The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
4 User Reviews
Posted by Larry (Fairfax, Va) on 08/27/2015
It's been purported that R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA) can significantly lower & stabilize blood sugar in diabetics. ( I do not take insulin.) I started to take 500 mg, a half hour before meals and I started to feel very tired; I thought the R-ALA was causing hypoglycemia; upon eating something sweet, my energy came back. Has anybody had such an experience with the R-ALA?
Replied by Cjuan
(Asia)
05/13/2016
Replied by Rsw
(Oh)
05/14/2016
Replied by Don
(Malibu, Ca)
06/13/2020
Supplements
Posted by Herbalistjd (Albuquerque, NM) on 07/13/2015
Type 2 diabetes results from a chromium deficiency--this is why insulin receptors close and the body cannot utilize its own insulin properly
My recommendation for Type 2 diabetes is 200mcg of chromium polynicotinate (NOT picolinate) 3 to 4 times daily with food, and magnesium malate 300mg 3 times daily with food.
Combined, these supplements will help to restore insulin sensitivity (which was lost in the early stages of diabetes) by opening the insulin receptors.
Supplements
Posted by Nanowriter (Hotspot, Texas) on 01/31/2014
Some supplements that help regulate blood sugar are bitter melon, cinnamon, and chromium.
Chromium is a trace mineral that governs the blood sugar mechanism. I think a lack of it leads to gradual weight gain and a more profound lack leads to diabetes over time. Try upping all your trace minerals and investigate what people have to say about bitter melon on amazon.
Supplements
Posted by Becca (Abilene, Tx) on 01/31/2014
★★★★★
There is a lot of medical research that shows 1200 to 1800 mg per day of alpha lipoic acid stabilizes blood sugar but cautions that if you are already on insulin, you must check your readings often as you will probably have to decrease your insulin as the ALA stabilizes your body. There are many wonderful effects from ALA...decreased blood pressure, decreased joint pain, significant decrease in neuropathy pain, a wonderful sense of well being (lessens or eliminates depression), among others. I have been on it for three weeks and no longer take BP meds and have just finished weaning off my thyroid meds. I check my blood sugar once a day and it has decreased...was told I was pre diabetic...and I haven't felt the need for an anti depressant in over two weeks. I take a specific brand that is 300 mg and is sustained release. since starting this supplement, along with some others, I feel better than I have in years? Good luck.
Supplements
Posted by Jolene (Albuquerque, Nm) on 01/04/2014
★★★★★
For blood sugar, research mulberry leaf tea and the dried mulberries as a way to remove much sugar from the blood. This was reported on Dr. Oz and I have noticed that mulberry leaf is included in many formulas for controlling the damaging symptoms of diabetes. Chromium, which appears naturally in brewer's yeast, or in supplement form and gymnema sylvestre are other supplements that help balance blood sugar levels in diabetics. I have used all of these as well as alpha lipoic acid and bitter melon to manage diabetes for over 25 years and my blood sugar usually never goes over 100.
Supplements
Posted by Art (Tustin, Ca.usa) on 12/13/2012
Melatonin has been shown in multiple studies to help with blood sugar and related issues among many other health benefits. Melatonin has a very good safety profile and is naturally produced by the human body. Production of melatonin appears to decline with age. Here is an abstract that briefly discusses some of the blood sugar related benefits of melatonin:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22079284
Here is a study that describes a dose schedule that was used in a positive human study of melatonin for liver issues:
http://www.jpp.krakow.pl/journal/archive/02_12/pdf/35_02_12_article.pdf
I think they used a dose of 5mg at 9:00 am and 5mg at 9:00 pm, but I have seen other studies where significantly more melatonin was used such as this one where a total of 70mg was given each day for at least 9 months:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21515247
N acetyl cysteine (NAC) is another common supplement that has also shown benefit for hyperglycemia and its related complications and again with a fairly good safety profile. Both of these supplements are protective of multiple areas of the human body and are readilly available online or in vitamin stores in the states and might be worth considering as an addition to your doctors treatment plan if your doctor approves them for your husband.
Best wishes. Art
Supplements
Posted by TERRI (LEHIGH ACRES, FL) on 05/23/2009
Ted mentioned tungsten for diabetes/sugar. does anyone know where it can be purchased. i have searched the internet to no avail. thanks.
Supplements
Posted by Steve (Los Angeles) on 03/04/2007
★★★★★
I have been taking about 2000mg of vitamin c in the morning and evening. the problems I have had with my feet has all but disappeared. I have had numbing or tingling in my feet. I do not know if this is from physical injuries too them or from type 2 diabetes or both but I feel the Vitamin C has helped alkaline my system.
