BEST supplements for diabetes: A healthy diet and keeping active are the best way to manage your blood sugar level when you have the condition. If you have type 2 diabetes, and this is being managed by diet and lifestyle alone, supplements can help to improve your glucose control.
Supplements can have a beneficial role to play in improving type 2 diabetes.
Some improve the production and release of the insulin hormone in the pancreas, some reduce insulin resistance in muscle and fat cells, so they are better able to absorb glucose. Others reduce the production of new glucose in the liver.
A few supplements even work by blocking the effect of gut enzymes to slow the release of glucose from food.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is believed to boost insulin-signalling pathways so that more glucose is absorbed from the circulation by muscle and fat cells, says Dr Brewer.She added: “Several studies suggest that cinnamon extracts can improve glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes. The results from 10 trials involving 543 people with type 2 diabetes found that cinnamon significantly lowered fasting glucose levels compared with placebo.
“In three trials involving cinnamon cassia, fasting glucose levels fell by between 10.3 per cent and 29 per cent with no significant changes in those on placebo.”
Green tea
Green tea contains antioxidant polyphenols that offer several benefits for people with type 2 diabetes, according to Dr Brewer. Green tea extracts even appear to have an insulin-like action that may enhance insulin sensitivity.Dr Brewer explained green, black and oolong tea help to protect against diabetes by:
- Increasing insulin sensitivity
- Blocking digestive enzymes (pancreatic alpha-amylase and intestinal alpha glucosidases) which break down starchy carbohydrates, so that less glucose is absorbed after eating – this action is similar to that of the prescribed anti-diabetes drug, acarabose, which is classed as an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor
- Suppressing appetite and reducing food intake through effects on hormones such as ghrelin and adiponectin
- Inhibiting a metabolic enzyme (catechol-0-methyl transferase) to stimulate the amount of fat burned in cells so that you generate more heat – a phenomenon known as thermogenesis. Green tea extracts can boost the rate at which the body burns calories by as much as 40 per cent over a 24-hour period
Studies involving over 545,500 people have found that, compared with drinking no tea, the relative risk of developing type 2 diabetes is:
- 3 per cent lower if you drink one cup of tea per day
- 5 per cent lower for drinking two cups of tea per day
- 7 per cent lower for three cups of tea per day
- 10 per cent lower for drinking four cups of tea per day
- 12 per cent lower for five cups of tea per day
- 15 per cent lower for those drinking six cups of tea per day
Green tea contains antioxidant polyphenols that offer benefits (Image: GETTY)
Turmeric
Turmeric helps to improve the release of insulin from the pancreatic beta-cells that make it, says Dr Brewer. It also improves how insulin works by activating insulin receptors.She explained: In people with poor glucose tolerance (prediabetes), turmeric was even found to delay the onset of type 2 diabetes in 240 people. When taking turmeric (standardised to provide 250 mg curcuminoids per day) for nine months, none of those taking curcumin progressed to type 2
diabetes, while one in six of those taking placebo were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Those taking curcumin showed significant improvements in the function of insulin-producing pancreatic beta-cells.”
Ayurvedic herbs
Many herbs are used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat type 2 diabetes and are often combined to lower glucose indifferent ways, said Dr Brewer.She added: “Gymnema sylvestre leaves contain unique gymnemic acids that bind to taste receptors on the tongue and block the ability to detect sweetness for up to 90 minutes, to reduce snacking on sweet foods.
“Bitter melon contains a chain of amino acids, known as polypeptide-p, which has a similar structure to insulin and is often referred to as ‘plant insulin’. It also contains charantin, which reduces glucose absorption and the production of glucose in the liver.
“Amla fruit stimulates the release of insulin hormone in response to glucose.
Tinospora cordifolia stimulates insulin secretion from the pancreas and reduces the production of new glucose in the liver.
“A blend of ten Ayurvedic herbs is included in a supplement called Curalin (for whom I act as a medical advisor) and there are some impressive testimonials from users with type 2 diabetes on www.curalife.co.”
Ubiquinol
Ubiquinol is a form of coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant that is vital to produce energy in cells. Cells that do not have enough ubiquinol are unable to work properly, including beta-cells in the pancreas that make insulin, explained Dr Brewer.She said: “A recent study involving 50 people with type 2 diabetes compared the effects of taking ubiquinol supplements (100mg per day) against placebo for 12 weeks. In those taking ubiquinol, there were significant improvements in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c, a measure of glucose control), ‘good’ HDL-cholesterol, insulin levels and insulin resistance compared with placebo.
“Many people with type 2 diabetes are prescribed a statin drug. Statins lower cholesterol levels and switch off cell production of natural ubiquinol, and lower vitamin D levels, which may contribute to statin side effects of muscles aches, weakness and tiredness. Some evidence suggests that taking ubiquinol coenzyme Q10, and vitamin D supplements, can help to prevent or reduce these statin side effects so you can continue to obtain the benefits of medication.”
Dr Brewer adds: “If you are taking any medication, however, always talk to your doctor before taking supplements and follow their advice.”
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1048542/best-supplements-for-diabetes-cinnamon-green-tea-turmeric
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