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Diabetes and its complications contribute to the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. In addition, between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the condition is so prevalent that more than 30 million people nationwide suffer from it. An additional 84 million people exhibit signs of prediabetes.
Most diabetes cases in the US are Type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes generally develops later in life, often due to the patient’s lifestyle. It occurs when the body becomes resistant to and/or unable to produce insulin, a compound that helps the body turn glucose in the blood into energy. Type 1 diabetes is genetically linked and present at birth and occurs when the pancreas cannot produce insulin because the immune system is attacking it. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes allow too much glucose to remain in the bloodstream, which can cause kidney, heart, nerve, vision, hearing, and other issues.
So how can we turn the tide against diabetes in the US and around the world? For an increasing number of people with diabetes, a part of the answer may lie in supplements.
Supplements for Diabetes Treatment
While more than 50% of patients in diabetes care clinics say they use dietary supplements daily, those with Type 2 diabetes more commonly report supplement use than those with Type 1. For some who use dietary supplements, testing has shown a lower level of A1C, the indicator used to predict prediabetes. Unfortunately, it is not yet clear which supplement has had the greatest impact on A1C levels.
Because of this uncertainty and because of the importance of treating diabetes with the proper medication, using supplements in lieu of diabetes medication is not recommended. However, there can certainly be benefits to producing compounded medications that are blends of diabetes medications and dietary supplements. These may provide added benefits that diabetes medication alone cannot. For some patients, supplementation is a way to help manage diabetes alongside medication, proper diet, and other precautions.
How Do Vitamins and Supplements Help with Diabetes?
When people refer to dietary supplements, they refer to products that consist of vitamins, herbs, minerals, amino acids, and other compounds that, when taken orally, can add vital nutrients to the diet to exert a desired effect. Supplements can come in various forms, including tablets, gummies, liquids, powders, and even bars. Because of the many forms in which they can be consumed, supplements are often classified as food. The FDA is only required to regulate dietary ingredients, and they are unable to remove products from the market unless they are proven to be unsafe. That’s why it’s so important to purchase supplements from a reputable source, such as a pharmacy.
Through compounding prescribed diabetes medication with supplements or other medications, customized medications can help to provide a complete treatment while also helping to curb side effects like pain and inflammation, poor wound healing, decreased blood flow, and more. Compounded medications can also help restore healthy hormone levels while addressing the diabetic medical condition.
Helpful Diabetic Supplements
Knowing the most common types of supplements and their benefits can help you determine which might be best for you. Here are some of the most useful.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha lipoic acid, more commonly referred to as ALA, is an antioxidant that aids in the body’s ability to create energy from foods, specifically carbohydrates. It is commonly found naturally in foods such as red meat, carrots, beets, spinach, broccoli, and potatoes. However, most people will want to supplement to achieve the levels of ALA necessary to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes.
Those with diabetes may find that this supplement helps reduce the sensations caused by nerve damage as a result of the condition. ALA may help with neuropathy by eliminating free radicals and helping with the pain, burning, itching, tingling, and numbness that result from nerve damage. It also appears to improve insulin sensitivity as well as improve overall autonomic neuropathy.
Biotin, Thiamine, Folic Acid, Cobalamin, and Other Vitamin B Supplements
B vitamins are commonly used to address symptoms of diabetes. B vitamins such as biotin, thiamin, pyridoxine, folic acid, and cobalamin are all relevant to the symptoms of neuropathy. For example, when thiamine is prevalent or easily absorbed, diabetes patients often demonstrate lower glucose and lipid levels.
There are several types of vitamin B supplements, and each has its own function within the body. Vitamin B supplements can help with digestion, address nerve issues, improve oxygen distribution, and boost the immune system. In particular, folic acid may lower cardiovascular risk in diabetes patients by reducing homocysteine levels. It has also been shown to help support glycemic control. This helps to balance insulin concentrations within the body, which are necessary to control several diabetic symptoms.
More commonly known as vitamin B12, cobalamin is a non-protein supplement that helps to aid in vitamin B12 deficiency. When the body is deficient in cobalamin, patients are more likely to process blood glucose. This may lead to better pain management for those with diabetes by allowing for improvement in the body’s response to nerve stimulation.
Chromium
The trace element chromium can sometimes be deficient in those who have diabetes. Supplementing with chromium has been theorized to provide the best benefits to those with Type 2 diabetes. It may provide an increase in insulin sensitivity and possibly improve the body’s ability to tolerate glucose. However, research is still underway.
One of the most significant reasons people choose to supplement with chromium is its ability to curb cravings for food, which promotes weight loss. In addition, diabetic patients struggle with insulin, either because their body is unable to produce enough or because their body rejects its natural insulin. Diabetic patients could find that chromium helps to reduce blood sugar levels.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon isn’t just a spice for cooking and baking. The same cinnamon you love in your favorite sweets is also used in dietary supplements. Supplementing with cinnamon may help reduce blood glucose levels by enhancing the activity of insulin. It is important to know that cinnamon can negatively interact with certain diabetes medications and may not be preferable for patients looking to maintain blood glucose. Still, supplements with both cinnamon and chromium can be excellent for reducing blood sugar.
Fenugreek
This dietary supplement not only smells uniquely of maple syrup; it has also been shown to have an impact on blood glucose. Researchers believe fenugreek stimulates the release of insulin in the body and slows carbohydrate digestion and absorption. Many people find fenugreek to be a helpful supplemental addition for those with diabetes. In particular, when combined with regular diabetes medication, fenugreek may be beneficial for addressing Type 2 diabetes.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D has been shown to help improve glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. When a person is deficient in vitamin D, they may face a reduction in insulin secretion. With the addition of the vitamin D supplement, many diabetes patients may be able to address insulin deficiencies. In addition, proper vitamin D levels may help diabetes patients prevent the onset of foot ulcers commonly associated with diabetes.
Adding Dietary Supplements to Diabetes Medications
While there are many benefits to dietary supplements, it is important to understand that they should never replace your prescribed diabetes medication. Remember: a key component in the term “dietary supplement” is the word “supplement.” Supplements should serve as an additional aid to prescribed medications to address dietary deficiencies. Reviewing the unique symptoms of your battle with diabetes can help you identify which aspects of the disease you need to address. Then, you can choose a supplement that works with your prescription and other supplements rather than against them.
Fortunately, most supplements are safe to take as an addition to your diabetes medication. Still, it is important to review your current list of medications and supplements and ensure adding a new supplement is right for you.
Diabetes Supplement FAQs
We field many questions about diabetes supplements, particularly from individuals new to diabetes treatment. Here are the answers to the most common.
Supplementing Diabetes Medication
Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been dealing with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes for years, knowing how medications interact with your body and with other compounds you take is essential to managing your condition safely. Prescription diabetes medications are a critical part of this management process, and taking them as instructed is one of the most important things you can do to preserve your health. Then, compounding diabetes medications with other essential medications and adding supplements to help manage your condition more naturally can ensure you prevent unwanted complications like heart disease, nerve disorders, kidney disease, foot issues, and even vision issues.
Compounding Pharmacy of America is pleased to stock a unique line of products designed by experts to ensure maximum efficacy with each dose. Because we are licensed pharmacists, we can also offer advice regarding which supplements may pair best with your prescribed medications. In addition, a compounding pharmacist can combine your diabetes medications in order to reduce your doses or provide a better way to ingest your medications.
To learn more about supplements, or to inquire about compounding your diabetes medications for more efficient dosing, contact a compounding pharmacist today.
Sources
- https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/recipes-nutrition/vitamins-diabetes
- https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/quick-facts.html
- https://diabetesjournals.org/spectrum/article/26/4/259/32075/Dietary-Supplements-for-Diabetes-Are-Decidedly
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21454888/
- https://www.fda.gov/food/information-consumers-using-dietary-supplements/questions-and-answers-dietary-supplements#what_is
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20633024/
- https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/cinnamon-and-benefits-for-diabetes
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4591578/
Chief Operating Officer, The Compounding Pharmacy of America
Matthew Poteet, Pharm.D. graduated with Honors from Lee University with a Bachelors of Science in Biological Science. After his undergraduate training, he completed the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy, graduating in 2004. Dr. Poteet has spent much of his pharmacy career on staff at two of the most prestigious academic teaching hospitals in the Southeast; Emory University in Atlanta and Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. At these institutions he received extensive experience and training in sterile products compounding.
He returned home to East Tennessee in 2010, where he has held the position of Pharmacy Director at two sterile products pharmacies in Knoxville. Matthew lives in Knoxville with his wife, Chris. Dr. Poteet is Tennessee’s first Board Certified Anti-Aging Pharmacist by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
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