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Insulin
Insulin is a natural protein made by the pancreas that helps the body use sugar. Insulin is injected by all people with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and by some people with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus to help control blood sugar levels.
Any substance (dietary, supplemental, herbal, and others) that affects blood sugar levels will directly or indirectly affect the amount of insulin required by a person with diabetes. For example, consumption of a high-fiber diet and/or supplementation with nutrients such as chromium, biotin, vitamin E, or herbs such as Gymnema sylvestre will often improve blood sugar control in diabetics. In such cases, the amount of insulin may need to be reduced in order to avoid a hypoglycemic reaction. Anyone taking insulin should consult the prescribing physician before making dietary changes or taking nutrients or herbs that are designed to lower blood sugar levels.
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods
 May Be Beneficial: Depletion or interference—This medication may deplete these substances from the body or interfere with how they work; extra intake may help replenish them. | DHEA |
| May Be Beneficial: Side effect reduction and/or prevention—These substances may help reduce the likelihood and/or severity of a potential side effect caused by the medication.
| none |
| May Be Beneficial: Supportive interaction—These substances may help this medication work better. | Biotin Fenugreek Vitamin E |
 Avoid: Reduces drug effectiveness—When taking this medication, avoid these substances as they may decrease the medication's absorption and/or activity in the body. | none |
| Avoid: Adverse interaction—When taking this medication, avoid these substances, as the combination may cause undesirable or dangerous interactions. | Smoking |
 Check: Explanation needed—When taking this medication, read the article details and discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these substances. | Chromium Dandelion Gymnema* |
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Also indexed as:
- fast-acting insulin,
- Humalog,
- human analog insulin,
- Human Analog Insulin: Humanlog,
- humanlog,
- Humulin L,
- Humulin U,
- Humulin-N,
- Humulin-R,
- Iletin II NPH Pork,
- Iletin II Regular Pork,
- Iletin Lente,
- insulin,
- Novo Rapid,
- Novolin L,
- Novolin N,
- Novolin R,
- Novolin R Innolet,
- Novolin R PenFill,
- NovoRapid,
- rapid-acting insulin,
- regular insulin,
- short-acting insulin
About this treatment
Interactions with Vitamins
Chromium
Chromium supplements have been shown to improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Consequently, supplementing with chromium could reduce blood sugar levels in people with taking insulin, potentially resulting in abnormally low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). While chromium supplementation may be beneficial for people with diabetes, its use in combination with insulin or with any other blood sugar-lowering medication should be supervised by a doctor.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Insulin has been shown to decrease the levels of DHEA and DHEA-sulfate in the blood. More research is needed to determine the significance of this finding.
Interactions with Herbs
Dandelion
Animal studies have shown that dandelion can lower blood sugar levels. In a case report, a patient who was taking insulin for diabetes developed episodes of hypoglycemia after adding dandelion to her treatment regimen. People taking blood sugar-lowering drugs should therefore not take dandelion without the supervision of a doctor.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
In a controlled study of patients with type 1 diabetes, fenugreek (100 grams per day for ten days) was reported to reduce blood sugar, urinary sugar excretion, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides, with no change in insulin levels. In a controlled study of people with type 2 diabetes, fenugreek (25 grams per day for 24 weeks) was reported to significantly reduce blood glucose levels. People using insulin should talk with their prescribing doctor before incorporating large amounts of fenugreek into their diet.
Gymnema sylvestre
Although no interactions have been reported, gymnema may decrease the required daily dose of insulin. Therefore, people currently using insulin for the treatment of diabetes should discuss the use of this herb with their healthcare professional.
Interactions with Foods & Other Compounds
Food
Diet is an important factor in effective diabetes prevention and treatment. People using insulin should monitor their blood sugar carefully and talk with their doctor about the role of diet in diabetes control.
Alcohol
Alcohol may increase the action of insulin, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). People using insulin should avoid alcohol.
Tobacco (Nicotiana species)
Smoking may decrease insulin activity, and it compounds the health problems associated with diabetes. People using insulin are cautioned to avoid smoking.
Last Review: 05-11-2011
Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
Please read the disclaimer about the limitations of the information provided here. Do NOT rely solely on the information in this article. The Aisle7 knowledgebase does not contain every possible interaction.
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. 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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