Diabetes Supplements: Vanadium
Vanadium is a compound found in tiny amounts in plants and animals. Early studies showed that vanadium normalized blood glucose levels in animals with type 1 and
type 2 diabetes. A recent study found that when people with
diabetes were given vanadium, they developed a modest increase in insulin sensitivity and were able to decrease their insulin requirements.
- Understand how this diabetes supplement works in the body
- Discover potential side effects
- Establish safe dosages.
Diabetes Supplements: Garlic
Garlic (
Allium sativum) is an herb used to flavor food. Garlic can also be processed and made into
dietary supplements. Garlic is used for medicinal purposes in some cultures. The chemical in garlic of most interest for health purposes is allicin, which gives garlic its strong taste and odor.
One of the claims for garlic is that the rates of certain diseases are lower in countries where a great deal of garlic is consumed. However, it has not been proven that this diabetes supplement (and not lifestyle or some other factor) is the reason.
Research Findings on Garlic
Few rigorous studies have been conducted on allicin or garlic for type 2 diabetes. Findings so far have been mixed in the diabetes research studies that have been done. There are some basic science studies that suggest that garlic has some biological activities that are relevant to the treatment of diabetes. However, scientific evidence so far does not verify that there is any benefit from this diabetes supplement.