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November is National Diabetes Month. This year’s focus is on taking care of youth who have diabetes. People with diabetes and their families sometimes wonder whether dietary supplements can help in managing this condition. For a few dietary supplements, there is weak evidence of a possible benefit. Examples include chromium for blood sugar control and alpha-lipoic acid for diabetic neuropathy. For most supplements, however, there isn’t evidence to support a beneficial effect on diabetes or its complications.
People with diabetes should talk with their health care providers before taking a dietary supplement. It’s especially important to talk with a provider if the patient is a child. Children may be more vulnerable than adults to allergic or other adverse reactions to supplements. Visit the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website for tips on helping young people create a diabetes self-care plan.
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