Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNecessary Nutrients for DiabetesAlpha-Lipoic AcidChromiumCinnamonMagnesiumOmega-3 Fatty AcidsBerberineVitamin DAbout DiabetesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Necessary Nutrients for Diabetes
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Chromium
Cinnamon
Magnesium
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Berberine
Vitamin D
About Diabetes
Frequently Asked Questions
People with diabetes sometimes take vitamins, minerals, and herbs to help control blood sugar levels. And research suggests omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium may offer a protective benefit, lowering a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes. However, research on the benefits of many of these supplements is conflicting.
Dietary supplements are not recommended as replacements for diabetes medications, and some may cause potentially dangerous interactions. If you are living with diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider before taking any new vitamins, minerals, or herbs.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Important Nutrients for Diabetes
Keep in mind that the American Diabetes Association does not recommend the use of dietary supplements to manage or prevent diabetes.Supplements have not been proven to consistently lower blood sugar. The suggested approach for managing diabetes is more holistic, using the following:
With that in mind, here’s the latest evidence about the uses and side effects of supplements often touted for diabetes.
Black female taking medication at her home in the living room.PixelsEffect / Getty Images
PixelsEffect / Getty Images
Alpha-lipoic acidis a fatty acid that acts as anantioxidant.It has been studied for diabetes and its complications, such as:
But so far, there’s little evidence it helps.
An extensive review of 10 studies concluded that alpha-lipoic acid didnotlower the following in people withtype 2 diabetesany more than a placebo (sugar pill):
A clinical trial of people withtype 1 diabetesfound no difference inhemoglobin A1c(a measurement of blood sugar control over the past few months) from alpha-lipoic acid vs. a placebo.
The evidence of alpha-lipoic acid’s effects on neuropathy is mixed.
A systematic review reported that three of eight trials studied showed symptom improvement for those taking the supplement, while the other five trials didn’t show improvement.
There is no evidence that alpha-lipoic acid helps with nephropathyor macular edema.
Safety and Precautions
At normal doses, alpha-lipoic acid is considered safe, even for people with heart disease, diabetes, and neurological conditions.
Side effects that may occur with this supplement include the following:
Chromiumis a trace element found in foods like meat, grains, and produce.
It may enhance the effects of insulin and help break down sugars, but more research is needed to know for sure.
The evidence for chromium’s effects on diabetes is mixed.
One review of 10 studies concluded that chromium supplementation modestly improved hemoglobin A1c levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Chromium did not improve fasting blood sugar or cholesterol levels.
AIs for chromium in adults are 25 micrograms (mcg) per day in females and 35 mcg in females. AIs drop to 30 mcg during pregnancy but increase to 45 mcg during breastfeeding.
Taking chromium with insulin ormetformintogether may causehypoglycemia(low blood sugar).
Watch for signs of hypoglycemia, such as the following:
Chromium may also cause the following side effects, according to case reports:
The popular spicecinnamonhas been studied in people withprediabetesand type 2 diabetes for its effects on:
According to an analysis of 16 clinical trials, cinnamon supplements lowered fasting blood sugar and insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes (high blood sugar levels not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes).
However, researchers noted that more robust trials are needed because the existing ones have a lot of variability.
Other extensive reviews have shown that cinnamon significantly reduced blood pressureand cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes, including:
More research is needed to determine the effects of cinnamon in people with type 1 diabetes.
Cinnamon is safe for most people at doses below 6 grams (g) daily.
However, there have been reports of high coumarin levels in species like cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia).Adverse effects of too much coumarin over time can include the following:
True cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), also known as Ceylon or Sri Lankan Cinnamon, tends to have lower levels of coumarin.
Other effects to be aware of include:
Higher levels of the mineralmagnesiumin the body are associated with a lower risk of diabetes.
Magnesium lowered blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, according to a large systematic review of clinical trials.
It also improved insulin sensitivity in people at risk of developing diabetes. Conditions that increasetype 2 diabetes riskinclude the following:
Magnesium supplements are available in lots of different formulations, butmagnesium oxidehas been studied the most in clinical trials for diabetes.
The RDA for magnesium in adults is 310 mg for females and 400 mg for males.This amount increases slightly as you age. Limit magnesium doses to 350 milligrams (mg) daily.
You may be getting magnesium from your food, including fortified products like cereals.
At higher doses, magnesium supplements are associated with the following common side effects:
Daily doses of more than 5,000 mg may cause toxicity. Watch for warning signs like the following:
The evidence for usingomega-3 fatty acidsfor diabetes is mixed.
One review of 30 studies determined that omega-3 fatty acids helped decrease blood sugar and insulin resistance (when cells don’t respond well to insulin, can’t easily take up glucose from the blood, and require more insulin).
Results from another, smaller review suggest that eating more omega-3 fatty acids helped protect against type 2 diabetes.
On the other hand, an analysis of 46 clinical trials showed that omega-3 fatty acids had no significant effects on blood sugar or insulin resistance.
In people with type 2 diabetes, omega-3 fatty acids did improve levels of the following:
Adequate Intakes (AIs) for omega-3s in adults are 1.6 g for males and 1.1 g for females, slightly increasing during pregnancy.If you regularly eat fish or nuts, you may get adequate omega-3s. Omega-3s can also be found in fortified foods like eggs, yogurt and milk, juices, cereals, and more.
Omega-3 fatty acids don’t typically cause severe side effects. However, high levels (over four grams per day) of omega-3s have modestly increased the risk of atrial fibrillation in people with, or at risk for, cardiovascular disease.
Omega-3s may cause mild gastrointestinal effects like the following:
Berberineis an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine (the ancient medicine system of India) to help lower blood sugar and cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes.
A review of 46 clinical trials demonstrated that berberine, with or withoutstandard diabetes medicines, improved the following measurements related to diabetes control:
Effects were greater for berberine plus standard diabetes medicine, but even berberine alone showed modest benefits on hemoglobin A1c and fasting blood sugar levels.
BMI is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such asbody composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age. Even though it is abiased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because it’s an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a person’s potential health status and outcomes.
Berberine should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding as it may causejaundiceor brain damage in infants who are exposed to it.
Side effects of berberine include constipation and diarrhea.
Vitamin Dis made in the body from sunlight’s ultraviolet rays.
Research shows that getting enough vitamin D may help prevent both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Supplementing withvitamin D3(cholecalciferol) 2,000 international units (IU) daily can be helpful in managing or preventing type 1 diabetes.
Taking at least 1,000 IU daily for a year or more significantly lowered the odds of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a review of nine clinical trials.
Interestingly, lower doses of vitamin D had no effect on diabetes risk.
The normal Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin D for adults is 600 IU or 15 mcg.
You may be getting additional vitamin D from your food, including special fortified products like:
You can also get adequate vitamin D from sun exposure. However, the following factors can make getting enough vitamin D from sunlight challenging:
Supplementation is a viable option in these cases.
However, note that high doses of vitamin D from supplements can cause the following side effects:
Discuss plans to supplement with your healthcare provider or RDN.
If it’s not well controlled, diabetes can decrease quality of life and cause seriouscomplications, including the following:
Typically, management involves both lifestyle modifications (like exercise and a healthy diet) and medications (like insulin or other prescription medications).
Some dietary supplements may cause kidney damage, which people with diabetes are particularly susceptible to. If you have kidney disease, be especially careful about using supplements to help manage your blood sugar.
Ultimately, a supplement is not a good substitute for diabetes medications that are proven to be safe and effective.
If you have diabetes or are trying to prevent it, it’s important to discuss the use of any supplement with your healthcare provider in order to optimize your health goals.
Summary
So far, there’s some evidence that dietary supplements like cinnamon, berberine, and vitamin D may improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes. These are not substitutes for FDA-approved diabetes medications, though.
A healthy diet is essential in preventing and managing diabetes and its complications. A low-fat, high-fiber diet like theMediterranean dietcan help prevent type 2 diabetes.
Low-carbohydrate and vegan diets have also modestly improved blood sugar levels.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIf you have low magnesium or vitamin D levels, taking those supplements may help cut your risk of developing diabetes.There’s some evidence that berberine, cinnamon, and omega-3 fatty acids can benefit people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes (high blood sugar levels not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes).Though more research is needed, cinnamon has been shown to lower blood sugar and insulin resistance in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.Yes. For example, chromium can interact with insulin and other diabetes medicines to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).And omega-3 fatty acids may increase the effects of blood thinners likeJantoven (warfarin)and cause excess bleeding.To optimize safety and minimize side effects, discuss the use of any supplements you plan to take with your healthcare provider or pharmacist, who can screen for drug interactions with your current list of medications.
If you have low magnesium or vitamin D levels, taking those supplements may help cut your risk of developing diabetes.There’s some evidence that berberine, cinnamon, and omega-3 fatty acids can benefit people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes (high blood sugar levels not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes).
If you have low magnesium or vitamin D levels, taking those supplements may help cut your risk of developing diabetes.
There’s some evidence that berberine, cinnamon, and omega-3 fatty acids can benefit people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes (high blood sugar levels not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes).
Though more research is needed, cinnamon has been shown to lower blood sugar and insulin resistance in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Yes. For example, chromium can interact with insulin and other diabetes medicines to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).And omega-3 fatty acids may increase the effects of blood thinners likeJantoven (warfarin)and cause excess bleeding.To optimize safety and minimize side effects, discuss the use of any supplements you plan to take with your healthcare provider or pharmacist, who can screen for drug interactions with your current list of medications.
Yes. For example, chromium can interact with insulin and other diabetes medicines to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).And omega-3 fatty acids may increase the effects of blood thinners likeJantoven (warfarin)and cause excess bleeding.
To optimize safety and minimize side effects, discuss the use of any supplements you plan to take with your healthcare provider or pharmacist, who can screen for drug interactions with your current list of medications.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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