anybody use otc/supplements in regimen

[nyhockey111]

any geeback on vinegar or cinnamin to help lower glucose or anything else non prescription..thanks

[xMenace]

Cod Liver Oil and Folic Acid

[Dan Gato]

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
Flaxseed
Primrose oil -gelcaps, very inexpensive
Q-10

Sometimes vinegar & cinnamon for flavoring
but more research is needed to see any significant effects on lowering BG's.
Your prescription medicines are more effective than vinegar & cinnamon, but then, we also have
the plazebo effect, & faith & trust on supplements.
meditation & stress control also help.

[MJB]

Vodka. :thumbsup:

Well I also take a multivitamin, fish oil and metamucil. Not so much for BG but for general health.

I've been wondering about the Q10 since I take Lipitor. :confused:

[hannahanne]

I take cinnamon. Studies have been done which indicate that cinnamon does lower blood sugar. Whether it really helps me or not, I not sure, but I take it.

[princesslinda]

I take 4 cinnamon tablets daily, two chromium 500 mcg tablets, fish oil tablets and a one-a-day for women multivitamin.

[FTW]

Multivitamin x 1
Omega 3 1000 mg x 2
Alpha Lipoic Acid 200 mg x 1 (Jan. 8)
Cinammon 500 mg x 2 (Jan. 8)

I started the ALA and cinammon on Jan. 8. Historically my FG has been running 110-130. The last three days it's been in the high 90's.

I'm not sure if it's the cinammon. I've also been eating 1/4 cup smoked almonds before sleep the last three days.

FTW

[Dan Gato]

FTW,
ALA is known as an insulin mimetic (spe). In Germany they sell it with prescription only. here in the USA it's just called a supplement.
How much do you take daily?
If you take ALA is recommended that u also take Biotin, because ALA may deplete it. read more about it.

[Peter Lee]

Cinamon didn't do a thing for me but chromium picolinate does smooth out my fasting sugar levels and reduces overnight spikes.

[princesslinda]

Not sure if the cinnamon helps or not....can't tell much difference, though everyone swears by it. I started both cinnamon and chromium right after diagnosis, so it may be helping and I just don't know it.

[dgrilli]

I have just started taking this specific type of ALA:

R-Alpa-Lipoic-Acid 100mg

Biotin 750mcg

I'm taking 100mg +750mcg with every 30grams of crbs we will see how it works.

[snrumph]

I know it has only been a week since the lost post on this thread, but a few of you were just starting with ALA supplements and I am curious about any preliminary results. Is it working for you?

[wiseguy]

I have just started taking this specific type of ALA:

R-Alpa-Lipoic-Acid 100mg

Biotin 750mcg

I'm taking 100mg +750mcg with every 30grams of crbs we will see how it works.
I started taking the exact same thing just three days ago.

[linda53]

I take cinnamon, chrominum, folic acid, fish oil and a one a day vitamin.

[Bibleteacher]

I add cinamon in my oatmeal.

I also add garlic in my beans.

I take a diabetic multivitamin with fenugreek and alpha lipoic acid.
also fish oils.

I feel that they are helping, but I don't know for sure.
I guess the only way to know for sure is to conduct a double blind test.

[rwmetcalf]

I've posted this on other threads, but I feel it bears repeating. Metformin causes you to not absorb as much vitamin B12 as you ought to. Since I started taking a sublingual vitamin B pill with folic acid I have felt like a new man. I'm more awake, I'm not a zombie after 8pm, I have energy. I noticed it right away. If you get to the end of your energy and have more day left, and you take metformin, please consider taking vitamin B12.

I've not started taking ALA yet, but I plan to. I bring it up because several of you are taking it. It is supposedly advisable to take folic acid supplements with ALA as ALA depletes your folic acid. Many B12 supplements have folic acid as part of the supplement (I think folic acid is a type of B vitamin).

Regards,
Roger

[duck]

I'm going to butt in real fast and list out the B-vitamins and their common scientific names, since it causes confusion:

Vitamin B1, (Thiamine)
Vitamin B2, (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B3, (Niacin)
Vitamin B5, (Pantothenic acid)
Vitamin B6, (Pyridoxine and Pyridoxamine)
Vitamin B7, (Biotin)
Vitamin B9, (Folic acid)
Vitamin B12, (Cyanocobalamin)

All B-vitamins are water soluble (as is Vitamin C), which means you really, really have to take a lot to cause toxicity. I would caution the members here from taking too much of any type of supplement, and try to stick to recommended allowances if you are going to take a supplement.

[August]

What I use:

Vitamin/Mineral tablet:
Spending an arm and a leg, for a vitamin/min supplement because some huge marketing company sends you a slick magazine every month is a waste (IMHO). I take a basic Vit/min once a day with breakfast as "cheap insurance". Just in case my TV dinners are deficient in something ;-). Cost of the ones I uses is $8. for 200 tablets (basicvitamins.com)

Chromium Picolinate:
Chromium is known as the "Glucose Tolerance Factor". If you are deficient in chromium taking this supplement will make a worthwile difference in your Insulin Sensitivity (reduces Insulin Resistance). If you are Not deficient, you will probably see little or no benefit. Try it, and see if it makes a difference, in YOUR body. Chromium Picolinate works for me. I take 400micro-grams twice daily. Dirt cheap. (Trader Joe's)

Silymarin:
The active ingredient in the herb "Milk Thistle". Both Milk Thistle, and the pure extract are available at Wallmart and everywhere. Not expensive. I take 70mg of Silymarin, twice a day. Lowers blood glucose. Possibly by reducing Insulin Resistance. Is also known to protect the liver from toxins, and is currently being studied for it's effect on reversing "fatty liver".

Alpha Lipoic Acid:
Reduces glycation of hemoglobin-A1c. Lowers your A1c readings Without lowering blood glucose. Improves eye sight, especially contrast and color fidelity. Does NOT help with weight loss. I take 300mg along with 5mg of biotin, once a day. (the biotin is a necessity). No longer an expensive item. Prices have come down to earth in recent years. Many false and misleading claims have been circulated regarding ALA.

Coenzyme Q-10:
Take as much as you can afford. I take 30mg once a day.
"Statins" block the bodys' ability to produce Q-10. A deficiency of Q-10 leads to heart failure and accelerated aging. (wrinkles ladies, wrinkles!).

L-Carnitine:
As Insulin is the "glucose transporter", L-Carnitine is the "Fat Transporter". It is required for the transport of fats into the mitochondria. You absolutely can not metabolize fats, without it. Can not lose weight(fat weight) without it! A healthy body makes about 150mg of L-Carnitine per day. If you want to burn body fat you'll need much more than that. I take 500mg twice a day in an empty stomach with hot black coffee (for maximum absorption).

Taurine:
For eye and heart health. The greatest concentration of Taurine in the human body is in the eyes. May protect against cataracts. Dirt cheap! I pay $8.00 a pound(Now Foods brand, USA). I take 1/8 tsp, once a day.

Grape Seed Extract:
An excellent anti-oxidant. I take 100mg once a day a.m.

Fish Oil:
I don't know if it improves BG levels but it certainly reduces inflammation, and inflammation plays a very large role in worsening (if not causing) Insulin Resistance. I take 1 gram 2/x a day.

Melatonin: For the occasional sleepless night. 1mg sub-lingual tab (peppermint). Available anywhere, and cheap. I get a bottle of 300 tabs for $5.00 Meletonin has several beneficial claims made for it.

Cinnamon:
When my carb bolus is less than 4 units (Humalog) I find that 1 size 00 capsule of Cinnamon, will often "cover" the carbs just as well as Humalog. Don't try this at home kids. We are all almost identical "biologically", but "bio-chemically", we are NOT all the same. What works for me might not work for you. Makes a significant difference in my BG profile. Reduces insulin needs/dose.

Turmeric:
The supplement companies call this common spice "curcumin" and ask a high price for it. I buy mine in the spice dept. at the local supermarket. Like cinnamon it improves my BG profile. Reduces inflammation. Reduces insulin needs/dose.

Commercial Herbal Pills for Diabetes:
Modern day "snake-oil". I view them as dangerous. When I tried them my liver enzymes went up. An early indicator of liver damage. Just because some herbal concoction normalizes your BGL does not mean that it is good for you. It may cost you you your life a few years down the road. Here in Asia, people who can't afford expensive diabetes medications, often resort to an herb tea, made from a thick climbing vine known locally as "Hem". (The one that Tarzan, used for transportation) Hem normalizes BG faster than insulin, but hem drinkers Often die of catastrophic liver failure. One step forward two steps back.

Pumping Iron:
Weight Training is the most effective medicine and for some type2s it has been a permanent CURE. Why not give it a try.

Search Wikipedia.com on all of the above for finer detail.

--August
Morning BG today was 86 mg/dl (I'm one happy camper!)
Type2, slowly but surely getting off insulin, A1c 4.8

[DonnieD]

Alpha-betic multi vitamin
MagOx 400 for added magnesium
Omega-3 1000 X 2

[FTW]

FTW,
ALA is known as an insulin mimetic (spe). In Germany they sell it with prescription only. here in the USA it's just called a supplement.
How much do you take daily?
If you take ALA is recommended that u also take Biotin, because ALA may deplete it. read more about it.

Hi Dan,

Sorry I missed your post until now. I've been on the road.

I recently started taking 200 mg of ALA daily more as an anti-oxidant. I understand in Europe they use 600 mg a day for neuropathy. I did run across some posts here and the one study referenced about it reducing Biotin. I know my daily multi-vitamin has a small amount of biotin in it.

I also just started metformin a couple days ago. I asked for a prescription because I wasn't happy with my fasting BG. So far it's had the best affect of anything I've taken. I went from fasting 110-130 to the low 90's.

I know Met can deplete B12 so maybe I'll look up a B complex supplement to cover both B12 and biotin.

It's getting to be a lot of pills to take though! I may decide to drop the cinnamon and the ALA.

FTW

[w5wjp]

I take cinnamon and fish oil. When I cook, I add about a ton of garlic to nearly everything. The cinnamon seems to be helping somewhat. I have to wait until the next blood work to check on the fish oil. I tried chromium long ago and it didn't seem to work for me.

[mzizgayle]

garlic, multivitamin, fish (salmon)oil capsule at advise of doctor...chromium picolate, biotin, magnesium which I had been doing before diagnosis.

[rwmetcalf]

Hi FTW,

It's getting to be a lot of pills to take though! I may decide to drop the cinnamon and the ALA.

It would be less expensive to take regular kitchen cinnamon instead of taking capsules. From what I've read, the cinnamon in capsules is no different than the cinnamon used in baking. I put about 1/2 tsp in a glass of milk in the morning and in the evening with meals. I have considered filling my own capsules with cinnamon as sometimes I don't have the time or inclination to drink the milk with it in it. You can buy empty capsules for filling at a pretty cheap price.

Regards,
Roger

[princesslinda]

Those of you taking cinnamon...have you noticed it causing you indigestion? I have "cinnamon burps" not long after taking it and recently i've had a little heart burn after taking it. I take 2 capsules after 2 meals daily.

BTW, I you have the patience to fill capsule with cinnamon....I'M IMPRESSED! There's NO WAY I would/could do that. The ADD would kick in and it wouldn't be pretty.

I have added it to tea or s/f cocoa and it's quite good though.

[rwmetcalf]

Those of you taking cinnamon...have you noticed it causing you indigestion? I have "cinnamon burps" not long after taking it and recently i've had a little heart burn after taking it. I take 2 capsules after 2 meals daily.

I have not had any problem with cinnamon. In fact, and I noticed this before I was diagnosed with diabetes, any time I am on a low carb diet my heartburn and reflux goes away. I have not had heartburn or reflux since being diagnosed.

BTW, I you have the patience to fill capsule with cinnamon....I'M IMPRESSED! There's NO WAY I would/could do that. The ADD would kick in and it wouldn't be pretty.

I am only contemplating it, so don't be impressed. I don't do it yet because I have a hard time even thinking about the extreme boredom.

[FTW]

Hi FTW,



It would be less expensive to take regular kitchen cinnamon instead of taking capsules. From what I've read, the cinnamon in capsules is no different than the cinnamon used in baking. I put about 1/2 tsp in a glass of milk in the morning and in the evening with meals. I have considered filling my own capsules with cinnamon as sometimes I don't have the time or inclination to drink the milk with it in it. You can buy empty capsules for filling at a pretty cheap price.

Regards,
Roger

Hi Roger,

It's not the expense, it's just remembering to take such a huge volume of pills....after breakfast...after lunch...(umm yeah, forgot the Omega 3 today come to think of it)....before bed.

Until the big D came along I had it down to taking any prescription meds once a day, when I got into bed. I'm rotten at schedules! This took me from two pills at bedtime to 10 throughout the day!

Also, I've never been a supplement kind of gal. Couldn't even remember to take a multi vitamin in the morning. Sheesh!

Fillin' pills? I'm trying to find the time to pop 'em!

FTW

[rwmetcalf]

Hi FTW,

Yes, the big D takes a lot of time, in many ways unimaginable just a few short months ago. It is hard to remember so much stuff all the time.

Take care,
Roger

[i_love_cake]

CLA
ALA
Multi-V
Garlic