Supplements for Diabetes

April 2, 2003

Supplements for Diabetes?

" I'm a type-2 diabetic who controls my condition with diet alone. I've heard

that ginseng can help control diabetes. Is it worth a try? "

-- Anonymous

(Published 03/16/2001)

Updated 12/7/2001

I think there are more effective steps you can take. To begin with, diet alone

is not enough. It's vital to incorporate activity into your daily life, as

regular exercise can lower insulin resistance and improve type-2 diabetes. If

you're interested in a botanical remedy to lower blood sugar levels, I would

recommend extract of Asian bitter melon (Momordica charantia)instead of ginseng.

Two other herbal remedies you might try are ayurvedic gurmar (Gymnema

sylvestre)and prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia spp.) You can find these remedies at

your natural-food store or through large mail-order or online supplement

retailers; follow package directions. Although there's some research showing a

beneficial effect of American ginseng on glucose levels, I think the evidence

for the other three herbs is stronger.

In addition, I recommend supplementing with 1,000 mcg a day of GTF (glucose

tolerance factor) chromium, a form that's well used by the body. Chromium helps

stabilize blood sugar levels and can be beneficial in type-2 diabetes. Another

mineral helpful to diabetes is magnesium which I recommend in a dose of 400 mg a

day. Also helpful is alpha-lipoic acid at a staring dose of 100 mg. It is a

powerful antioxidant that can help lower blood sugar. Those diabetics who are

taking prescribed medications for the condition should let their physicians know

when they're experimenting with one of these remedies, in case those diabetes

medications need adjustment.

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