Diabetes mellitus, often referred as diabetes, is a metabolic disease in which the body does not produce enough or respond normally to insulin, causing blood glucose levels to be abnormally high. The process of digestion involves the breaking down of food into various nutrient molecules. When carbohydrate is consumed, our body breaks it down into smaller glucose units readily absorbed by intestines. When glucose travels into bloodstream, it needs a transport protein to get into its final destination where it is needed, which is inside the mitochondria in our cells. This transport protein is insulin. The hormone insulin moves sugar from the blood into cells to be stored or used for energy or fuel. This disease results in a buildup of extra sugar in the bloodstream, giving rise to serious consequences, bringing damage to organs and tissues – including heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves.

There are two underlying causes for diabetes. It is either the pancreas does not manufacture enough insulin, or the insulin produced is sufficient but the body’s cells do not respond to it. Here in this article we will discuss about the health supplements that help to control blood glucose levels by either stimulating production of insulin/ insulin sensitivity, or slowing the absorption of glucose, thereby reducing the likelihood of blood sugar spike and keeping the blood sugar level stable.

Sensitize and Stimulate Insulin Activity/ Production

In diabetic patients, the body’s cells do not allow insulin to work as it should to let glucose enter into its cells. In this scenario, the body's cells have become resistant to insulin. Pancreas cannot keep up and make enough insulin to overcome this resistance. Glucose levels therefore rise in the bloodstream.

The supplements mentioned below help to sensitize insulin so it could go on and function as it should, and/or stimulate insulin production.

Royal Jelly

Royal jelly exhibits an insulin-like activity¹—an insulin-like protein molecule had been extracted from royal jelly and it is physiologically similar to insulin of vertebrates in terms of solubility, chromatographic, immunological, and biological characteristics. Healthy adults who consumed a single high oral dose of royal jelly immediately before oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) demonstrated significantly lowered glucose level¹.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) increased insulin-mediated glucose transport by 65%, provoked a 26% upsurge in insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis and a 33% enhancement of insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation². Scientists believe that alpha lipoic acid helps to lower blood sugar by promoting processes that can remove fat that has accumulated in muscle cells, which otherwise desensitize insulin³.

ALA is a valuable therapeutic option for diabetic neuropathy. When evaluated with currently licensed analgesic drugs, ALA is better tolerated, has a more rapid onset of action, and enhances paraesthesiae, numbness, sensory deficits, and muscle strength in addition to neuropathic pain⁴. In clinical practice, ALA may be preferred in patients with early neuropathic deficits and symptoms, in whom clinical improvement is more likely⁴. ALA should also be considered when comorbidities render other analgesics less appropriate or in the presence of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy⁴.

Moringa

The plant has reported being effective in improving the lipid profile and blood glucose level of type II diabetic patients by lowering the LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol), triglycerides, and fasting and post prandial blood glucose levels⁵. Moringa oleifera leaves powder in the diet reduces blood sugar with concomitant improvement in glucose tolerance and diabetic symptoms⁵.

One small study showed that taking 1.5 teaspoons of moringa leaf powder every day for three months reduced fasting blood sugar levels by 13.5%, on average⁶.

Green Tea

Green Tea Extract (50% EGCG) supplies numerous bioactive compounds, including Polyphenols and Catechins, that are known to protect against oxidative stress, aid weight loss and supply energy for better sports/tasks performance. Laboratory studies have suggested that EGCG may have improved glucose control and better insulin activity. In a retrospective cohort study conducted in Japan, a 33% risk reduction of developing type 2 diabetes was observed in people consuming six or more cups of green tea daily compared to those consuming less than 1 cup per week⁷.

Slow Carbohydrate Absorption

The digestion process breaks down carbohydrate into tiny glucose subunits bringing about the upsurge of blood glucose level. Uncontrolled long term sugar rush can cause diabetes complications.

The supplements mentioned below lower the blood sugar levels by slowing down the rate at which food moves through our gut and is absorbed gradually.

African Mango

Irvingia gabonensis seeds delay stomach emptying, leading to a more progressive absorption of dietary sugar⁸. This effect can reduce the elevation of blood sugar levels that is common after a meal.

Beta Glucan

The effect of beta-glucans to reduce blood glucose could be mediated possibly by delaying stomach emptying so that dietary glucose is absorbed more steadily^9,10. Because it is a soluble fiber, beta glucan slows down food transit in the intestines. This means that it takes longer for the body to digest food. Slower digestion means the body does not take in sugar as quickly, reducing the likelihood of blood sugar spikes and helping keep blood sugar levels stable¹⁰.

Inulin

Inulin slows digestion, including the digestion of carbohydrates. This ensures sugar to be released slowly without spiking, which promotes healthy blood sugar levels.

In a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, they found that supplementation with inulin helped to lower fasting blood sugar, reduce fasting insulin, and improve good (HDL) cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes¹¹.

A 2015 study revealed that inulin might benefit people with prediabetes. It can act as a potential blood sugar stabilizer when present in the diet over a long period of time¹². Inulin was associated with a significant increase in (0-30 min) incremental AUC (iAUC) for insulin and (0-60 min) iAUC for insulin compared to control¹².

Fenugreek

Fenugreek appears to slow absorption of sugars in the stomach and stimulate insulin. Both of these effects lower blood sugar in people with diabetes.

Studies have shown that fenugreek supplements can reduce blood sugar levels and hemoglobin A1c — a marker of long-term blood sugar control — in people with diabetes¹². During the study period, monthly fasting blood glucose levels and HbA1C levels were assessed. At 5th month, the fasting sugar in the study group was 146 ± 25.80 while it was 155.65 ± 24.84 in control group. In the 6th month, HbA1C of the study group is 5.78 ± 1.56 and that of the control group is 6.96 ± 2.02¹³.

Conclusion

A healthy diet, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight are the first, and often of the times, most important part of diabetes remedy. Synergized with the supplements to help keep blood sugar at bay as mentioned here, we can improve the management of diabetes and its complications for people living with it. However, supplements should not be used to replace standard diabetes treatment and please always talk to your doctor.

References:

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3. Akbari M, Ostadmohammadi V, Lankarani KB, Tabrizi R, Kolahdooz F, Khatibi SR, Asemi Z. The effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on glucose control and lipid profiles among patients with metabolic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Metabolism. 2018 Oct; 87:56-69.
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