Scientists are testing many different supplements to see if they help lower blood sugar levels.

These supplements could benefit people with prediabetes or diabetes, especially type 2.

Over time, taking a supplement in addition to diabetes medication may allow your doctor to reduce the dose of medication, although supplements are unlikely to replace medication completely.

Here are 10 natural products that can help lower blood sugar.


1. Cinnamon

Numerous studies suggest that it helps reduce blood sugar and improves diabetes control.

When people with prediabetes - that is, with a fasting blood sugar level of 100 to 125 mg/dl - took 250 mg of cinnamon extract before breakfast and dinner for three months, they experienced an 8.4% decrease in fasting blood sugar compared to those who took a placebo.

In another three-month study, people with type 2 diabetes who took 120 or 360 mg of cinnamon extract before breakfast experienced an 11% or 14% decrease in fasting blood glucose, respectively, compared to those taking a placebo.

In addition, their hemoglobin A1C - a three-month average of blood sugar levels - decreased by 0.67% or 0.92%, respectively. All participants took the same diabetes medication during the study.

How it works

Cinnamon can help the body's cells respond better to insulin.

In turn, this allows sugar to enter the cells, reducing the level of sugar in the blood.

Taking

The recommended dose of cinnamon extract is 250 mg twice a day before meals. For a regular cinnamon supplement (without extract), 500 mg twice a day may be preferable.

Precautions 

The common variety of Cassia cinnamon contains more coumarin, a compound that can damage the liver in large quantities. Ceylon cinnamon, on the other hand, has a low coumarin content.


2. American ginseng

American ginseng, a variety grown mainly in North America, has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels after meals by about 20% in healthy people and in those with type 2 diabetes.

In addition, when people with type 2 diabetes took 1 gram of American ginseng 40 minutes before breakfast, lunch, and dinner for two months while maintaining their usual treatment, their fasting blood glucose levels decreased by 10% compared to those who took a placebo.

How it works

 American ginseng can improve your cellular response and increase your body's insulin secretion.

How to take it

Take 1 gram up to two hours before each main meal - taking it earlier can make blood sugar drop too low. Daily doses above 3 grams do not seem to offer any additional benefit.

Precautions

 Ginseng may decrease the effectiveness of the anticoagulant warfarin, so this combination should be avoided. It can also boost your immune system, which could interfere with immunosuppressive medications.

Summary 

Taking up to 3 grams of American ginseng a day can help reduce blood sugar levels on an empty stomach and after meals. Keep in mind that ginseng can interact with warfarin and other medications.


3. Probiotics

Damage to intestinal bacteria, such as taking antibiotics, is associated with an increased risk of various diseases, including diabetes.

Probiotics, which contain beneficial bacteria or other microbes, offer many health benefits and can improve the body's management of carbohydrates.

In a review of seven studies of people with type 2 diabetes, those taking probiotics for at least two months had a 16 mg/dl decrease in fasting blood glucose and a 0.53% decrease in A1C compared to those taking placebo.

Those who took probiotics containing more than one species of bacteria had an even greater decrease in fasting blood glucose, 35 mg/dl.

How it works

 Animal studies suggest that probiotics can lower blood sugar by decreasing inflammation and preventing the destruction of pancreatic cells that produce insulin. Other mechanisms may also be involved.

How to  Take it 

Try a probiotic with more than one beneficial species, such as a combination of L. acidophilus, B. bifidum, and L. rhamnosus. It is not known whether there is an ideal mixture of microbes for diabetes.

Precautions

Probiotics are unlikely to cause harm, but in some rare circumstances, they could lead to serious infections in people with severely weakened immune systems.


4. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera can also help those who are trying to lower their blood sugar levels.

Supplements or juice from the leaves of this cactus-like plant can help reduce fasting blood sugar and A1C levels in people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

In a review of nine studies of people with type 2 diabetes, aloe supplementation for 4-14 weeks reduced fasting blood glucose by 46.6 mg/dl and A1C by 1.05%.

People who had fasting blood glucose levels above 200 mg/dl before taking aloe vera experienced even greater benefits.

How it works

Studies conducted on mice indicate that aloe vera can stimulate insulin production in pancreatic cells, but this has not been confirmed. Other mechanisms may be involved.

How much to take 

The best dosage and form is unknown. The usual doses tested in the studies include 1,000 mg per day in capsules or 2 tablespoons (30 ml) per day of aloe juice in divided doses.

Precautions

Aloe can interact with various medications, so consult your doctor before using it. It should never be taken with the heart medication digoxin.


5. Berberine

Used in herbal medicine for its many health benefits, berberine is a molecule from the alkaloid family, found naturally in certain plants such as barberry (Berberis vulgaris), goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis), or Mexican argemone (Argemone mexicana).

A review of 27 studies of people with type 2 diabetes found that taking berberine in combination with diet and lifestyle changes Reduces the level of glucose in the fasting blood by 15.5 mg / dL and reduces the proportion of A1C of 0.71% compared to a diet with lifestyle changes only or placebo.

The review also noted that berberine supplements taken with diabetes medication contributed more to lowering blood sugar than medication alone.

How it works

 Berberine can improve insulin sensitivity and improve the absorption of blood sugar in the muscles, which helps reduce blood sugar levels.

Taking

A typical dose is 300 to 500 mg taken 2 to 3 times a day with the main meals.

Precautions

Berberine can cause digestive problems, such as constipation, diarrhea or gas, which may improve with a lower dose (300 mg). Berberine can interact with various medications, so consult your doctor before taking this supplement.


6. Vitamin D

Among the most dangerous potential risk factors for type 2 diabetes, vitamin D deficiency can be considered.

In one study, 72% of participants with type 2 diabetes had a vitamin D deficiency at the start of the study.

After two months of daily supplementation with 4500 IU of vitamin D, fasting blood glucose and A1C levels improved. In fact, 48% of the participants had an A1C that showed good blood glucose control, compared to only 32% before the study.

How it works

 Vitamin D can improve the function of pancreatic cells that produce insulin and increase the body's responsiveness to insulin.

How to take it

 It is imperative that you ask your direct physician to run a vitamin D blood test to find out the best dose for you. The active form is D3 or cholecalciferol, so look for this name on supplement bottle labels.

Precautions 

Vitamin D can cause mild to moderate reactions with many types of medications, so you should ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Summary Vitamin D

  People with type 2 diabetes are deficient in vitamin D.

 Vitamin D supplementation can improve overall blood sugar control, as measured by the A1C. 


7. Gymnema

Gymnema Sylvestre is a medicinal herb used as a treatment for diabetes in the traditional medicine of India. The phrase “gurmar” means “sugar destroyer” in Hindi.

In one study, people with type 2 diabetes who took 400 mg of Gymnema leaf extract daily for 18 to 20 months experienced a 29% decrease in fasting blood sugar levels. The A1C dropped from 11.9% at the beginning of the study to 8.48%.

Other research suggests that this herb may help reduce fasting blood sugar and A1C in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes and may reduce cravings for sweets by suppressing the sweet taste sensation in the mouth.

How it works 

Gymnema Sylvestre can reduce the absorption of sugar in the intestine and promote the absorption of sugar by cells into the blood. Due to its impact on type 1 diabetes, it is suspected that Gymnema Sylvestre may somehow help the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.

Taking

The suggested dose is 200mg of Gymnema Sylvestre leaf extract twice a day with meals.

Precautions

 Gymnema Sylvestre may increase the effects of insulin on blood sugar levels, so it should be used only on the advice of a doctor if you are injecting insulin. It can also affect the blood levels of certain drugs, and liver damage has been reported.


8. Magnesium

Low levels of magnesium in the blood have been detected in 25-38% of people with type 2 diabetes and are more common in those with poor blood sugar control.

In a systematic review, 8 out of 12 studies reported that magnesium supplementation for 6-24 weeks in healthy people or in people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes helped reduce fasting blood glucose levels, compared to placebo.

In addition, each 50 mg increase in magnesium intake resulted in a 3% decrease in fasting blood glucose levels in those who entered the studies with low blood magnesium levels.

How it works

Magnesium is involved in the normal secretion of insulin and its action on the tissues of the body.

How to take it

 Dosages for people with diabetes are usually 250-350 mg per day. 

To improve the absorption of magnesium, be sure to take it with meals.

Precautions

Avoid magnesium oxide, which can increase the risk of diarrhea. Magnesium supplements can interact with many medications, such as diuretics and antibiotics, so consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking them.


9. Alpha-lipoic acid

Alpha-lipoic acid, or ALA, is a vitamin-like compound and a powerful antioxidant that is produced in the liver and is found in certain foods, such as spinach, broccoli, and red meat.

When people with type 2 diabetes took 300, 600, 900 or 1200 mg of ALA in addition to their usual diabetes treatment for six months, fasting blood glucose and A1C levels dropped further as the dose increased.

How it works

 ALA can improve insulin sensitivity and sugar uptake by cells in the blood, although it may take a few months for these effects to be noticed. 

Alpha lipoic acid can also protect against oxidative stress caused by high blood sugar.

Dosage

 Doses are usually 600 to 1200 mg per day, taken in divided doses before meals.

Precautions 

ALA may interfere with treatments for hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Avoid very high doses of ALA if you have a vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency or if you are struggling with alcoholism.


10. Chrome

Chromium deficiency reduces the body's ability to use carbohydrates - converted into sugar - as an energy source and increases insulin needs.

Several studies have shown that chromium supplementation reduced A1C by about 0.6% in people with type 2 diabetes, and the average decrease in fasting blood glucose was about 21 mg / dL, compared to a placebo.

A small amount of evidence suggests that chromium may also help reduce blood sugar levels in people with type 1 diabetes.

How it works

Chromium can enhance the effects of insulin or favor the activity of the pancreatic cells that produce it.

Taking 

A typical dose is 200 mcg per day, but doses of up to 1000 mcg per day have been tested in people with diabetes and may be more effective. The chromium picolinate form is probably better absorbed.

Precautions 

Some medications, such as antacids and others prescribed for heartburn, can reduce the absorption of chromium.


CONCLUSION



Many products - such as cinnamon, ginseng, other herbs, vitamin D, magnesium, probiotics, and plant compounds such as berberine - can help lower blood sugar.

Keep in mind that you may get different results than those found in the studies, depending on factors such as duration, quality of supplements, and your individual diabetes status.

Discuss supplements with your doctor, especially if you are taking medication or insulin for diabetes, as some of the supplements mentioned may interact with medication and increase the risk of blood sugar levels dropping too low.

In some cases, your doctor may need to reduce the dose of diabetes medication at some point.

Try only one new supplement at a time, and check your blood sugar level regularly to monitor for any changes over several months. This will help you and your doctor determine the impact.