High blood sugar (glucose) is associated with conditions such as prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, and managing blood sugar with a doctor’s guidance is important for preventing complications. As part of a management plan that also involves diet, exercise, and sometimes medication, some dietary supplements may help reduce blood sugar levels and other complications linked to diabetes.
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a dietary supplement with antioxidant properties. It’s also found in foods like broccoli, tomatoes, brussels sprouts, and red meat.
Evidence on the benefits of ALA in managing blood sugar is mixed. Some studies have found that ALA may help improve blood sugar control by improving how sensitive or responsive you are to insulin, the hormone that helps your body use glucose and decreases how much is in your blood.
Research suggests 800-1,200 milligrams daily may be effective for lowering blood sugar.
Cinnamon—specifically a type of cinnamon called Ceylon cinnamon—is known for helping to manage blood sugar levels naturally. It may help lower fasting blood glucose, increase insulin levels, and relieve nerve pain associated with diabetes.
In one study, researchers observed a 48% reduction in blood sugar in people who took 6 grams of cinnamon daily for four weeks.
There’s no recommended amount of cinnamon to take to help manage diabetes, but many people in studies took 1-6 grams daily.
People with type 2 diabetes commonly have low magnesium levels. Not having enough magnesium affects the way your cells use glucose and is associated with worsened insulin resistance.
Magnesium supplements may significantly reduce fasting blood sugar, but may only be helpful if you have lower-than-normal magnesium levels.
In studies, magnesium supplements in daily doses of up to 600 milligrams for several months helped improve blood sugar levels alongside treatments like insulin. Magnesium oxide and magnesium chloride may be more effective in improving blood sugar control than magnesium aspartate.
Studies suggest that chromium supplements may significantly reduce fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) in people with type 2 diabetes. This effect may be because chromium increases the action of insulin.
While there are no standard recommendations for how much to take, dosages of up to 200 micrograms per day are considered safe. Taking it together with insulin increases your risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
While results in humans have been mixed, some studies suggest that zinc supplements may help control blood sugar and reduce diabetes-related complications.
Research shows that taking about 50 milligrams of a form called zinc gluconate daily for 8 weeks helps lower fasting blood sugar levels, especially in people who have excess body weight.
Omega-3 fatty acids may help regulate blood sugar levels and cholesterol in people with diabetes.
Some research suggests a daily intake of 1,000-2,000 milligrams, taken for at least 8 weeks, may be effective.
Berberine may help reduce blood sugar levels and increase insulin production. Some studies suggest berberine may be a good complement to diabetes treatment. Still, further research is needed to recommend its use.
In clinical trials, people who took berberine to manage blood sugar levels took 900-1,500 milligrams daily. Berberine is considered safe in daily doses up to 3,000 milligrams.
Probiotics may also help reduce blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. While not all studies have found the same results, some research suggests that probiotics help regulate blood glucose because they:
- Balance the gut
- Reduce ongoing inflammation
- Lower stress
- Improve insulin resistance
Studies suggest that specific strains like L. rhamnosus GG and B. animalis may be particularly useful in managing type 2 diabetes.
Experts don’t know the ideal dosage, but probiotics are generally safe. Researchers propose that probiotics be used together with medications to promote better sugar control.
Vitamin D may help manage blood sugar levels, though experts don’t fully understand why. Some studies suggest that vitamin D3 may have a protective effect because it helps lower inflammation that contributes to insulin resistance.
There’s currently no recommended dosage of vitamin D to manage blood sugar. Some studies use vitamin D in doses of 1,600-4,000 international units (IU) daily.
Aloe vera has some research to suggest it can help reduce blood sugar and HbA1C. Other researchers suggest that evidence supporting aloe vera’s use in people with diabetes is often of poor quality.
Aloe vera is safe for short-term use, up to 42 days.
Gymnema, also known as Gurmar, is used in Ayurveda and other alternative medicine systems to reduce symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Reviews and clinical trials suggest that gymnema significantly lowers fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels, though more research may be needed.
The usual dosage is 250–500 milligrams, taken twice per day.
There are a few things to keep in mind before you begin taking a supplement to help control blood sugar:
- Effectiveness: Overall, there’s not enough robust evidence to recommend using supplements for managing diabetes, and any supplements you take should not replace your prescribed medication or treatment plan.
- Side effects: Some dietary supplements can have serious side effects, including harm to your kidneys or liver. There’s also insufficient information on the safety of many supplements.
- Interactions: Dietary supplements can also interact with your medications. Supplements may intensify the effects of diabetes medication, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.
If you want to use natural supplements as a complement to other strategies for managing your blood sugar, talk with a doctor for their guidance on safety risks and how much to take.
