Type 1 Diabetes
Also indexed as:Diabetes, Type 1
Also known as childhood-onset
diabetes, type 1 diabetes requires regular blood sugar tests and medical intervention. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
- Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
- Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
- For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
| Supplement | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
|
Alpha Lipoic Acid
|
600 to 1,200 mg a day |
[3 stars]
Supplementing with alpha lipoic acid may protect against diabetic complications, such as nerve and kidney damage. |
|
Cayenne Topical
(Diabetic Neuropathy) |
Apply an ointment containing 0.025 to 0.075% capsaicin four times per day to areas of nerve pain |
[3 stars]
Topically applied capsaicin (from cayenne) has been shown to relieve symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. |
|
Chromium
|
200 mcg daily |
[3 stars]
Chromium has been shown to help improve glucose tolerance in people with type 1 diabetes. |
|
Fibre
|
30 grams daily |
[3 stars]
Taking fibre supplements may help to stabilise your blood sugar. |
|
Magnesium
|
200 to 600 mg daily |
[3 stars]
People with type 1 diabetes tend to have low magnesium levels, supplementing with the mineral may reduce the risk of deficiency-related problems, such as eye damage and neuropathy. |
|
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
(Diabetic Neuropathy) |
500 to 1,000 mg three times per day |
[2 stars]
Taking acetyl-L-carnitine may improve symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. |
|
Bilberry
|
160 mg twice per day of a herbal extract containing 25% anthocyanosides |
[2 stars]
Bilberry may lower the risk of some diabetic complications, such as diabetic cataracts and retinopathy. |
|
Biotin
|
16 mg daily |
[2 stars]
Biotin may improve glucose levels and reduce pain from diabetic nerve damage. |
|
Gymnema
|
800 mg per day of a herbal extract standardised for 25% gymnemic acids |
[2 stars]
Gymnema may help normalise blood sugar control in people with type 1 diabetes. |
|
L-Carnitine
|
0.25 mg per 2.2 lbs (1 kg) of body weight |
[2 stars]
Supplementing with L-carnitine may reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with diabetes. |
|
Onion
|
20 grams fresh onion three times per day |
[2 stars]
Large amounts of onion have been shown to lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, possibly by blocking the breakdown of insulin in the liver. |
|
Vitamin B1
|
25 mg daily, with 50 mg of vitamin B6 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. |
|
Vitamin B3
|
Consult a qualified doctor |
[2 stars]
Taking vitamin B3 (as niacin or niacinamide) might prevent or limit the severity of type 1 diabetes in your family. |
|
Vitamin B6
|
1,800 mg daily of of pyridoxine alpha-ketoglutarate or 50 mg daily pyridoxine |
[2 stars]
People with diabetes often have low vitamin B6 levels. Supplementing with the vitamin may restore levels and improve glucose tolerance. |
|
Vitamin C
|
500 mg twice per day |
[2 stars]
Supplementing with vitamin C may benefit people with type 1 diabetes in a few ways, including by reducing sorbitol levels, urinary protein loss, glycosylation, and eye damage. |
|
Vitamin D
|
Consult a qualified doctor |
[2 stars]
Vitamin D is needed to maintain adequate insulin levels, and supplementing with it may reduce the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. |
|
Vitamin E
(Diabetic Nephropathy) |
900 to 1,800 IU daily |
[2 stars]
Vitamin E supplementation may protect against diabetic neuropathy. |
|
Vitamin E
(Diabetic Retinopathy) |
1800 IU daily |
[2 stars]
Supplementing with vitamin E may combat free radicals associated with diabetic retinopathy. |
|
Zinc
|
Consult a qualified doctor |
[2 stars]
Supplementing with zinc may lower blood sugar levels and improve immune function in people with type 1 diabetes. |
|
Açaí
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
Açaí is reported to be a traditional remedy for diabetes. |
|
Amylase Inhibitors
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
Amylase inhibitors, when given with a starchy meal, can reduce the usual rise in blood sugar levels of people with diabetes. |
|
Asian Ginseng
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
Asian ginseng is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes. |
|
Co-Enzyme Q10
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
Supplementing with CoQ10 may improve blood sugar metabolism. |
|
Evening Primrose Oil
|
See Learn More for details |
[1 star]
Evening primrose oil has been associated with improved diabetic neuropathy. However, the principal investigator who conducted these clinical trials was found to have falsified research results, so whether EPO or GLA is of any value for neuropathy is still unknown.
|
|
Fenugreek
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
Fenugreek seeds are high in soluble fibre, which helps lower blood sugar by slowing down carbohydrate digestion and absorption. |
|
Fish Oil
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
Supplementing with fish oil may improve glucose tolerance and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy and nephropathy. |
|
Ginkgo
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
The herb ginkgo may help prevent and treat early-stage diabetic nerve damage. |
|
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. |
|
Hibiscus
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
Hibiscus is a traditional remedy in India for diabetes, and is supported by preliminary research. |
|
Inositol
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
Supplementing with inositol may improve diabetic neuropathy. |
|
Manganese
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
People with diabetes may have low manganese levels, which can contribute to glucose intolerance. Supplementing with the mineral may help. |
|
Mistletoe
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
Mistletoe extract has been shown to stimulate insulin release from pancreas cells, and it may reduce diabetes symptoms. |
|
Olive Leaf
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
Olive leaf extracts have been used experimentally to lower high blood sugar in diabetic animals |
|
Quercetin
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
Quercetin may be helpful for its ability to reduce levels of sorbitol—a sugar that accumulates in cells and damages the nerves, kidneys, and eyes of people with diabetes. |
|
Reishi
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
Reishi may have some beneficial action in people with diabetes. |
|
Sea Buckthorn
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
Animal and preliminary research suggests a connection between sea buckthorn and improved measures of blood sugar control.
|
|
Selenium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
A combination of the anti-oxidants selenium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E has been shown to improve diabetic retinopathy. |
|
Selenium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E
(Diabetic Retinopathy) |
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
Antioxident nutrients including selenium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E may combat free radicals associated with diabetic retinopathy. |
|
Taurine
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
People with type 1 diabetes tend to have low taurine levels, a condition that increases the risk of heart disease. Supplementing with taurine may restore levels. |
|
Vitamin B12
|
Refer to label instructions |
[1 star]
Supplementing with vitamin B12 may improve symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. |
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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2013.
