People with type 2 diabetes may be interested to know if vitamin supplements can be helpful for treatment. Type 2 diabetes is treated with lifestyle and dietary changes and, in some cases, medications. Nutrients are best obtained from food sources, but supplements can be helpful when they are truly deficient.

It is difficult to know how best to use supplements and which ones will be beneficial for type 2 diabetes. The use of supplements should be individualized and checked by a health care professional, such as a registered dietitian, pharmacist, or health care provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.

In this article, we will discuss the use of vitamin supplements and whether they play a role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Are supplements useful for the treatment of type 2 diabetes?

The best way to get all the vitamins and minerals the body needs is through food. This is because food also contains many other substances that the body needs to use vitamins effectively.

However, some vitamins can be deficient for a variety of reasons, including taking certain medications. Supplements can help restore these vitamin levels.

Although there is a place for supplements, vitamins have not proven to be effective or reliable in regulating blood sugar levels. If medications are used to treat diabetes, know that vitamins, minerals, or other supplements are not a good substitute or replacement for these medications.

Who might not benefit from supplements

Vitamins and other types of supplements are also not without the possibility of side effects. Any supplement can have unintended consequences or be poorly absorbed.

In addition, supplements cost money, and one potential detriment is spending money on a product that turns out not to work as well as expected. Research on vitamins to treat type 2 diabetes is still ongoing, so it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest information.

Some supplements may interact with diabetes medications. This can mean that the effect of the medications either increases or decreases, which does not help treat a complex disease like diabetes.

Sometimes it can even be dangerous, which is why it is so important to consult with a medical professional before using supplements.

The best vitamins and minerals to treat type 2 diabetes

There are several vitamins and supplements that are often thought of or discussed when it comes to type 2 diabetes.

Thiamine (B1)

Some people with diabetes may be deficient in thiamine, or vitamin B1. Because thiamine is important for many body systems, it is important to keep its levels in the body at proper levels.

Thiamine deficiency can cause some types of neuropathy (nerve damage). In these cases, correcting the deficiency with B vitamin supplements may help.

One study showed that thiamine supplementation can help manage deficiencies as well as improve lipid (fatty compounds found in the blood) levels. However, this study could not show any effect on underlying diabetes.

The meta-analysis, which is a high-level analysis of many different studies, looked at thiamine and its effect on type 2 diabetes. It showed that people taking between 100 and 900 milligrams (mg) of thiamine a day saw no effect on blood glucose control.

The authors of the study note, however, that the data were collected mostly from small studies that did not include large numbers of people, the studies were conducted in only one location, and follow-up was only conducted after about three months. All of these are considered limitations of the analysis. They are calling for a larger study including many more subjects and sites to better understand the effects of thiamine on type 2 diabetes.

A health care provider may recommend taking thiamine or other B vitamins if you lack them or if you have symptoms of neuropathy. But taking supplements is not a substitute for necessary diabetes medication.

Sources of thiamine include asparagus, beef liver, black beans, edamame, eggs, fortified cereals and whole grains, lentils, macadamia nuts, and pork loin.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 deficiency can bother some people with type 2 diabetes. Food sources of vitamin B12 include beef liver, shellfish, dairy products, eggs, fortified grains or yeast, chicken, fish, and meat. Vitamin B12 is not found in plants, so this vitamin is especially dangerous for people on a plant-based diet.

Vitamin B12 supplements are sometimes recommended for people with long-standing or complicated diabetes or neuropathy.

The authors of one study of vitamin B12 and folate supplementation in people with diabetes were cautiously optimistic about the benefits of their use in earlier stages of the disease. The theory is that because vitamin B12 poses no risk of adverse side effects, supplements should be studied further and considered for some people with diabetes.

However, there may be symptoms caused by high levels of vitamin B12, as evidenced in some cases. For this reason, it is important to discuss taking the supplement with your health care provider.

Metformin and vitamin B12

Metformin is a drug commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes and other related conditions. People taking metformin may be at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency.

One study showed that 22% of people who took this medication had vitamin B12 levels that were too low. Perhaps some people were helped by multivitamins to prevent or reverse the deficiency.

Another study showed that people who took metformin had 10% lower vitamin B12 levels than those who did not take the drug. Monitoring vitamin B12 levels may be recommended for those who take metformin in the long term.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is the subject of numerous studies on type 2 diabetes and other diseases. It is still not entirely clear whether vitamin D deficiency contributes to the development of certain diseases or whether the diseases themselves cause vitamin D deficiency.

Experts have not yet reached consensus on the use of vitamin D supplements for people who are not truly deficient. Nor is there complete agreement on the use of vitamin D in type 2 diabetes, beyond the correction of deficiency.

One meta-analysis showed that vitamin D supplements for some people did better than placebo (an inactive drug) to reduce insulin resistance, which occurs when the body does not respond to insulin, the hormone that allows the body to use blood sugar properly. However, no effect has been shown on blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), or insulin levels.

Vitamin D deficiency can be diagnosed with a blood test. At this time, there are no recommendations to help people with diabetes figure out how to take vitamin D. For this reason, supplements should be recommended by a health care provider. This will help avoid taking too much or not enough.

Vitamin D and blood sugar

People with type 2 diabetes with low vitamin D levels may have worse blood sugar control. One study showed that supplements can help people with low vitamin D levels better control their blood sugar. People with diabetes should ask their doctor about using vitamin D supplements and how they can fit into a treatment plan.

Vitamin D can be found in beef liver, oily fish (salmon, trout, tuna, and mackerel), egg yolks, mushrooms, and foods fortified with it, such as dairy products and cereals. It is also produced by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight.

Magnesium

People with type 2 diabetes may have low magnesium levels. Good food sources of magnesium include bananas, black beans, edamame, fortified cereals, nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts), pumpkin or chia seeds, salmon, soy milk, and spinach.

Low magnesium levels are associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Magnesium intake by people with type 2 diabetes can improve fasting and post-meal glucose levels and insulin sensitivity.

However, as the authors of one meta-analysis note, no large-scale clinical trial supports the need for regular use of magnesium supplements in type 2 diabetes.

One meta-analysis showed that 12 weeks of supplemental magnesium supplementation in people with type 2 diabetes was associated with improved blood pressure levels. However, the authors call for more rigorous studies to confirm this potential benefit.

Increased magnesium levels have also been studied in stroke, which is a complication of diabetes. Increased magnesium levels may be associated with a decreased risk of some types of stroke. However, randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this effect and make recommendations.

What to consider when choosing vitamins for diabetes

Low vitamin and mineral levels can be diagnosed with blood tests. People with type 2 diabetes can get regular blood tests to monitor vitamin levels. If a deficiency is found, it is important to make a plan to correct it with the help of health care professionals.

First of all, you need to follow a diet that meets your nutritional needs and provides enough vitamins and minerals. Working with a health care professional, such as a nutritionist, can help you make a meal plan and know what foods would be most helpful in case of a deficiency.

There are many types and brands of vitamin supplements on the market. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate these supplements. To avoid wasting money and getting the results you want, it is important to choose a quality supplement.

One way to choose a supplement that contains the right amount of nutrients is to look to certification. There are independent companies that test supplements to make sure they contain what they should, do not contain ingredients that should not be in them, and are standardized so that every bottle sold contains the same amount of vitamins and minerals.

Look for a certificate of analysis (COA) on the label of the supplement. This means that a third-party company has tested it in their lab. Some of the companies that do this are BSCG (Banned Substances Control Group), ConsumerLab, National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International, and U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP).

A single supplement may be recommended for some people. But multivitamins may be more appropriate for those who have multiple deficiencies or may develop them in the future.

Note on use and FDA approval

Unlike drugs, the FDA does not approve the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Look for supplements verified by a reliable third party, such as USP, ConsumerLab or NSF.

Third-party testing does not mean that supplements are necessarily safe for everyone or effective in general. Be sure to discuss any supplements you plan to take with your doctor to avoid interactions with your medications and other supplements you are taking.

Summary

People with type 2 diabetes may be deficient in vitamins for a variety of reasons. Blood tests can detect deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals and can be used as part of regular diabetes treatment.

To get the most benefit from any supplements, it is important to choose quality brands and seek the help of a doctor to understand what dosage is needed.

A word from Veriwell

Regular management of diabetes involves lifestyle changes and possibly the use of medications to control blood glucose levels. Vitamin deficiencies can be common in people with diabetes and can cause symptoms or complications.

People with diabetes need to understand what vitamins and minerals they may be lacking, what symptoms their deficiency may cause, and how to work with a health care provider to make a plan to fix any problems.

In some cases, it may be necessary to self-protect to get the right tests done and possibly get a recommendation or referral to a dietitian or other nutrition health professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

• The role that vitamin D plays in diabetes is not well understood. Whether its deficiency affects the development of the disease has not yet been studied. Getting enough vitamin D is important for general health. If vitamin D deficiency is suspected, a health care professional can be consulted and vitamin D levels checked.

• Getting enough vitamin C is important for diabetes. People with diabetes may need a supplement if their vitamin levels are low, and this should be discussed with a health care provider. One study showed that it is important for people with diabetes to get enough vitamin C.

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