Nutritional Supplements That Support Diabetes Management

If you have diabetes, or are at risk for developing it, make sure you are getting in a full complement of the nutrients that enhance diabetes management.

Talk to your doctor or diabetes educator about your diet to determine whether you are getting enough of eight nutrients that aid glucose control, and protect against complications. Deficiencies can be addressed by dietary changes, or by taking a nutritional supplement.

Chromium ramps-up insulin’s efficiency so less of it is needed to transport blood sugar into our cells. It helps stabilize blood glucose levels, lowers insulin levels, reduces LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and boosts HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Our pancreas compensates for chromium deficiency by manufacturing more insulin.

Guar gum is a plant fiber available as a supplement. Sugar molecules attach to the fiber slowing sugar’s release into the bloodstream—making life less stressful for our pancreas. The dietary fiber from our food provides the same service, but most of us do not consume enough fruits and veggies daily to significantly affect our blood sugar.




Vitamin C deficiencies can occur when insulin levels are low because our cells utilize insulin to absorb vitamin C. All of us need our daily requirement of this vitamin for cell growth and repair, and a strong immune system.

Vanadium aids in the regulation of blood sugar, and helps reduce elevated glucose levels. It is good for lowering cholesterol and might be useful in preventing and treating atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Vitamin E helps prevent nerve cell deterioration and protects our cell linings from free radical damage—two problems that can occur with diabetes.

Selenium works with vitamin E to support our immune system, helping us ward off illness and infections.

Zinc helps with glucose absorption and enhances immune system functioning. People with a zinc deficiency are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes.




B-complex vitamins prevent and treat disorders of our nerves (neuropathy) and problems with our eye’s retina (retinopathy). Getting plenty of B vitamins also helps our body manage stress and diminish it’s impact.

If you use nutritional supplements, be sure to buy them from reputable companies and check the expiration dates to make sure they are fresh and at full potency.

Source: Five Element Healing
Photo credit: Ashleigh W