Many people with high blood sugar levels are looking for ways to control it. While changing your diet or incorporating more exercise can help, there are also many supplements that can help. Common examples include vitamin D, cinnamon, magnesium, and other herbs, such as ginseng and berberine. Aloe vera is particularly useful for lowering blood sugar levels in people with prediabetes.
It comes in the form of juice that is ingested by mouth. It can also come in a topical gel that is applied to the skin and is even found in shampoos and soaps, but the oral form is what has been studied as a way to regulate blood sugar. When consuming aloe orally, it is best to choose products made only with the inner part of the leaf or fillet, to avoid any laxative effect. Research has shown that aloe vera extracts can cause intestinal cancer, so it is important to consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions about aloe vera or any other supplement before using it.
Cinnamon is made from the bark of the cinnamon tree and is an extract or powder of whole cinnamon in its supplement form. The research examined the impact of three daily doses of 500 milligrams (mg) of cinnamon for 12 weeks, and surveyed 54 participants. All had prediabetes, 27 received the supplement and the rest received a placebo. People who received the placebo had a higher blood sugar level after a period of overnight fasting, while levels remained stable in people who took the supplement.
Those who received cinnamon also had an improved ability to metabolize sugar. The recommended dose of cinnamon extract is 250 mg twice daily before each meal. Cinnamon-based supplements without extract have a recommended dose of 500 mg twice daily. Cassia cinnamon is the most studied and may have blood sugar control effects, while Ceylon cinnamon has not been shown to have the same effect.
Vitamin D is another supplement that can help lower blood sugar levels. Talk to your doctor about the best dose of vitamin D for you before using it. It is recommended that you adopt a nutritious and complete diet to ensure you get all the nutrients your body needs. Some health risks are associated with excessive consumption of vitamin D, so it is important to be aware of these risks before taking it.
Magnesium is a common mineral that plays a central role in regulating blood pressure, muscle function, heart rate and blood sugar levels. In general, diets with higher amounts of magnesium are linked to a lower risk of diabetes, suggesting that it plays a role in glucose metabolism. Magnesium supplements come in different forms and it is recommended to take magnesium with a meal every day for better absorption. Magnesium supplements can interact with medications, including antibiotics and diuretics, so check with your healthcare provider and give them a list of medications you are currently taking to avoid any interactions.
Bitter melon, or Momordica charantia, is a fruit that has been used for medicinal purposes in Chinese and Indian medicine for centuries. It is often used as an herbal remedy for diabetes because it contains active antidiabetic substances that are said to lower blood glucose levels. Bitter melon can be eaten as a whole fruit or squeezed into a juice, or its seeds can be crushed into powder for consumption. Bitter melon extract is also sold as an herbal supplement.
For those considering using bitter melon as a supplement to lower blood glucose levels, limit the amount you eat or take, as consuming too much of it can cause diarrhea and mild abdominal pain. There may be a risk of hypoglycemia or extremely low blood sugar levels if taken with insulin.Gymnema, or Gymnema sylvestre, is another herb that has been used for centuries in India as an herbal remedy for diabetes due to its ability to reduce sugar cravings and improve glucose metabolism.
Leave Message