What are Your Top 10 Natural/Alternative Supplements for Lowering Blood Sugar

I thought it would be helpful to all of us if we started a forum on what we believed to be the top 10 non prescription supplements for lowering blood sugar.  Please put them in order of importance, number 1 being the most effective supplement.  Supplements are any non-prescription herbs, vitamins, etc.

If you do not have 10, just add what you feel is the best. 

There are so many recmmended supplements out there and it is all very confusing to me.  My hope is that this forum will clear up some of the confusion. 

The best thing is simply to take a multivitamin that is specially formulated for diabetics rather than trying to create your own "cocktail" .   They balance all the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants along with the specialty supplements you don't find in "general Market" vitamins like Centrum (like alpha lipoic acid).   I find that the multi's in the vitamin section of most drugstores just don't cut it.   I buy mine at Walgreens near the glucose tabs and lancets.  Its in a bright green and yellow box, and I'm pretty sure its called Multibetic.   I really like that its the most potent formula I can find and yet the pills are small and easy to swallow.  

I agree with Nikki, a multi-vitamin is very important for diabetics.  I have a list of supplements that I take every day.  It's about 10 pills, but my doctor recommends it.  The important thing to remember about supplements that even though some are good for diabetics, you have to make sure you're getting enough theraputic doses of it, otherwise it won't be as effective.  So the ones I'm taking (and in no specific order) are alpha lipoic acid, multi-vitamin (2), coenzyme Q-10, chromium (yeast free), EPA (2), borage oil, and clinical strength eye formula (2) (to prevent retinapothy).  All of these products are Now Foods products.  They're good quality and have good enough therapeutic doses. I think you can buy them at any health food store, maybe even cvs or walgreens.  I hope this helps!

I'm a type 2 diabetic , and I have a guestion on vitamin supplements, can anyone give me their opinion on the product called "Juice Plus+" it's in pill form.  Thank you NanaClark

Nana,  can't help with Juice+ but I use Kyani products Sunrise, Sunset and Nitro FX. I find I have more energy and I believe it help with control with sugar level

If there is interest in Kyani look at www.mykyanilife.com/discoverhealth

For early stage type 2 diabetes and pre diabetes, take a look at Glucocil, a new all natural dietary supplement made from mulberry leaf extract.   You can find excellent information on the clinical studies and its effect on post meal blood sugar response on the website www.Glucocil.com .

Warning:

Diabetics taking blood sugar lowering medication may need to reduce their dose, under the guidance of a competent medical professional, when using one or more of these supplements.

Insulow (R-Alpha Lipoic Acid)

References:

Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution, Newly Revised and Updated Edition, March 2007 (pages 238 – 239, 240. 241, 243, 245, 379)

http://www.amazon.com/Insulow-Dietary-Supplement-Capsules-180-Count/dp/B000A09DFS/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1219161076&sr=8-1

http://www.bioprotechnology.com/Press_ALPHA-LIPOIC_ACID.aspx

Pycnogenol

References:

http://www.pycnogenol.com/pdf/Diabetes%20Care.pdf

http://www.nowfoods.com/?action=itemdetail&item_id=42857

Magnesium

References:

Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution, Newly Revised and Updated Edition, March 2007 (pages 124n, 166, 180, 246, 247)

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/4/1147

Vitamin A

References:

Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution, Newly Revised and Updated Edition, March 2007 (pages 245 - 246)

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1200/is_n26_v149/ai_18466364

Vitamin D

References:

http://www.defeatdiabetes.org/Articles/insulinresistance040713.htm

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/sep2007_report_vitamind_01.htm

Vitamin E

References:

Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution, Newly Revised and Updated Edition, March 2007 (pages 54, 165 – 166, 194, 238, 239, 245)

http://www.defeatdiabetes.org/Articles/nutrition030514.htm

Evening Primrose Oil

References:

Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution, Newly Revised and Updated Edition, March 2007 (pages 238 - 239, 240, 241, 243, 245, 379)

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/08/20/diabetes-naturopathic.aspx

L-Arginine

References:

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/24/5/875

http://ajpendo.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/291/5/E906

L-Carnitine

References:

http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/full/18/1/77

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/01/02/l-carnitine.aspx

Omega-3

References:

http://www.kronosinstitute.org/news/pressreleases/pr_0508.pdf

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/514322_8

Regards,

John

Systematic Review of Herbs and Dietary Supplements for Glycemic Control in Diabetes

Controlled clinical trials of single herbs for glycemic control (Table 1)

Controlled clinical trials of combination herbs for glycemic control (Table 2)

Controlled clinical trials of vitamin/mineral supplements for glycemic control (Table 3)

Regards,

John

Health56 posted:

 

There are many supplements that can help lower blood sugar: bitter melon, cinnamon, chromium, lipoic acid. You will find more information in the following link:  http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/Diabetes.cfm

There are a  lot  of  natural remedies  that gives  a  help to keep your blood  sugar  level under control

check  the  list  below

1- Bitter  melon

2- Banaba

3-Cinnamone

4-gymnema  sylvestre

4-Garlic

5-Cromium

etc

All  of  the  natural  remedies  is  very  difficult to collect in  one  place  because  the are  growing  up  in  different places around  the  world.

There  is  a suplement  that contains all the  substract of  the  natural remedies mention  above .

Twyla posted:

I was diabetic taking medication 500mg 2 to 3 times per day for 6 years. I started taking a stem cell enhancer, and no longer have to take any medication. There are many testimonies on these products for different health issues but diabetes is one of them. I'm now an independent distributor for the company and trying to share my story with people, so people can help themselves feel better and be healthier. If anyone has additional questions, just let me know and I will try to help.

How do I find out which stem cell enhancer to use? I have been checking out several of these for a couple months but do not want to waste money on something not researched and proven. Many can be sold through distributors.  Thank you.

suzystudentnurse posted:

 

How do I find out which stem cell enhancer to use? I have been checking out several of these for a couple months but do not want to waste money on something not researched and proven. Many can be sold through distributors.  Thank you.

 Thanks --saw your post!

I would have to saw Alpalpa Juice, I drink it every morning and gives me great results :)

I have found a website that gives many different herbs and supplements that can help with diabetes.

Some of the ones listed are:

Alpha lipoic acid, chromium, cla, fiber and flax seed oil, garlic, magnesium, and turmeric

Here is a link if you would like to read more information.

http://www.enjoying-life-with-diabetes.com/supplements.html

Good luck to everyone.