Can taking supplements help manage diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that makes your blood sugar (glucose) too high. This happens when your pancreas produces little or no insulin - a hormone crucial for regulating blood sugar levels.

Managing and treating diabetes requires a combination of healthy eating, regular exercise, and medicine - including insulin. Vitamins and supplements are becoming increasingly popular as complementary additions alongside tried and tested diabetes treatments. However, there is limited research - and no solid evidence - to confirm their beneficial effects on diabetes management.

Diabetes

Graphic: Ben Hudson

Supplements and vitamins for diabetes

Pharmacist and nutritional therapist Deborah Grayson, Practice With Confidence says that any supplement that increases the sensitivity of your body to insulin, or lowers your blood sugar levels, may interact with diabetes medicines.

This could lead to poorer blood sugar control, and could even make complications arising from diabetes worse.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is often depleted when taking metformin to control type 2 diabetes. A vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to issues with memory and peripheral neuropathy - a condition that affects the nerve signals between your brain and spinal cord.

Magnesium

Low levels of magnesium are often linked to higher blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. For this reason, magnesium is thought to help insulin function better.

Zinc

Zinc is believed to boost insulin production, and improve its interactions with your body's cells. It may also reduce inflammation, and protect your pancreas - the organ that makes insulin.

Selenium

A powerful antioxidant, selenium is thought to safeguard your pancreas from damage, enhancing its ability to produce enough insulin.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Vitamin D is made by your body in the summer, but you may need to take a supplement during the winter.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C may have a positive effect on blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity. It could also lower inflammation and oxidative stress which could contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Inositol

Inositols are compounds that improve insulin sensitivity and play a role in regulating human reproduction.

Myo-inositol is a supplement that works in a similar way to metformin. It decreases glucose absorption in your digestive system and enhances glucose transport into cells by improving insulin sensitivity.

Berberine

Berberine may increase insulin secretion, and reduce glucose production in your liver, and fat storage.

Alpha lipoic acid

Alpha lipoic acid may safeguard the beta-cells in your pancreas which are vital for insulin production.

Grayson adds it could also help your blood sugar reach these cells to reduce insulin resistance, improve blood glucose control and minimise your likelihood of diabetes complications.

Gymnema

Research suggests that Gymnema can hinder sugar cravings, lower high blood sugar levels, and support weight loss.

Chromium

Chromium may boost insulin sensitivity and help maintain blood sugar control.

Other treatments for diabetes

Medicine

People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin - either through injections or an insulin pump. This helps manage blood sugar levels and reduces your chance of serious short and long-term complications.

People with type 2 diabetes will be encouraged to adopt healthier lifestyle changes. If this is not enough, medicine will be recommended.

A healthy diet

Diabetes UK says that by eating a balanced diet, most people can get all the nutrients they need without extra dietary supplements.

Grayson agrees that healthy eating is vital for keeping your body running smoothly - especially if you have diabetes.

"When thinking about diet with diabetes, it is important to minimise your chance of a spike in blood sugar by choosing complex carbohydrates," she advises. "Opt for whole grains instead of pasta, rice, bread and cakes which are full of simple starches that cause blood sugar to rise quickly.

"If you have a sweet treat, then make sure it is at the same time as a well-balanced meal to minimise the impact on your glucose levels," Grayson recommends. "Limit your number of treats to one or two a week."

Regular exercise

Regular exercise also helps improve insulin sensitivity and stabilise your blood sugar.

Grayson says: "A 30-minute walk a day can help get your blood sugar under control. Combining this with better-balanced meals can also support weight management to reduce your chance of diabetes complications."