Best supplements for diabetes: The 10p a day supplement proven to lower blood sugar

Type 2 diabetes is a condition that causes the body to struggle to produce enough insulin. This can result in a dangerous rise of blood sugar levels. If type 2 diabetes is left untreated, the complications that can occur include kidney problems, nerve damage and heart attack. In order to keep blood sugar levels in check, studies have proven supplements can help.

One supplement proven to lower blood sugar is cinnamon

One supplement proven to lower blood sugar is cinnamon.

Cinnamon supplements are either made from whole cinnamon powder or an extract.

There have been many studies to suggest it helps lower blood sugar and improve diabetes control.

One study involving pre-diabetics saw participants take 250mg of cinnamon extract before breakfast and dinner for three months.

They experienced an 8.4 per cent decrease in fasting blood sugar compared to those on a placebo. 

Another three-month study saw type 2 diabetics who either took 130 or 360mg of cinnamon extract before breakfast have an 11 per cent or 14 per cent decrease in fasting blood sugar compared to those on a placebo.

Alongside lowering blood sugar, cinnamon has been found to be an effective anti-inflammatory, to have antibacterial properties and to help maintain heart health.

When it comes to dosage, Holland & Barrett recommends the following: “In general, cinnamon is safe, but it’s important to know which type of cinnamon you are taking.

“Cassia cinnamon – each teaspoon of this cinnamon contains 5g of coumarin, a plant compound that can damage the liver if taken in large amounts.

“For this reason, the European Food Safety Authority has set safe daily limits – with up to 2g (1tsp) of cinnamon cassia recommended daily.

“Ceylon cinnamon – this contains only trace amounts of coumarin, so can be consumed in larger amounts of up to 5g (2.5tsp) a day.”

The high street health store adds you ghouls avoid taking cinnamon supplements if you are pregnant or a child or taking medications that can affect the liver, such as paracetamol or statins.

The NHS recommends making simple lifestyle changes to help lower blood sugar.

When it comes to diet, there’s nothing you can’t eat, but you should eat a wide range of foods and keep sugar, fat and salt to a minimum. A certain sweet treat has been found to lower blood sugar. 

You should also be sure to regularly exercise, and aim to do 2.5 hours of activity a week.

The health body states you can active anywhere, so long as what you’re doing gets you out of breath, for example fast walking, climbing stairs or doing more strenuous housework or gardening.

Source: Read Full Article