


CHROMIUM VANADIUM DIABETES FREE
As an antioxidant, it protects against cell damage caused by free radicals.

"Glucosamine is important for the repair and maintenance of healthy cartilage in joints, but taking it in an oral form may not get it to where it needs to be in an amount that will do any real good," she says.Īlpha-Lipoic Acid Also known as ALA, lipoic acid, and thioctic acid, this substance is similar to a vitamin. Evidence in its favor is only anecdotal, meaning that some people report that it helps them, Weiner says. Glucosamine No research shows that glucosamine is helpful for people with diabetes, Tipton says. "In research done with animal cells, these minerals have been able to replace insulin." But later research showed it had no effect on blood sugar levels. "Vanadium, along with its heavier cousins, molybdenum and tungsten, can mimic insulin," Weiner says. In the 1980s, research first showed it could lower blood sugars. Vanadium Like chromium, vanadium is also a trace mineral. Fish oil can also interfere with blood-thinning and blood-pressure drugs. Additional research, particularly long-term studies that look specifically at heart disease in people with diabetes, is needed.

In some studies, omega-3 fatty acids also raised LDL ("bad") cholesterol. In addition, the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore notes that omega-3 fatty acids from fish act to raise HDL ("good") cholesterol in people with diabetes, while omega-3s from flaxseed oil may yield the same benefit. A review published in October 2015 in the journal PloS One showed that omega-3 fatty acids lower triglycerides but do not affect blood glucose control or total cholesterol. Omega-3 supplements are available as capsules or oils. Omega-3 Fatty Acids These come from foods such as fish, some vegetable oils (canola and soybean), walnuts, and wheat germ. Good food sources of magnesium include pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews, halibut, tuna, spinach, and oat bran. Note that taking too much magnesium causes diarrhea - be sure to speak with your doctor before taking it, or any kind of supplement. "If a blood test shows that magnesium levels are low, a supplement might be helpful," says Susan Weiner, RDN, a certified diabetes educator in Merrick, New York and author of Diabetes: 365 Tips for Living Well. People with diabetes tend to be low in magnesium, which is linked to lowered insulin production and more insulin insensitivity. Magnesium This metal is essential for healthy bones, muscle function, normal blood pressure, and proper heart rhythm. At low doses, its use appears safe for most people and may be of some help but taken over long periods, chromium can cause side effects that include kidney issues - already a problem for some people with diabetes. "People were excited about chromium about 20 years ago," Dr. As a supplement, it is sold as chromium picolinate, chromium chloride, and chromium nicotinate. It is naturally occurring in meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, spices, and whole-wheat and rye breads. Here's a look at nine dietary supplements that are commonly used by people with type 2 diabetes:Ĭhromium A metal and an essential trace mineral, this is thought to help reduce blood sugar levels. If you're taking or considering taking a supplement, telling your doctor is a must because some supplements can interfere with diabetes or other drugs, such as blood thinners. Supplements for Type 2 Diabetes: A Closer Look While you shouldn't use supplements to replace your diabetes medication, research on some of them does suggest that they can help with type 2 diabetes management. Chen, MD, an internist and founder of Making Healthy EZ, an integrative health clinic in San Jose, California. So is all that money going to good use? "There are some indications that some supplements may be helpful, but there's nothing definitive," says Julie T. "I think it's bigger than the pharmacy business, if you add it all up," says Jeffrey Tipton, DO, MPH, vice president and medical director at AppleCare Medical Management in Los Angeles. In fact, the amount of money spent on dietary supplements could be staggering. Of the 29.1 million Americans with diabetes, as many as 31 percent use complementary or alternative medicines, including supplements, to help manage their condition.
