Hypoglycemia - Supplements

When blood-sugar levels fall fast, symptoms such as fatigue and anxiety may arise. Simple changes can control many cases of hypoglycemia. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.

Choose foods with fiber
Stabilize your blood sugar by eating fiber from whole grains, beans and other legumes, vegetables, and fruit
Eat light, eat often
Spread out your meals during the day to sustain a consistent supply of absorbable sugar
Give chromium a go
Take 200 mcg a day of this essential mineral to help stabilize blood sugar swings
Cut back on refined carbs
Avoid carbohydrates that are quickly absorbed, such as sugar and white flour, which may trigger hypoglycemic reactions
Say no to alcohol and caffeine
To improve blood-sugar control, reduce or eliminate alcoholic and caffeinated drinks

Also indexed as:

familial hypoglycemia,
food-stimulated hypoglycemia,
hypoglycemia,
iatrogenic hypoglycemia,
low blood sugar,
nondiabetic hypoglycemia,
non-diabetic hypoglycemia,
postprandial hypoglycemia,
reactive hypoglycemia

About this treatment

What Are "Star" Ratings?

a7_3star Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

a7_2star Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

a7_1star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

Supplement	Amount	Why
Chromium	200 mcg daily	Taking chromium may help stabilize blood sugar swings.
Chromium 200 mcg daily Research has shown that supplementing with chromium (200 mcg per day)¹³ or magnesium (340 mg per day)¹⁴ can prevent blood sugar levels from falling excessively in people with hypoglycemia. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has also been found to be helpful for hypoglycemic people.¹⁵ Other nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6, may help control blood sugar levels in diabetics.¹⁶ Since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, these nutrients might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well, although the amounts needed for that purpose are not known. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Copper	Refer to label instructions	Copper helps control blood sugar levels in diabetics, and since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, it may be helpful for hypoglycemia as well.
Copper Research has shown that supplementing with chromium (200 mcg per day)¹⁷ or magnesium (340 mg per day)¹⁸ can prevent blood sugar levels from falling excessively in people with hypoglycemia. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has also been found to be helpful for hypoglycemic people.¹⁹ Other nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6, may help control blood sugar levels in diabetics.²⁰ Since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, these nutrients might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well, although the amounts needed for that purpose are not known. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Glucomannan	Refer to label instructions	Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber. In one trial, adding glucomannan to a meal prevented hypoglycemia in adults with previous stomach surgery.
Glucomannan Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber that is derived from konjac root (Amorphophallus konjac). In a preliminary trial,²¹ addition of either 2.6 or 5.2 grams of glucomannan to a meal prevented hypoglycemia in adults with previous stomach surgery. A trial of glucomannan in children with hypoglycemia due to a condition known as “dumping syndrome” produced inconsistent results.²² What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Magnesium	Refer to label instructions	Research has shown that supplementing with or magnesium can prevent blood sugar levels from falling excessively in people with hypoglycemia.
Magnesium Research has shown that supplementing with chromium (200 mcg per day)²³ or magnesium (340 mg per day)²⁴ can prevent blood sugar levels from falling excessively in people with hypoglycemia. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has also been found to be helpful for hypoglycemic people.²⁵ Other nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6, may help control blood sugar levels in diabetics.²⁶ Since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, these nutrients might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well, although the amounts needed for that purpose are not known. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Manganese	Refer to label instructions	Manganese helps control blood sugar levels in diabetics, and since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, it might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well.
Manganese Research has shown that supplementing with chromium (200 mcg per day)²⁷ or magnesium (340 mg per day)²⁸ can prevent blood sugar levels from falling excessively in people with hypoglycemia. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has also been found to be helpful for hypoglycemic people.²⁹ Other nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6, may help control blood sugar levels in diabetics.³⁰ Since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, these nutrients might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well, although the amounts needed for that purpose are not known. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Vitamin B3	Refer to label instructions	Research has shown that supplementing with niacinamide (vitamin B3) can prevent blood sugar levels from falling excessively in people with hypoglycemia.
Vitamin B3 Research has shown that supplementing with chromium (200 mcg per day)³¹ or magnesium (340 mg per day)³² can prevent blood sugar levels from falling excessively in people with hypoglycemia. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has also been found to be helpful for hypoglycemic people.³³ Other nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6, may help control blood sugar levels in diabetics.³⁴ Since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, these nutrients might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well, although the amounts needed for that purpose are not known. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Vitamin B6	Refer to label instructions	Vitamin B6 helps control blood sugar levels in diabetics, and since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, it might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well.
Vitamin B6 Research has shown that supplementing with chromium (200 mcg per day)³⁵ or magnesium (340 mg per day)³⁶ can prevent blood sugar levels from falling excessively in people with hypoglycemia. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has also been found to be helpful for hypoglycemic people.³⁷ Other nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6, may help control blood sugar levels in diabetics.³⁸ Since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, these nutrients might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well, although the amounts needed for that purpose are not known. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Vitamin C	Refer to label instructions	Vitamin C helps control blood sugar levels in diabetics, and since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, it might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well.
Vitamin C Research has shown that supplementing with chromium (200 mcg per day)³⁹ or magnesium (340 mg per day)⁴⁰ can prevent blood sugar levels from falling excessively in people with hypoglycemia. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has also been found to be helpful for hypoglycemic people.⁴¹ Other nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6, may help control blood sugar levels in diabetics.⁴² Since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, these nutrients might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well, although the amounts needed for that purpose are not known. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Vitamin E	Refer to label instructions	Vitamin E helps control blood sugar levels in diabetics, and since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, it might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well.
Vitamin E Research has shown that supplementing with chromium (200 mcg per day)⁴³ or magnesium (340 mg per day)⁴⁴ can prevent blood sugar levels from falling excessively in people with hypoglycemia. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has also been found to be helpful for hypoglycemic people.⁴⁵ Other nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6, may help control blood sugar levels in diabetics.⁴⁶ Since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, these nutrients might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well, although the amounts needed for that purpose are not known. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Zinc	Refer to label instructions	Zinc helps control blood sugar levels in diabetics, and since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, it might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well.
Zinc Research has shown that supplementing with chromium (200 mcg per day)⁴⁷ or magnesium (340 mg per day)⁴⁸ can prevent blood sugar levels from falling excessively in people with hypoglycemia. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has also been found to be helpful for hypoglycemic people.⁴⁹ Other nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6, may help control blood sugar levels in diabetics.⁵⁰ Since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, these nutrients might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well, although the amounts needed for that purpose are not known. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

References

Last Review: 05-11-2011

Learn more about Aisle7, the company.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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