Note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve supplements for safety or effectiveness. Talk to a healthcare professional about whether a supplement is the right fit for your individual health, and about any potential drug interactions or safety concerns.
While dietary supplements aren’t a cure or a replacement for prescribed medications, certain vitamins, minerals, and herbs may offer additional support for people with type 2 diabetes. From improving insulin sensitivity to reducing inflammation to protecting nerve health, a variety of supplements have the potential to play a complementary role in diabetes management. With that said, always talk to your healthcare provider before you take any new supplement.
1. Vitamin D
“We know that many people with type 2 diabetes have low vitamin D levels at the time of diagnosis,” says Aimée José, RN, CDCES, a diabetes coach based in the San Diego area. “It’s easy to underestimate how important this micronutrient is for maintaining and improving insulin sensitivity.” In fact, low levels of vitamin D are associated with insulin resistance.
“Vitamin D affects insulin sensitivity in a few ways,” says José. “First, inflammation. The more inflammation you have, the more insulin resistance you experience. Vitamin D reduces inflammation. Secondly, it improves insulin secretion. It improves your pancreas’ ability to produce insulin.”
In addition to improved insulin sensitivity, short-term, high-dose vitamin D supplementation in people with type 2 diabetes who are deficient in the vitamin may reduce fasting blood glucose and A1C levels.
“[Vitamin D] is truly one of the most important supplements for any of us, with diabetes or not,” says José. “I recommend it to all my patients.”
Talk to your healthcare team to learn how a vitamin D supplement may serve as a complementary treatment for your type 2 diabetes.
2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
“[You need to] get your omegas, but it’s not easy if you don’t love eating fish,” says Ben Tzeel, RD, CDCES, the founder of Your Diabetes Insider. “That’s why a lot of us need to supplement here. It’s the oily fish that offer up omega-3s, like salmon, sardines, and mackerel.”
Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically the EPA and DHA that are found in fatty fish and fish oil supplements, are known for a variety of health benefits, including some that might be especially helpful for people with type 2 diabetes.
“Omegas don’t necessarily have a direct impact on your blood sugar, but they affect a handful of things that make up your overall diabetes health,” says Tzeel. For instance, omega-3 fatty acids can reduce triglyceride levels, improve HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, and reduce inflammation, protecting from the cardiovascular health events that can result from diabetes.
“The research is pretty clear on this one compared to other supplements where the impact is more iffy, especially for triglycerides and general heart health,” says Tzeel. “We all need omegas, and most of us definitely don’t get enough.”
Talk to your healthcare team about taking an omega-3 supplement for your cardiovascular health as a person with diabetes.
3. Fiber
Dietary fiber is a type of carbohydrate derived from plant-based foods that the human body cannot break down into glucose. It plays a critical role in digestion, too.
“Yes, you need more fiber in your diet,” says José. “But there’s a difference between supplemental fiber from supplements and real fiber from whole foods. “You’re getting more from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains than just the fiber. Your body is breaking down that real food.” Supplemental fiber from a supplement product can help you boost your fiber intake while ideally striving to eat more plant-based foods, too.
Fiber supplements may improve glucose levels, especially after meals, by slowing the digestion of carbohydrates that may spike glucose levels, explains José. Fiber is also associated with feeling fuller while eating, which could lead to eating fewer calories during a meal and supporting an overall healthier weight. Lastly, fiber helps move food through your digestive system, improving bowel movement frequency and overall digestive health, says José.
Higher-fiber diets are an important component of diabetes management, often resulting in improved glycemic control, reduced cholesterol levels, healthier body weight, and reduced inflammation.
Talk to your healthcare provider about finding the right fiber supplement for you.
4. Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a powerful antioxidant that naturally occurs in every cell of the body, and in a range of plant- and animal-based foods. As a supplement, it shows promise in its ability to mitigate oxidative stress–induced damage caused by chronic metabolic disorders like diabetes and, more specifically, diabetic neuropathy.
“If you have neuropathy and you’re living with that constant burning and numbness in your feet, taking ALA is a no-brainer,” says Tzeel.
In addition to reducing oxidative stress on the body, ALA can boost insulin sensitivity by increasing glucose uptake in muscles, says Tzeel. ALA may also help improve fasting blood glucose levels.
Talk to your healthcare team before adding ALA to your daily diabetes care regimen.
5. Berberine
Found in several types of plants, including Berberis species like barberry and goldenseal, berberine is a compound that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and ayurvedic medicine.
“I do think berberine can help people with type 2 diabetes,” says Tzeel. “I’ve seen its insulin-sensitizing effects really move the needle for A1C and fasting blood sugar levels.”
Berberine is often promoted as an herbal and more affordable alternative for GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Ozempic). The supplement is not as effective as those blockbuster drugs, but proponents claim that berberine has the potential to lower blood glucose levels, increase insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and improve overall heart health.
While research on the use of berberine in diabetes management is ongoing, it shows promise in regulating both glucose and fat metabolism.
But some experts aren’t convinced the supplement is particularly impactful. The American Diabetes Association doesn’t currently recommend berberine in its official guidelines, citing a lack of large-scale, long-term clinical trials. Anastasia Rivkin, PharmD, a diabetes specialist and a professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, says the research is encouraging, but the studies are too small to draw firm conclusions.
“It’s not something we widely recommend at this point, but it may be reasonable for some patients to explore with proper medical supervision,” says Dr. Rivkin.
Like any supplement, berberine could interact with other medications you’re already taking to manage diabetes. Consult your healthcare team before taking berberine.
6. Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that plays a crucial role in blood sugar management, supporting your body’s ability to break down glucose and your cells’ ability to use insulin.
Researchers generally support the idea of people with type 2 diabetes supplementing with magnesium, especially considering how low magnesium levels are common among people with the condition. Low magnesium levels are associated with insulin resistance, higher blood glucose levels, and a higher risk of diabetes-related complications.
While more research is needed, magnesium supplementation may improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in people with and at higher risk of diabetes, with a relatively low risk of adverse side effects.
With that said, large doses of magnesium can impact your digestive system. “If your bowels are loose after that first dose, you’re taking too much,” says Tzeel. “Everyone’s tolerance is a little different.”
Tzeel says the type of magnesium matters, too, and suggests looking into a higher quality blend of multiple types of magnesium versus supplements that contain a single type of magnesium.
Talk with your healthcare provider before you start taking magnesium.
7. Probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms that play a critical role in maintaining a healthy gut and overall digestive system. Often referred to as “good” bacteria, probiotics are most commonly known for their presence in yogurt and other fermented foods, but there are many other types of these “good” and crucial bacteria.
“The tricky thing about finding natural sources of probiotics is that they often come in foods that people either love or hate, like kimchi and sauerkraut,” says José. “Probiotic supplements can easily overcome that challenge.”
For people with type 2 diabetes, a balanced gut microbiome (the collection of microbes throughout your digestive system) supports the body’s ability to break down food effectively and reduce or prevent inflammation, all of which can also contribute to insulin sensitivity.
While more research is needed on the effects of probiotic supplementation in people with type 2 diabetes specifically, as well as specific strains and doses that prove most therapeutic, a number of studies do suggest that the addition of probiotics to one’s diet may reduce A1C and fasting blood glucose levels.
If you’re curious about adding a probiotic supplement to your diabetes care regimen, consult your healthcare provider for help in picking the right one for you.
8. Chromium
Chromium is a trace mineral that may improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in people with type 2 diabetes. Researchers believe it works by helping insulin bind to the receptors on the cells throughout your body.
“Chromium is definitely worth talking to your doctor about,” says Tzeel. “Just don’t overdo it. Too much can definitely bother your digestion. Headaches can be a side effect, too.”
Though some research supports the use of chromium for diabetes management, study results vary considerably, and we are still waiting for large, consistent, and well-designed trials to determine this supplement’s potential.
Talk to your doctor before adding chromium to your diabetes care plan.
9. Cinnamon
“Cinnamon has been truly overhyped when it comes to the claims related to diabetes,” says Tzeel. “One study years ago seemed to get a lot of good press, and it spread like wildfire, but the truth is the impact of cinnamon on your diabetes health in research is on par with all the other supplements. It’s not a magic fix for anything.”
Early research on cinnamon and diabetes suggests, with mixed results, that the spice may support improved blood sugar control. But studies on the potential effects of cinnamon supplementation in humans with diabetes are mostly older. What’s more, the variation in types of cinnamon and doses studied make it challenging to compare results and draw any clear conclusions on whether the spice supports people with diabetes.
Several studies positively associating cinnamon supplementation with diabetes management use high doses of Cassia cinnamon, which has a stronger taste than the spice commonly found in your kitchen and can be toxic if you take too much, says Tzeel. “This means you can’t just throw more cinnamon on your oatmeal to get the same benefits,” he says.
Before adding cinnamon to your daily diabetes regimen, consult your healthcare team.
The Takeaway
- Some dietary supplements, such as vitamin D, alpha-linoic acid, and berberine, show modest but consistent results in improving blood glucose control, A1C levels, and insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes.
- While the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber are backed by strong research, the benefits may be greater when these vital nutrients are part of your diet rather than taken as a supplement.
- Some supplements celebrated for diabetes management, like cinnamon and chromium, may have milder effects or mixed results.
- Always consult your healthcare team before adding any supplement to your daily regimen to ensure it doesn’t pose a risk to your personal health.
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