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Supplements for blood sugar control

Berberine, inositols, ALA, cinnamon — what works, what doesn't.

Berberine 500 mg three times daily reduces HbA1c by ~0.7% in trials — comparable to low-dose metformin. Myo-inositol restores ovulation and improves insulin sensitivity in PCOS. Alpha-lipoic acid has neuropathy and modest glucose data. Cinnamon (Ceylon) has small, inconsistent effects. Bitter melon, gymnema, and fenugreek have limited evidence. CRITICAL: combining glucose-lowering supplements with insulin or sulfonylureas raises hypoglycemia risk substantially — adjust meds only with your prescriber.
98
Electrolyte replacement (clinical)
Hydration · Exercise · Heat illness
Tier 1
94
Psyllium husk (soluble fibre)
Cholesterol · Gut regularity · Glucose
Tier 1
94
Oat beta-glucan (cholesterol)
LDL cholesterol · FDA health claim · Soluble fibre · Heart health · Evidence
Tier 2
89
Fibre (general dietary)
Gut · Heart · Glucose
Tier 2
88
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine, clinical)
Neurology · Alcohol recovery · Energy
Tier 2
86
Psyllium husk (Plantago ovata)
Cholesterol · Gut · Glucose
Tier 2
82
Magnesium
Sleep · Cognition · Metabolic
Tier 1
79
Inositol myo-form (PCOS/metabolic)
PCOS · Insulin sensitivity · Ovulation
Tier 2
78
Glycine
Sleep · Collagen synthesis · Metabolic
Tier 2
76
Resistant starch (prebiotic)
Gut microbiome · Glucose · Satiety
Tier 2
76
Cluster dextrin (HBCD)
Intra-workout fuel · Endurance · Gastric emptying
Tier 2
75
Myo-inositol
PCOS · Metabolic · Mental health
Tier 2
74
Benfotiamine (fat-soluble B1)
Neuropathy · AGE prevention · B1 bioavailability
Tier 2
72
Benfotiamine
Neuropathy · AGEs · Glucose metabolism
Tier 2
72
D-Chiro Inositol
PCOS · Insulin sensitivity · Ovulation · 40:1 ratio · Hormone balance
Tier 2
71
CoQ10 (ubiquinone, classic form)
Mitochondrial · Antioxidant · Statin users · Converts to ubiquinol
Tier 2
70
Glucomannan (konjac root)
Weight management · Cholesterol · Fibre
Tier 2
69
Amalaki/Amla (Emblica officinalis, standardised)
Ayurveda · Antioxidant · Vitamin C source
Tier 2
69
Capsinoids (CH-19 sweet pepper)
Weight management · Thermogenesis · Metabolic
Tier 2
68
Taurine
Cardiovascular · Metabolic · Aging
Tier 2
68
Taurine (cardiac and metabolic)
Cardiovascular · Metabolic · Aging
Tier 2
66
Fenugreek seed extract (Testofen / standardised)
Libido · Blood sugar · Lactation
Tier 2
65
Curcumin (bioavailable form)
Inflammation · OA · Metabolic
Tier 2
64
Milk thistle (Silymarin)
Liver protection · NAFLD
Tier 2
64
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
Cognitive aging · Neuropathy
Tier 2
Educational reference, not medical advice. Discuss any supplement change with a qualified clinician before acting on this list.
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