Managing blood sugar levels is important for overall health, especially for individuals with diabetes. One way to help lower A1C levels is by incorporating supplements into your daily routine. These supplements can help improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels.
You may be surprised at first to see what one serving looks like, especially of high-carb items like cereal, rice, and pasta. Vitamin D may improve the function of pancreatic cells that make insulin and increase your body’s responsiveness to insulin. It’s a good idea to do regular blood sugar checks before and after working out.
Certain drugs — such as antacids and others prescribed for heartburn — can reduce chromium absorption. Vitamin D may trigger mild to moderate reactions with several types of medications, so ask your doctor or pharmacist for guidance. Ginseng can decrease the effectiveness of warfarin, a blood thinner, so avoid this combination. It may also stimulate your immune system, which could interfere with immunosuppressant drugs.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant that can help lower A1C levels by improving insulin sensitivity. It also has the ability to reduce inflammation in the body, which can further benefit those with diabetes.
She completed undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia with a B.S. In Biology, medical school at Jefferson Medical College, and internal medicine residency and cardiovascular diseases fellowship at the George Washington University Hospital. Her professional interests include preventive cardiology, medical journalism, and health policy.
The researchers concluded that berberine-based therapy regulated blood glucose and alleviated insulin resistance. A 2014 review found favorable effects of chromium supplementation on glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Be careful about how gymnema might interact with other blood sugar-lowering medications. If you’re taking gymnema and insulin at the same time, for instance, your blood sugar could potentially run too low. There may be a risk of hypoglycemia, or extremely low blood sugar, when taken with insulin.
There was a statistically significant mean difference in PPG of 11.46 mg/dL between the experimental and control groups (43). In an RCT of 60 patients with type 2 diabetes, FPG and PPG decreased by 16 and 18%, respectively, after taking 1 g daily of ivy gourd extract for 90 days (44). The preliminary evidence suggests that there is a potential role for ivy gourd in individuals with diabetes. If you’ve had gestational diabetes, your health care provider will likely check your blood sugar levels at least once every three years.
I’ve been living with type 1 diabetes for over 20 years, and my A1c is not something I think about in my daily life. Someone with significant hypoglycemia unawareness and a history of severe lows should target a higher A1c than someone who can detect and manage their lows more effectively. “A1c goals should be individualized based on the individual capabilities, risks, and prior experiences. For athletes, too many lows can limit performance, for someone who is pregnant it should be less than 6.0 percent, for an older person the target should be higher. “The A1c target should be whatever is best given the person’s clinical situation. It’s slightly different for newly diagnosed patients, but, in general, no one should try to go from an A1c of 10 percent to 6 percent quickly.
Cinnamon
Studies have shown that cinnamon can help lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. Including cinnamon in your diet or taking it as a supplement can be beneficial for managing A1C levels.
Berberine
Berberine is a compound found in certain plants that has been shown to lower blood sugar levels by increasing glucose uptake in cells. It can also improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation in the body.
Chromium
Chromium is a mineral that plays a key role in regulating blood sugar levels. Taking chromium supplements can help improve insulin sensitivity and lower A1C levels in individuals with diabetes.
Before adding any supplements to your routine, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider to ensure they are safe and appropriate for your individual needs. Additionally, combining these supplements with a healthy diet and regular exercise can further enhance their effectiveness in lowering A1C levels.
