Diabetes Supplements (Cont.)

 
Side Effects and Other Risks of Garlic
Garlic is safe for most adults. However, garlic appears to interact with various types of drugs. For example, when combined with certain medicines used to treat HIV/AIDS (saquinavir and NNRTIs), garlic may decrease their effectiveness. Garlic may also interact with and affect the action of:
 
  • Medications that are broken down by the liver
  • Blood thinners (including warfarin)
  • Cyclosporine
  • Birth control pills.
     
Other possible side effects of garlic include:
 
  • Stomach disorders
  • An odor on the breath or skin
  • Diarrhea
  • Skin rash
  • An allergic reaction.
     

Diabetes Supplements: Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3s, for short) are a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids that come from food such as:
 
As possible natural remedies for diabetes, omega-3s are marketed as capsules or oils, often as fish oil.
 
Omega-3s are important in several bodily functions, including:
 
  • Moving calcium and other substances in and out of cells
  • Digestion
  • Fertility
  • Growth
  • Cell division
  • Blood clotting
  • Relaxation and contraction of muscles.
     
Omega-3s have been the subject of much attention in recent years because of studies finding they may be useful for such purposes as:
 
Some countries and organizations have issued formal recommendations on the intake of omega-3s through:
 
  • Meals
  • Oils
  • Supplementation.
     
Omega-3s have mainly been of interest as diabetes supplements because having the condition increases a person's risk for heart disease and stroke.
(Diabetes Supplements Continued: Page 6)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD