While changing your diet or incorporating more exercise can help control high blood sugar levels, there are also many supplements that can help. Common examples include vitamin D, cinnamon and magnesium, among others. Similarly, another review noted that aloe vera is particularly useful for lowering blood sugar levels in people with prediabetes. As in the other study, the authors concluded that more research and clinical trials are needed to investigate the benefits of oral aloe vera.
Interest in aloe vera as a treatment for blood sugar in people with diabetes has been on researchers' radar for a long time, with a study conducted in 1996 on the effectiveness of aloe vera juice. The authors examined the impact of drinking one tablespoon of juice twice a day for at least two weeks on people with diabetes. They found that triglyceride levels in the treated group decreased, but as in other reports, they suggested that more research is needed. Aloe vera 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. Oral aloe vera has been shown to cause diarrhea, hives and cramps. Aloe latex (the outer leaf) contains compounds that stimulate laxatives. 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.
This designation must be clearly indicated on the product label. It may also exacerbate the side effects of sevoflurane, an anesthetic, which can cause excessive bleeding during surgery. Consult your healthcare provider and mention that you are using aloe vera juice before undergoing surgery. Research has shown that aloe vera extracts can cause intestinal cancer.
In recent years, aloe vera whole leaf extract has been classified as a “possible human carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. 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. Another study gave people with prediabetes 250 mg of cinnamon extract.
They consumed their doses before breakfast and dinner for three months and reported an 8.4% decrease in fasting blood sugar levels compared to those receiving placebo. One study cites that 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.
On the other hand, Ceylon cinnamon has not been shown to have the same effect. An easy way to integrate cinnamon into your diet is to sprinkle it on oats or cereal, or add it to the kitchen, using about half a teaspoon per day. Some types of cinnamon may contain the compound coumarin, which can adversely affect liver function in people who have liver disease. 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. Because this vitamin increases the body's absorption of calcium in the gastrointestinal tract, too much vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia. In addition, too much vitamin D can lead to kidney failure, but only in extreme cases.
It can also cause calcification of soft tissues, such as heart valves, leading to irregular heartbeats and even death. 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.
Some include magnesium oxide and citrate, as well as chloride. It is recommended to take magnesium with a meal every day for better absorption. Magnesium supplements can interact with medications, including antibiotics and diuretics. 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. A case report suggests that the use of bitter melon could cause paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, in which a rapid heartbeat starts suddenly and goes away on its own within seven days. Gymnema, or Gymnema sylvestre, is a perennial woody vine found in the tropical regions of India, China, Australia and parts of Africa.
It is often used in Ayurvedic medicine. Gymnema can be taken as an extract, tea or powder. You can also chew the leaves of the plant itself and you can find gymnema in the form of capsules. If you opt for the capsule form of gymnema supplements, you should consult with your doctor or healthcare provider about the best dosage for you.
Because gymnema can regulate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, watch for signs of hypoglycemia and monitor your blood sugar level. Because it can affect blood sugar levels, it could affect blood sugar control during and after surgery. Consult your provider and tell them that you are using this supplement before undergoing any surgical procedure. Be careful how gymnema might interact with other medications to lower blood sugar.
If you take gymnema and insulin at the same time, for example, your blood sugar level may be too low. Keep track of your blood sugar levels and see your healthcare provider if you are concerned that your glucose levels are too low. This could affect the recommended dose of gymnema or insulin. American ginseng, also called Panax quinquefolius, is an herb commonly used in traditional Native American and Chinese medicine.
The roots of the ginseng plant are believed to be able to prevent infections and treat conditions such as cancer and diabetes. There is no established Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for chromium. In general, multivitamin or mineral supplements that contain chromium have doses of 35 to 120 mcg. You can also find supplements that are exclusively chromium, which provide 200 mcg to 500 mcg of the mineral.
Some can reach up to 1000 mcg, but they are not as common. Some medications may interact with chromium supplements. Insulin is one of them, since taking it with chromium increases the risk of hypoglycemia. Metformin and other diabetes medications taken together with chromium also carry this risk.
A small study showed that chromium picolinate supplements taken at the same time as treatment for hypothyroidism (levothyroxine) can delay absorption of the drug by more than six hours. People with kidney and liver disease may have worse symptoms of their condition if they take too much chromium. Some isolated symptoms include weight loss, anemia, liver dysfunction, thrombocytopenia, renal failure, rhabdomyolysis, dermatitis, and hypoglycemia. How gymnema can regulate blood sugar to 26% and reduce cravings.
Many people use probiotics to keep their health under control. In particular, probiotic supplements, which are composed of beneficial bacteria and microbes, can improve the body's management of carbohydrates. In general, there isn't much risk when taking probiotics. Even if they don't lower blood sugar levels, probiotics are healthy for general consumption.
However, if you have a significantly impaired immune system, probiotics can cause infections. A study involving people with type 2 diabetes who took 360 mg of cinnamon extract before breakfast showed a decrease of up to 14% in fasting blood sugar compared to participants who were taking a placebo. This three-month study also showed that those who took 360 mg of cinnamon extract saw their hemoglobin A1C decrease by. To keep the study under control, each participant took the same diabetes medication for all three months.
If you're interested in taking Ceylon cinnamon supplements, talk to your doctor first about the option that's right for you. Aloe vera may be a popular choice for people who suffer from sunburn, but it's also known to help people with diabetes lower their blood sugar. Aloe vera is known to interact with different medications, so talk to your doctor to find out if aloe vera is right for you or not. In addition, if you take digoxin, the heart medication, you should avoid aloe vera.
Berberine is one of the most interesting supplements on this list. Berberine is not an herb, but is actually a compound that is extracted from the roots and stems of plants such as fellodendron. While some supplements on this list, such as probiotics, don't cause any digestive problems, berberine can cause constipation, diarrhea, and other digestive problems. Therefore, it is essential to talk to your doctor before taking berberine.
Your doctor will tell you if it is right for you or not, as well as the dose at which you should start. Magnesium is also used by a good number of people with diabetes to keep their blood sugar levels in order. A review of eight studies showed that taking magnesium supplements for 6 to 24 weeks for people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes reduced fasting blood sugar. Each 50 mg increase in magnesium intake resulted in a 3% decrease in fasting blood sugar in participants who entered the study with low blood magnesium levels.
I don't want it to sound like a broken record, but once again, check with your doctor if magnesium supplements are right for you. Magnesium supplements are known to interact negatively with diuretics and antibiotics, among other medications. Vitamin D is the last supplement on this list. In fact, vitamin D is extremely important for people in general.
According to a study, more than 70% of participants with type 2 diabetes were vitamin D deficient at the start of the study. After two months of taking a vitamin D supplement, almost 50% of participants had an Ac1 that showed good blood sugar control. Compare this to just 32% before the study. Summary Probiotic supplements, especially those containing more than one species of beneficial bacteria, can help lower fasting blood sugar and A1.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% drop in fasting blood sugar.
Many supplements, such as cinnamon, ginseng, other herbs, vitamin D, magnesium, probiotics and plant compounds such as berberine, can help lower blood sugar. Because folate supplementation is a way to lower homocysteine, it is believed to be a way to mitigate high blood glucose levels. And you can read the Internet carefully and find supplements to lower blood sugar or any number of tips, tricks and things that people trust, but it's not always a one-size-fits-all approach. Some blood sugar-related supplements can interact with certain medications and can have potentially dangerous side effects.
You may also lower your blood sugar with other herbs, such as devil's claw, ginger, guar gum, panax, ginseng, eleuther and fenugreek. Sometimes, supplements may be necessary or helpful, but a balanced diet is much more effective in supplying nutrients than a supplement. D supplementation may improve blood sugar and A1C levels in non-obese people with type 2 diabetes who are deficient, an analysis published in the journal Metabolism concluded. However, there are many studies that show how good cinnamon can be at keeping blood sugar levels under control.
Before you start taking any diabetes supplement, it's important to know what you need and in what amount, which your healthcare provider can identify with a simple blood test. Experts know that zinc is involved in regulating blood sugar levels and insulin activity, and that people with diabetes are more likely to be deficient in this mineral. . .
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