Number Of Dietary Supplements For Diabetes

Diabetes is a disorder that is characterized by an insensitivity to, or an inability to produce, insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar. Certain dietary supplements can help you to manage your diabetes symptoms and reduce your risk for common secondary diabetes complications. Supplements can interact with diabetes medications; you should consult with your healthcare practitioner before taking any new dietary supplements.

Blond Psyllium

Blond psyllium is an herb, and the seeds and husks are sold as a supplement. Blond psyllium supplements contain water-soluble fibers that form a viscous gel in the intestines. The "Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database" states that taking it orally can significantly reduce post-meal blood sugar levels in both type-1 and type-2 diabetics. In addition, blond psyllium also helps to lower total and low-density lipoprotein levels in type-2 diabetics, which is helpful because high cholesterol levels are a common secondary diabetic condition. Blond psyllium is most effective when it is taken with food, and you should take it as directed on the bottle.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant found in every cell of the body; it helps to turn glucose into energy. According to The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, alpha lipoic acid helps to improve the body's ability to respond to insulin, and it thereby helps to lower blood sugar levels. In addition, it may help to prevent and treat diabetic neuropathy and other diabetic-related nerve disorders. The recommended dose is between 600 and 1,800 mg daily.

Ginseng

Ginseng is an herb that has a long history of use for a variety of purposes in ancient Chinese medicine. "Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database" states that taking 3 g of American ginseng up to two hours before a meal helps to substantially lower blood sugar levels. Panax ginseng is another variety of ginseng and taking 200 mg of it daily has been found to reduce fasting glucose levels. The effectiveness of ginseng supplements may vary, however, because they contain different levels of the active ingredient, ginsenosides.

Guar Gum

Guar gum is a food additive that is derived from the guar plant and also sold as a nutritional supplement. Taking guar gum with meals helps to delay the absorption of sugar in the digestive tract and to thereby lower post-meal blood sugar levels in both type-1 and type-2 diabetics, states the drugs.com website. Guar gum also delays gastric emptying and may help to prevent post-meal drops in blood pressure, which frequently occurs in diabetic patients. The recommended dose is from 7.5 to 21 g daily.