Research
Mixed
Supplements such as chromium, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin E, cinnamon, and fenugreek are not recommended by the ADA for routine use in T2DM due to lack of significant effect on HbA1c.
Do not rely on supplements like chromium, cinnamon, or fenugreek to control your blood sugar. The American Diabetes Association recommends against their routine use because they do not significantly improve HbA1c levels. Focus on a balanced diet instead.
StrongRefutesHIGH confidence
Given the lack of clear evidence and the fact that a balanced diet provides adequate levels of essential vitamins and minerals, both the ADA and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend against routine supplementation of antioxidants or the use of herbal products.
Why this rating
Based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses showing no significant effect on HbA1c.
Source
Nutritional Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity and Pharmacologic Therapies to Facilitate Weight Loss
Marion Vetter et al. · Postgraduate Medicine · 2014
DOI 10.3810/pgm.2014.01.2734
narrative_reviewCited 19×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Modest weight loss of 5% to 10% of body weight significantly improves glycemic control, lipids, and blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes.Good
- Low-carbohydrate diets are effective for short-term glycemic control and weight loss in T2DM, but benefits often diminish after 12 months and are largely attributable to weight loss rather than carbohydrate restriction itself.Good
Related findings · Mixed
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- For patients with Class III obesity (BMI >39.9 kg/m2), metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is significantly more effective than any currently approved medication, with BilioPancreatic Diversion (BPD) showing the highest estimated weight loss.Strong
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