Numerous dietary supplements may be helpful in treating your sugar addiction. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas that helps regulate your blood sugar levels. If you consume excessive amounts of sugar, your pancreas may no longer produce enough insulin to clear glucose, or sugar, from your blood, which can cause serious health complications. Before taking supplements to help treat your sugar addiction, talk with your doctor about proper dosage, possible side effects and potential drug interactions.
Licorice
Licorice, also known as Glycyrrhiza glabra, is an herb and dietary supplement that may be helpful in treating your sugar addiction. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, licorice, a member of the legume family, is a perennial plant that grows throughout Asia and Europe and can reach a maximum height of about 7 feet. Licorice possesses a sweet and nutritious taste and moistening tendencies. The root of the plant is used medicinally to help treat numerous health problems, including sugar addiction. Dr. Michael T. Murray, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "The Healing Power of Herbs," states that licorice is 50 to 100 times as sweet as table sugar, but does not cause a noticeable change in your blood sugar levels. Licorice can be used as a sweetening agent in place of table sugar. If you have high blood pressure, you should avoid taking this herb, unless you are under the care and guidance of a qualified health care professional.
Stevia
The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center states, or MSKCC, states that stevia, a member of the sunflower family, is approximately 200 to 300 times sweeter than table sugar, although it has a negligible effect on your blood glucose levels. Stevia can be used as a substitute for table sugar, which may help treat your sugar addiction and improve your long-term health. Stevia, also called Stevia rebaudiana or sweetleaf, is an herbal supplement native to Brazil and Paraguay that has been used to help help treat sugar addiction, diabetes, hyperglycemia, weight gain, hypertension and inflammation throughout your body. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the raw leaves of the plant for medicinal purposes. According to the University of Michigan Health System, various glycosides, especially stevoside, are responsible for stevia's sweetness.
Gymnema
Gymnema is a woody climbing plant that grows throughout India and certain parts of Africa and has been used for centuries by practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine, the traditional medicine system of India. Gymnema belongs to the milkweed family, possesses a sweetish taste and has cooling properties. The University of Michigan Health System states that the leaves of the plant are used in herbal supplements to help treat health problems, such as sugar addiction. Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that gymnema, also known as Gymnema sylvestre, is a hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic and anti-atherosclerotic that blocks the sensation of sweetness when applied to your tongue and may help regulate your blood sugar levels. Tilgner cautions that gymnema should not be used in cases of hypogylcemia.
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