Supplement | Amount | Why |
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Alpha-Lipoic Acid | 600 to 1,200 mg daily | [3 stars] Supplementing with alpha-lipoic acid may improve the symptoms of diabetic nerve damage (neuropathy). |
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Cayenne Topical (Diabetic Neuropathy) | Apply an ointment containing 0.025 to 0.075% capsaicin four times daily to areas of nerve pain | [3 stars] Topically applied capsaicin (from cayenne) has been shown to relieve symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. |
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Magnesium | 200 to 600 mg daily | [3 stars] People with type 1 diabetes tend to have low magnesium levels and supplementing with magnesium may reduce the risk of deficiency-related problems, such as eye damage and neuropathy. |
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Vitamin B12 | 1,500 micrograms daily | [3 stars] Supplementing with vitamin B12 may improve symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. |
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Vitamin B6 | 100 to 200 mg vitamin B6 daily | [3 stars] People with diabetes may have an increased need for vitamin B6. Supplementing with the vitamin may help maintain normal levels and prevent type 1 diabetes complications. |
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Vitamin D | Many doctors recommend a dose of 2,000 to 4,000 IU vitamin D daily, especially in the winter months | [3 stars] Vitamin D is needed to support healthy immune and pancreatic function. Supplementing with vitamin D may improve blood sugar control in those with type 1 diabetes, especially in those with low vitamin D levels. |
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Acetyl-L-Carnitine (Diabetic Neuropathy) | 500 to 1,000 mg three times daily | [2 stars] Taking acetyl-L-carnitine may improve symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. |
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Bilberry | 160 mg twice daily of an herbal extract containing 25% anthocyanosides | [2 stars] Bilberry may lower the risk of some diabetic complications, such as diabetic cataracts and retinopathy. |
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Biotin | 16 mg daily | [2 stars] Biotin may improve glucose levels and reduce pain from diabetic nerve damage. |
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Chromium | 200 mcg daily | [2 stars] Chromium has been shown to help improve glucose tolerance in people with type 1 diabetes. |
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Coenzyme Q10 | 100 mg daily | [2 stars] Supplementing with CoQ10 may improve blood sugar metabolism. |
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Fenugreek | 3 tablespoons of fenugreek powder with each meal | [2 stars] Fenugreek seeds are high in soluble fiber, which helps lower blood sugar by slowing down carbohydrate digestion and absorption. |
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Fiber | Refer to label instructions
| [2 stars] Taking fiber supplements may help to stabilize your blood sugar. |
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Fish Oil | 1,000 mg combined omega-3 fatty acids from fish, or 660 mg EPA alone, daily | [2 stars] Fish oil and its omega-3 fatty acid EPA may improve blood sugar control and help prevent complications of type 1 diabetes. |
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Gymnema | 400 mg daily | [2 stars] Gymnema may help normalize blood sugar control in people with type 1 diabetes. |
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L-Carnitine | 1,500 to 2,000 mg daily | [2 stars] Supplementing with acetyl l-carnitine may reduce symptoms of diabetic neuropathy in people with type 1 diabetes. |
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Sea Buckthorn | Refer to label instructions
| [2 stars] Animal and preliminary research suggests a connection between sea buckthorn and improved measures of blood sugar control.
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Selenium | 100 to 200 micrograms daily | [2 stars] Selenium is an important antioxidant that, along with other antioxidant supplements, may help prevent complications in people with type 1 diabetes. |
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Taurine | 500 mg three times daily | [2 stars] Supplementing with taurine has been found to improve blood vessel function in people with type 1 diabetes. |
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Vitamin B1 | 25 mg vitamin B1 with 50 mg of vitamin B6 daily or 600 mg lipid-soluble thiamine (benfotiamine) daily | [2 stars] People with type 1 diabetes may be deficient in vitamin B1. Supplementing with vitamin B1 may restore levels and improve symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. |
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Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner | [2 stars] Taking vitamin B3 (as niacin or niacinamide) might prevent or limit the severity of type 1 diabetes. |
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Vitamin C | 1,000 mg vitamin C plus 400 IU vitamin E daily | [2 stars] Supplementing with vitamin C may benefit people with type 1 diabetes by preventing free radical damage and protecting blood vessels. |
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Vitamin E (Diabetic Retinopathy) | 1800 IU daily | [2 stars] Supplementing with vitamin E may combat free radicals associated with diabetic retinopathy. |
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Vitamin E (Diabetic Nephropathy) | 900 to 1,800 IU daily | [2 stars] Vitamin E supplementation may protect against diabetic neuropathy. |
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Açaí | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Açaí is rich in antioxidants and has been used traditionally to treat diabetes. |
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Amylase Inhibitors | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Amylase inhibitors, taken with meals, may reduce the usual rise in blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. |
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Asian Ginseng | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Asian ginseng is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes. |
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Evening Primrose Oil | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Evening primrose oil may relieve nerve pain in those with type 1 diabetes. |
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Ginkgo | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Ginkgo may improve metabolism and help prevent complications of type 1 diabetes. |
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Glucomannan | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Glucomannan delays stomach emptying, leading to more gradual sugar absorption and possibly lowering insulin requirements for people with type 1 diabetes. |
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Hibiscus | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Hibiscus is a traditional remedy in India for diabetes. |
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Inositol | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Supplementing with inositol may improve diabetic neuropathy. |
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Manganese | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Supplementing with manganese may increase antioxidant defenses and improve blood sugar control in those with type 1 diabetes. |
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Mistletoe | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Mistletoe extract has been found to stimulate insulin release from pancreas cells and improve health in animal models of diabetes. |
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Olive Leaf | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Olive leaf extracts have been shown to improve blood sugar control in animals with diabetes. |
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Onion | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Research in laboratory animals suggests onion and its active constituents may lower blood glucose levels, raise insulin levels, reduce advanced glycation end-product (AGE) formation, and possibly prevent diabetes complications. |
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Quercetin | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Quercetin has been found to improve blood sugar control and prevent complications of diabetes in animal research. |
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Reishi | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Reishi may improve immune function and has demonstrated benefits in diabetic animals. |
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Selenium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E (Diabetic Retinopathy) | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Antioxidant nutrients including selenium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E may combat free radicals associated with diabetic retinopathy. |
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Zinc | 15 mg daily | [1 star] Supplementing with zinc may lower blood sugar levels and improve immune function in people with type 1 diabetes. |
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