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Vitamin C

Also known as: ascorbic acid

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient in the human diet. In addition to myriad overall health benefits, vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and may affect diabetes and diabetic complications.

Diabetic studies revealed that duration of illness, body mass index and fasting blood glucose may have a significant and inverse relationship with serum ascorbic acid levels. DNA damage in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes may also benefit from vitamin C.

Increasing vitamin C in diabetic patients may help prevent a high level of free radicals, which are known to be associated with vascular complications of diabetes.

Vitamin C may help lower arterial blood pressure and improve arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Biotin

Also known as: vitamin B7, vitamin H

Biotin is a b-vitamin essential to the formation of fatty acids and the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Its name is derived from the Greek word bios, meaning "life".

While biotin deficiency is rare, diabetic studies with biotin supplementation have produced remarkable results. In early studies, biotin was found to help reduce insulin resistance and improve glucose tolerance.

When combined with chromium, biotin may help decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease in diabetics by helping to balance cholesterol and reduce the oxidative damage that leads to artery plaque buildup. It may also help improve blood sugar control when taken with chromium.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential nutritional element, required for enzyme activity and more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Magnesium also plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism. Individuals with type 2 diabetes are frequently found to have low blood levels of magnesium (hypomagnesemia).

Studies in diabetes show magnesium may influence the release and activity of insulin, the hormone that helps control blood glucose levels. Magnesium may help improve metabolic control of diabetes, as suggested by lower hemoglobin A1C levels.

Hypomagnesemia may worsen insulin resistance. In older adults, correcting magnesium deficiency may improve insulin response and action.

Zinc

Zinc is a trace mineral necessary to all forms of life. Zinc plays an essential role for more than 300 different enzymes and is also important in protein synthesis and cell division.

Diabetic studies have found that a higher zinc intake may be related to a slightly lower risk of type 2 diabetes in women. Zinc may regulate insulin activity and supplementation may also help decrease hyperglycemia.

Manganese

Manganese is a naturally occurring free element that acts as a cofactor in enzymatic processes and a powerful antioxidant. Manganese-activated enzymes affect carbohydrate, cholesterol and amino acid metabolism. Trace amounts of manganese are essential to all living organisms.

Manganese concentrates in cell mitochondria, and is found mostly in the pituitary gland, liver, pancreas, kidney, and bone. Signs of manganese deficiency may include impaired glucose tolerance. Deficiency may be often seen in diabetics.

Chromium

Also known as: Chromium picolinate

Chromium is a metallic mineral necessary in trace amounts. Since 1959 when chromium was identified as the element that helps insulin function correctly, it has become widely popular and studied in diabetes.

Chromium is known to enhance the action of insulin and may be directly involved in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Chromium deficiency may hinder the body's ability to use glucose for its energy needs, thus raising insulin requirements.

Diabetic studies with chromium have shown that chromium may assist impaired glucose tolerance. Supplementation may help control type 2 diabetes or the glucose and insulin responses in pre-diabetes. Vitamin C may enhance chromium absorption.

Bitter melon fruit extract

Also known as: Momordica charantia, bitter gourd, karela, balsamino

Naturally found growing on a vine in the tropics, bitter melon has been used in traditional forms of Asian medicine throughout history. Bitter melon has recently been studied for its various beneficial effects on the immune system and in diabetes control.

Studies in diabetes have found bitter melon may help lower blood glucose levels by helping to reduce fasting blood glucose and improve glucose tolerance. Bitter melon appears to mimic insulin in many ways, containing an insulin-like polypeptide, and may help increase insulin secretion from the pancreas.

Additionally, bitter melon may help inhibit glucose absorption and promote glucose utilization in the liver. Bitter melon may also help reduce some diabetic complications of the kidneys, eyes, nerves and blood vessels.

Another remarkable aspect of bitter melon, it appears to help restore and stimulate production of beta cells in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.

Guggul extract

Also known as: Commiphora wightii, Commiphora mukul, Oleogum resin, Guggal, Mukul myrrh tree

Indigenous to India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, guggul has been used traditionally over thousands of years to address cholesterol, various types of inflammation and weight control.

Diabetic studies appear to validate guggul's hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, guggul may offer significant protection against memory deficits associated with diabetes.

Gymnema Sylvestre powder

Also known as: Meshasringi, Madhinasini, madhoolika, Amudhapushpam, Chakkarakkolli, Gurmar, Tamil and Malayalam

Native to the central and southern Indian tropical forests, Gymnema sylvestre has been used for diabetes in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for over 2000 years.

Modern studies have validated this usage, demonstrating Gymnema sylvestre's promising hypoglycemic effects. Gymnema sylvestre may help increase circulating insulin levels, which helps metabolize glucose faster, resulting in healthier blood sugar levels. Gymnema sylvestre may also help reduce fasting blood sugar levels and insulin requirements.

This suggests gymnema sylvestre may enhance insulin made by the body, possibly by helping to increase the permeability of the cell membrane and regenerate or repair pancreas beta cells.

An added benefit, gymnema sylvestre may decrease serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and contribute to weight loss. When combined with vitamin C, gymnema sylvestre promotes reduction in body weight, percentage of body fat, and absolute fat mass.

Licorice bark extract

Also known as: Glycyrrhiza glabra

The licorice plant is a legume native to southern Europe and Asia and has various uses in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. It is related to the therapeutic herbs Anise, Star Anise, and Fennel and contains isoflavones that may benefit the endocrine (hormone) system.

Diabetic studies indicate that licorice extract may benefit individuals with metabolic syndrome, especially diabetes, abdominal obesity and hypertension. Licorice may help suppress abdominal fat accumulation.

Ceylon Cinnamon bark powder

Also known as: Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Cinnamon has been a highly prized botanical since ancient Chinese and Egyptian history, useful for a variety of medicinal purposes. Specifically, the bark of the evergreen cinnamon tree may be helpful for its effects on diabetes.

Diabetic studies show cinnamon bark may help lower blood sugar levels in people with poorly managed type 2 diabetes. Those with metabolic syndrome who add cinnamon may improve fasting blood glucose levels, systolic blood pressure, body fat percentage and help increase lean body mass.

Huckleberry powder

Also known as: Vaccinium ovatum, California huckleberry, evergreen huckleberry

The berries of evergreen huckleberry have been traditionally used by several tribes native to the American Northwest. High in vitamin C, the leaves have been widely used to lower blood sugar levels. The plant also contains quinic acid, a therapeutic substance used for gout.

Modern trials demonstrate huckleberry may be useful to help stabilize blood sugar levels in cases of diabetes. Huckleberry may decrease blood sugar levels shortly after administration.

Banaba (Lagerstroemia Speciosa Linn) leaf extract

Also known as: Lagerstroemia speciosa, Giant Crape-myrtle, Queen's Crape-myrtle, Banaba Plant, Pride of India

Native to tropical southern Asia, the primary active substance in the banaba tree leaf is corosolic acid. Banaba has been studied to promote blood sugar balance and weight loss.

Diabetic studies have found banaba may help reduce blood glucose and insulin levels. Banaba appears to help increase the rate of glucose uptake and other insulin-like actions. Further, banaba may also reduce total cholesterol, triglycerides, total caloric intake and body weight.

Banaba also acts as a strong antioxidant against free radicals and helps protect cell membranes. Banaba may also help maintain normal blood pressure and kidney functions.

Yarrow leaves (powdered)

Also known as: Achillea millefolium, Gordaldo, Nosebleed plant, Old Man's Pepper, Sanguinary, Milfoil, Soldier's Woundwort, Thousand-leaf, Thousand-seal

Native to the Northern Hemisphere, yarrow has several medicinal purposes and its therapeutic compounds include salicylic acid, sterols, flavonoids, bitters, and tannins.

Diabetic studies indicate yarrow acts as an antioxidant and may help reduce pancreatic damage caused by oxidative stress.

Yarrow may also support hypoglycemic activity.

Juniper Berry (powder)

The juniper berry is not a true berry, but a seed cone from the evergreen conifer. Their medicinal use dates back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

Modern studies confirm juniper berry's hypoglycemic activity. Supplementing with juniper berry may help reduce both blood glucose levels and mortality index.

Cayenne fruit

Also known as: Capsicum annuum, red hot chili pepper

Native to Mexico and Central America, cayenne is used both medicinally and to add spicy heat to food. Both properties come from cayenne's main therapeutic substance, capsaicin. Cayenne is also rich in carotenoids, vitamin A and vitamin C.

Cayenne may be helpful for weight maintenance and to help decrease insulin resistance in pre-diabetes and diabetes. Clinical trials demonstrate metabolism increases while appetite and caloric intake decrease in people who add cayenne to their diets.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Also known as: lipoic acid, thioctic acid, ALA

Alpha lipoic acid is a naturally occurring fatty acid that helps convert blood glucose into energy. Alpha lipoic acid also acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals. An essential cofactor for several biological processes including mitochondrial enzymes, alpha lipoic acid in the body decreases with age and in people with compromised health.

Diabetic studies have shown alpha lipoic acid may help to decrease DNA damage and oxidative stress caused by alcohol. When combined with aerobic exercise, alpha lipoic acid supplementation may increase vitamin E levels in the body and may inhibit lipid oxidation. Alpha lipoic acid may also increase glutathione and vitamin C levels. Adding alpha lipoic acid may also help decrease symptoms associated with diabetic neuropathy.

L- Taurine

Also known as: taurine, 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid

L-Taurine is an organic amino sulfonic acid and conditionally-essential nutrient. Taurine actually crosses the blood-brain barrier with many extraordinary effects, including its role as an antioxidant. Taurine deficiency has been observed in people with diabetes.

Diabetic studies indicate taurine has hypoglycemic properties and appears to reduce intracellular oxidative stress generation and glycooxidation. Taurine may also improve insulin sensitivity and post-prandial glucose disposal. Studies have shown taurine may be involved in the development and protection of insulin apparatus.

Taurine has shown a clinically beneficial effect on diabetic neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Interestingly, taurine may also help block the transfer of diabetes from a diabetic mother to her offspring.

Vanadyl

Also known as: vanadium, VOSO₄

Vanadyl sulfate is a form of vanadium that appears to mimic the effects of insulin. There is no dietary requirement for vanadyl sulfate, but diabetic studies have indicated positive effects with supplementation.

Vanadyl sulfate may help reduce hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Glycemic control, fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin (A1C), fructosamine, plasma total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol may all be improved with vanadyl sulfate.

Additionally, vanadyl sulfate may improve hepatic and muscle insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes. Beneficial effects on blood glucose and lipid levels may also occur when vanadyl sulfate is combined with taurine.

Vanadyl sulfate may help normalize energy consumption. It is speculated the liver may be the primary target of vanadyl sulfate's therapeutic action.