While making changes to your diet or increasing your physical activity can help manage high blood sugar levels, there are also many supplements that can be beneficial. Common examples include vitamin D, cinnamon, magnesium, and aloe vera. A study conducted in 1996 looked into the effectiveness of aloe vera juice for people with diabetes. The participants drank one tablespoon of juice twice a day for at least two weeks.
The results showed that triglyceride levels in the treated group decreased, but more research is needed to confirm the benefits of aloe vera. Aloe vera is available in the form of juice that is ingested orally, as well as a topical gel that is applied to the skin. It can also be found in shampoos and soaps, but the oral form is what has been studied for its potential to regulate blood sugar levels. Oral aloe vera has been known to cause diarrhea, hives, and cramps.
It is important to choose products made only with the inner part of the leaf or fillet to avoid any laxative effect. Additionally, aloe vera may interact with sevoflurane, an anesthetic used during surgery, so it is important to consult your healthcare provider before undergoing surgery if you are taking aloe vera juice. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified aloe vera whole leaf extract as a “possible human carcinogen”, so it is important to speak with your healthcare provider before taking any supplement. Cinnamon is made from the bark of the cinnamon tree and is available in extract or powder form as a supplement.
A study examined the impact of three daily doses of 500 milligrams (mg) of cinnamon for 12 weeks on 54 participants with prediabetes. Those who received the placebo had a higher blood sugar level after a period of overnight fasting, while those who took the supplement had stable levels. The participants who received cinnamon also had an improved ability to metabolize sugar. Another study gave people with prediabetes 250 mg of cinnamon extract before breakfast and dinner for three months and reported an 8.4% decrease in fasting blood sugar levels compared to those receiving placebo.
The recommended dose of cinnamon extract is 250 mg twice daily before each meal, while 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 regulate blood sugar levels. It is important to speak with your healthcare provider about the best dose for you before taking it as excessive consumption can lead to health risks such as hypercalcemia and kidney failure in extreme cases.
Additionally, it can cause calcification of soft tissues such as heart valves which can lead to irregular heartbeats and even death. Magnesium is a mineral that plays a role in regulating blood pressure, muscle function, heart rate, and blood sugar levels. 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 such as magnesium oxide and citrate, as well as chloride and should be taken with a meal every day for better absorption.
Magnesium supplements can interact with medications so it is important to check with your healthcare provider before taking them. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is a fruit that has been used for medicinal purposes in Chinese and Indian medicine for centuries and 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 but it is important to limit the amount you eat or take as consuming too much can cause diarrhea and mild abdominal pain.
Additionally, there may be a risk of hypoglycemia if taken with insulin and it has been known to cause paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in some cases. Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) is a perennial woody vine found in tropical regions of India, China, Australia, and parts of Africa and is often used in Ayurvedic medicine.
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