clinical studies are limited and not of high quality. Therefore, it’s effectiveness cannot be ascertained.
