Vitamins & Nutritional Supplements for Type 1 Diabetes

A variety of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other supplements may help with symptoms and deficiencies associated with diabetes. However, many of the studies described below were done in adults, and the amounts used may not be appropriate for a child with type 1 diabetes. The proper amount of each nutrient to be used by a child should always be discussed with a doctor.

Alpha lipoic acid

Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful natural antioxidant. Preliminary and double-blind trials have found that supplementing with 600 to 1,200 mg of lipoic acid per day improves the symptoms of diabetic nerve damage (neuropathy). In a preliminary study, supplementing with 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid per day for 18 months slowed the progression of kidney damage in people with type 1 diabetes.

Chromium

Chromium, a trace mineral that appears to increase the effectiveness of insulin, has been shown to improve glucose and related variables in people with many kinds of diabetes, including type 1 diabetes. Chromium may also lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides (risk factors for heart disease). The typical amount of chromium used in research trials is 200 mcg per day. Supplementation with chromium or brewer’s yeast (a source of chromium) could potentially enhance the effects of drugs for diabetes (e.g., insulin or other blood sugar-lowering agents) and possibly lead to hypoglycemia. Therefore, people with diabetes taking these medications should supplement with chromium or brewer's yeast only under the supervision of a doctor...