The Risk of Diabetes Could Reduced With These Supplements

DDiabetes is a type of disease that occurs when your blood sugar levels get too high. Having too much glucose in the blood causes health issues. Many people who suffer from diabetes may not even know it. That's why it may be too late before they can do something about it. Diabetes doesn't have a cure and diabetics must learn how to manage this condition.

Diabetes and Dietary Supplements About Diabetes

Many studies have been conducted about dietary supplements. It's to check whether the manufacturer's claims are true. These supplements claim to prevent or treat type 2 diabetes along with its complications. Although the evidence is weak about the possible benefits. One example is chromium found to help with controlling blood sugar levels. But most supplements can't support that it's beneficial for diabetes and its complications.

Diabetes and Blood Sugar Levels

Diabetes occurs when your blood sugar levels spike up abnormally. It can cause complications to your health. The blood sugar level is the concentration of glucose in the blood. It's used to measure if you have it at a normal level or not. The normal adult blood glucose level should be 90 to 110 mg/dL. When it's higher than that, you will already be considered diabetic.

What Are Dietary Supplements?

Dietary supplements are intended to supplement a person's diet. It can be in different forms such as a pill, capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid. Supplements provide additional nutrients to your body. It can be either extracted from food or it can also be synthetic. These are made to increase the consumption of essential nutrients to achieve a healthy body. It can also be used to improve different types of conditions.

Supplements That Lower Blood Sugar

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera supplements or juice from its leaves can help to lower down fasting blood sugar and A1C. It's good for people with prediabetes or te type 2 diabetes. Research shows that taking aloe supplements for 4 to 14 weeks can decrease blood sugar levels. Aloe can stimulate insulin production in the pancreas. Although it wasn't confirmed on humans it might have a similar effect.

2. Cinnamon

Cinnamon supplements are widely available nowadays. It's made from either cinnamon powder or extract. Based on studies, it can help lower down blood sugar and also improves diabetes control. It works because cinnamon can help the cells to respond better to insulin. It allows glucose into the cells while lowering blood sugar. People with prediabetes experienced a decrease in their blood sugar from taking cinnamon supplements

3. Vitamin D

It's a potential risk factor if you have type 2 diabetes and Vitamin D deficiency. In a study with participants with type 2 diabetes, 72% of them suffered from vitamin D deficiency. It's an important nutrient your body needs if you have diabetes. It can improve the function of your pancreatic cells which makes insulin. Vitamin D can also increase the body's response to insulin and improves diabetes.

4. Magnesium

Magnesium can normalized insulin secretion and action to your body's tissues. It's common for people who don't have good control when it comes to their blood sugar. Low blood levels of magnesium have been observed in these groups. One study shows that taking magnesium supplements can reduce fasting blood sugar levels. The results are better than those who take a placebo in diabetics and normal individuals.

5. Bitter Melon

Bitter melon is known to have the ability to lower down your body's blood sugar. It contains properties that can act like insulin. It can bring the glucose level to your cells to use for energy. Consuming butter melon will help the cells to use glucose and move it around the liver, muscles, and fat. It helps the body retain nutrients by blocking them and be converted to glucose.

6. Gymnema

Gymnema Sylvestre is a type of herb that is used for diabetes Ayurvedic treatment. This plant was named gurmar in Hindu which means, sugar destroyer. It's said to reduce sugar absorption from the gut. This plant can also promote the cell's uptake of sugar from the blood. It has a positive impact on type 1 diabetes which may aid the insulin-producing cells from the pancreas.

7. American Ginseng

Primarily grown from North America, American ginseng is also said to decrease after meals blood sugar. It might improve the cell's response and increase the secretion of insulin. In one experiment, people with type 2 diabetes were given 1 gram of American ginseng 40 minutes before mealtimes. It lasted for two months ad their fasting blood sugar decreased by 10% more than those who take a placebo.

8. Chromium

Chromium is found in different foods and is an essential trace mineral. Your body can't use glucose well if you only have low chromium on your diet. People with diabetes can benefit from taking chromium supplements. It can improve your blood sugar control. But it can cause stomachache and bloat. It might also cause kidney damage, muscular problems, and skin reactions. The long-term use of chromium has not yet been investigated.

9. Berberine

It's not a specific herb but more of a bitter-tasting compound. Berberine cane from roots and stems of certain plants. It includes goldenseal and Phellodendron. Studies of people with type 2 diabetes observed that a good effect of taking berberine. If it's combined with diet and a lifestyle change, it can reduce fasting blood sugar by 15.5 mg/dL. That's better compared to those taking a placebo.

10. Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Alpha-lipoic acid is said to have a positive effect when it comes to complications of diabetes. It includes diabetic macular edema which causes vision loss. Diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage may also be improved. However, taking alpha-lipoic acid supplements may cause stomach issues. But if the benefits are great, it's worth giving it a try. It's best to ask your doctor about the proper dosage.

How Dietary Supplements May Help Control Diabetes

Dietary supplements contain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. It can provide additional nutrition for health problems such as diabetes. These supplements may help them with diabetes control by lowering their blood sugar. Maintaining it within the normal level will help to avoid complications. It's also said to be more effective compared to a placebo.

How Dietary Supplements Can Hinder Diabetes Control

Dietary supplements that claim to lower blood sugar can interact with your diabetes control medicines. Herbal remedies can result in hypoglycemia. High dosage supplements and diabetes medication can be dangerous. It's not good for diabetics to have a very low level of blood sugar. It can drop drastically and results in serious consequences.

The Pros and Cons of Taking Supplements With Diabetes

Pros

• Supplements provide added nutrients your body needs.

• It can reduce the dosage of your current prescription.

• You can choose between natural or synthetic types of supplements.

• They are generally safe to use.

Cons

• Supplements are not regulated strictly.

• It may interact with your medications.

• You still have to take your medicines.

Deciding Whether to Use Dietary Supplements for Diabetes

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it's not a bad idea to try using them. Although it cant be a replacement for your medications. Dietary supplements can be taken alongside your medicines. Your doctor may lower down the dosage of your maintenance. That can avoid suffering from long-term side effects of taking medications.

Counseling on Dietary Supplements

If you are considering using dietary supplements for your diabetes control, you can ask for your doctor's advice. It's best to get your doctors an opinion regarding a supplement that you're planning to take. Taking it without counseling may put you at risk.

FAQs

1. Is it Safe to Take Supplements if You Have Diabetes?

People with diabetes are more likely to try taking supplements. It's not bad to try other methods to control diabetes. Dietary supplements are generally safe. But it should not replace your diabetes treatment. That can put your health at risk. Make sure to consult your doctor before taking supplements.

2. What happens to the body when it lacks magnesium?

When your body lacks magnesium, it can weaken your bones over time. It can also cause bad headaches, anxiety, or heart problems. Low levels of important minerals such as calcium and potassium may also occur. You should be aware of magnesium deficiency to avoid these issues. The first sign of it is fatigue or weakness.

3. What are the health benefits of aloe supplements? Are they safe?

Aloe vera is safe and a rich source of antioxidants. It also contains vitamins that will help to protect the skin. Aloe can neutralize the effects of ultraviolet radiation. It also repairs your skin and prevents wrinkles. Aloe vera juice or supplements can also lower fasting blood glucose levels.

Conclusion

Diabetes can't be cured but it can be controlled. You don't have to feel bad if you get diagnosed with this condition. There are many ways to put it under control. Dietary supplements can help you to maintain normal levels of your blood sugar. Just asks your doctor about it to get some advice before going for it.