The 7 Supplements That Can Conflict With Your Diabetes Medication
Navigating the world of supplements can be confusing. Here, we shed light on seven common ones that require extra caution if you are taking medication for diabetes. This list highlights potential dangerous supplements and is intended to help you have a more informed conversation with your healthcare provider.
1. Ginseng (Especially American and Panax Ginseng)
Commonly used for: Boosting energy, reducing stress, and improving mental clarity.
Ginseng is a popular herbal remedy with a long history of use. Many people take it to feel more alert and resilient. However, multiple studies have shown that certain types of ginseng can lower blood sugar levels. While this might sound like a good thing, it can create a risky situation when combined with your prescribed diabetes meds.
The blood-sugar-lowering effect of ginseng can stack on top of the effect of your medication. This can lead to a sudden and unexpected drop in your blood sugar, causing hypoglycemia. The symptoms can come on quickly, and it’s a significant concern, especially for older adults. If you are considering ginseng for energy, it is absolutely essential to discuss it with your doctor first.
2. Chromium
Commonly used for: Aiding weight loss and improving blood sugar control.
Chromium is a mineral that plays a role in how our bodies use insulin. Because of this, it is often marketed directly to people with diabetes. The theory is that extra chromium can make the body’s cells more sensitive to insulin, helping to lower blood sugar. Research on its effectiveness is mixed, but the potential for interaction is clear.
If you take chromium alongside medications that also increase insulin sensitivity (like metformin) or prompt insulin release (like sulfonylureas), you may increase your risk of hypoglycemia. Your medication dosage has been carefully calibrated for your body. Adding chromium without medical supervision can disrupt this balance, leading to potentially dangerous lows.
3. St. John’s Wort
Commonly used for: Supporting mood and managing symptoms of mild depression.
St. John’s Wort is one of the most well-known herbal supplements for mental well-being. It is also one of the most notorious for drug interactions. It affects a specific enzyme system in the liver that is responsible for breaking down and clearing many different medications from your body—including some diabetes drugs.
By speeding up this process, St. John’s Wort can cause your body to eliminate your diabetes medication too quickly. This can make your prescribed dose less effective, leading to higher-than-expected blood sugar levels. Consistently high blood sugar can increase your risk for long-term diabetes complications. This is a clear example of supplements that conflict with diabetes medication seniors should be aware of, as managing mood and diabetes often go hand-in-hand.
4. Cinnamon (in High-Dose Extract Form)
Commonly used for: Flavoring food and, in supplement form, for lowering blood sugar.
Sprinkling a little cinnamon on your oatmeal is perfectly safe and delicious. The concern arises with highly concentrated cinnamon extracts sold in capsules. Some research suggests that these extracts can mimic the effects of insulin and lower fasting blood sugar. Similar to ginseng and chromium, this effect can compound the action of your diabetes medication.
Taking a potent cinnamon supplement without adjusting your medication could easily lead to an episode of hypoglycemia. The effect can be unpredictable from person to person and from product to product. It’s always better to enjoy cinnamon as a spice in your cooking and to leave the high-dose forms alone unless specifically approved by your doctor.
5. Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Commonly used for: Lowering high cholesterol.
Niacin is a B-vitamin that is essential for our health in small doses, which we easily get from food. However, in the very high doses prescribed to manage cholesterol, niacin can have an unexpected effect: it can actually raise blood sugar levels. This is a critical piece of information for anyone managing both diabetes and high cholesterol.
If you start taking high-dose niacin, it can directly work against your diabetes medication, making it harder to keep your glucose in your target range. This is a significant interaction that requires close monitoring and potential adjustments to your diabetes treatment plan by your physician.
6. Glucosamine
Commonly used for: Easing joint pain, particularly from osteoarthritis.
Glucosamine is one of the most popular supplements among seniors looking to maintain joint health. For years, there has been a scientific debate about whether it can affect blood sugar. Some early studies suggested that glucosamine might interfere with how the body produces or uses insulin, potentially leading to increased blood sugar levels.
While more recent and larger studies have found this risk to be low for most people, the question is not entirely settled. Given its widespread use and the theoretical risk, it’s a wise precaution for anyone with diabetes to mention they are taking glucosamine to their doctor. Your doctor can help you monitor your blood sugar levels to ensure everything remains stable, mitigating potential senior side effects.
7. Garlic (in High-Dose Supplement Form)
Commonly used for: Supporting heart health and lowering blood pressure.
Just like cinnamon, garlic is a wonderfully healthy addition to your meals. The issue is not with the cloves you cook with, but with concentrated garlic supplements. These supplements contain potent compounds that can have a mild blood-sugar-lowering effect. When you are on diabetes medication, even a mild effect can be enough to tip the balance.
Combining high-dose garlic supplements with your medication could slightly increase your risk of hypoglycemia. It’s another reminder that “natural” does not always mean “harmless,” especially when powerful medications are involved. Enjoy garlic in your food, but be sure to clear any concentrated supplements with your healthcare team.
