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Published on: August 14, 2013
Nutritional supplements and their effect on glucose control
Tanya Lee1, Jean-Jacques Dugoua
1The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, 400 Main Street East #210, Milton, ON, L9T 1P7, Canada. tanyalee.nd@gmail.com
Current Diabetes Reports
|February 8, 2011
Summary
Nutritional supplements like vitamins C and E may help manage type 2 diabetes. Always consult your doctor about potential interactions before starting any new supplement regimen.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes is a significant global health issue.
- Nutritional supplement use among type 2 diabetes patients ranges widely (8-49%).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent scientific literature on nutritional supplements for type 2 diabetes treatment and prevention.
- To identify supplements with potential therapeutic benefits.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive search of twelve databases for studies published within the last three years.
- Extraction and synthesis of data on supplement efficacy and safety.
Main Results:
- Vitamins C and E, alpha-lipoic acid, melatonin, red mold, emodin, astragalus, and cassia cinnamon show potential benefits.
- Beta-carotene was found ineffective for type 2 diabetes prevention.
- Evidence spans preclinical to clinical studies.
Conclusions:
- Nutritional supplements may play a role in type 2 diabetes management.
- Further research is warranted to confirm efficacy and optimal usage.
- Healthcare providers must assess drug-supplement interactions.
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