When our blood sugar is not at the healthiest of levels, our entire body suffers. Changes in diet and exercise, as well as helpful nutrients, can make a big difference in our blood sugar management outlook.

Magnesium preventive effects

Magnesium is a mineral that plays a role in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body including glucose control. In this study, doctors reviewed 26 articles reporting on long-term magnesium studies covering 1.2 million men and women. Participants did not have diabetes at entry, but some were more likely to develop it. Doctors followed up for an average of 11 years, measuring magnesium in the diet and through supplements.

Dividing participants into low- and high-magnesium groups, those who got the most magnesium were 22 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes vs. low magnesium. For each 100 mg increase in daily magnesium, chances for diabetes declined by 6 percent.

In a subgroup of 1,168 participants with diabetes or with higher chances of developing it, the high-magnesium group saw fasting glucose and insulin levels decline, insulin resistance and triglycerides decrease, HDL, the good cholesterol, increase, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure decline.

Reference: Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews; November, 2019, dmrr.3243, Published Online

Vitamin D may slow diabetes

People with long-term type 2 diabetes have impaired metabolic function. But those just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, or in those with higher chances of developing it, vitamin D may help preserve metabolic function. In this study, 96 obese people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, or with higher chances of developing it, took a placebo or 5,000 IU of vitamin D per day. Nearly half began the study deficient in vitamin D.

After six months, while the placebo group had not changed, vitamin D levels reached sufficiency in the vitamin D group. The function of beta cells, which produce insulin in the pancreas, improved significantly, and insulin sensitivity—the ability of the body to efficiently use insulin to metabolize sugars—also improved. Doctors concluded vitamin D may slow metabolic deterioration in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, and in those who may develop the condition.

Reference: European Journal of Endocrinology; 2019, EJE-19-0156, Published Online

Propolis and blood sugar

Many cultures including the Greeks and Egyptians have used propolis—the resin-like combination of tree sap and beeswax made by bees—as medicine for thousands of years. There are over 300 compounds in propolis, most containing polyphenols, including antioxidant-rich flavonoids.

In this review of six placebo-controlled trials covering 373 people with type 2 diabetes, doctors found those taking propolis saw average declines in overnight fasting blood sugar levels of 13.51 mg per deciliter of blood (mg/dL), and declines in long-term average, three-month A1C levels of 0.52 percent.

Discussing the findings, doctors said this analysis of multiple placebo controlled trials suggests that bee propolis may be a novel, safe and effective way for those with type 2 diabetes to control glycemic levels.

Reference: Phytotherapy Research; April, 2019, 6356, Published Online