Condition

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system destroys the pancreas cells that make insulin, so blood sugar climbs. For blood glucose, trials of saffron and magnesium found improvements, though the evidence is moderate for saffron and limited for magnesium. Studies were small, and some included people with type 2 diabetes, so insulin remains essential and these results are a rough guide.

Sources: PMID 39818282; PMID 34836329

Supplements studied: 17
Medicines and peptides: 1
Graded outcomes: 15
Trials: 22
People studied: 8,316

Evidence by supplement

Strong
Moderate
Limited
Very limited

17 supplements

Saffron

Saffron: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Blood glucose Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	6 studies	840 people
Studies that measured blood glucose Effects of Crocus sativus on glycemic control and cardiometabolic parameters among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Nutr Metab · PMID 38796446 The effect of hydroalcoholic Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) extract on fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, liver, and renal function tests in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized double-blind clinical trialPhytother Res · PMID 30942510 Effects of Cinnamon, Cardamom, Saffron, and Ginger Consumption on Markers of Glycemic Control, Lipid Profile, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes PatientsRev Diabet Stud · PMID 26177486 and 3 more on the Saffron page
	Blood Pressure	Improves (the measure goes down)		3 studies	840 people
Studies that measured blood pressure Protective properties of the aqueous extract of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in ischemic stroke, randomized clinical trialJ Ethnopharmacol · PMID 30914350 The effects of saffron supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysisFront Nutr · PMID 36570145 An evaluation of the effects of saffron supplementation on the asthma clinical symptoms and asthma severity in patients with mild and moderate persistent allergic asthma: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trialRespir Res · PMID 30795753
	Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies		1 study	840 people
Studies that measured liver enzymes Effect of saffron supplementation on liver enzymes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsDiabetes Metab Syndr · PMID 34678576
	Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)	Improves (the measure goes up)			840 people
	Kidney Function	Improves (the measure goes up)			840 people

Fiber

Fiber: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Glycemic Control Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect		64 people
	HbA1c	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	87 people
Studies that measured hba1c Effects of different dietary patterns on glucose management in type 1 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.EClinicalMedicine · PMID 40641818

Beta-Alanine

Beta-cell function: worsens
Blood glucose: changes; see studies
HbA1c: changes; see studies

Beta-Alanine: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Beta-cell function Small Decrease	Worsens (the measure goes down)	Small effect		82 people
	Blood glucose	Changes; see studies		1 study	172 people
Studies that measured blood glucose Effect of Carnosine or β-Alanine Supplementation on Markers of Glycemic Control and Insulin Resistance in Humans and Animals: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysisAdv Nutr · PMID 34333586
	HbA1c	Changes; see studies			134 people
	Insulin	Changes; see studies			82 people
	Insulin Resistance	Changes; see studies			82 people

Magnesium

Blood glucose: improves
Blood Pressure: improves
Triglycerides: improves

Magnesium: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Blood glucose Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	17 studies	79 people
Studies that measured blood glucose Efficacy of Magnesium Supplementation on Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Meta-analysis.J ASEAN Fed Endocr Soc · PMID 33442083 Oral magnesium supplementation in insulin-requiring Type 2 diabetic patientsDiabet Med · PMID 9632126 The effect of lowering blood pressure by magnesium supplementation in diabetic hypertensive adults with low serum magnesium levels: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trialJ Hum Hypertens · PMID 19020533 and 14 more on the Magnesium page
	Blood Pressure	Improves (the measure goes down)		10 studies	79 people
Studies that measured blood pressure Magnesium Supplementation and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Hypertension · PMID 41000008 Effect on blood pressure of potassium, calcium, and magnesium in women with low habitual intakeHypertension · PMID 9449404 Effects of Magnesium Citrate, Magnesium Oxide, and Magnesium Sulfate Supplementation on Arterial Stiffness: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Intervention TrialJ Am Heart Assoc · PMID 35253448 and 7 more on the Magnesium page
	Triglycerides	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	79 people
Studies that measured triglycerides The effect of magnesium supplementation on serum concentration of lipid profile: an updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials.Nutr J · PMID 39905454 Effects of magnesium on postprandial serum lipid responses in healthy human subjectsBr J Nutr · PMID 19941679
	Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	97 people
Studies that measured diabetic neuropathy symptoms Long term magnesium supplementation influences favourably the natural evolution of neuropathy in Mg-depleted type 1 diabetic patients (T1dm)Magnes Res · PMID 15319143
	LDL Oxidation	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	11 people
Studies that measured ldl oxidation Effect of intensive magnesium supplementation on the in vitro oxidizability of LDL and VLDL in Mg-depleted type 1 diabetic patientsMagnes Res · PMID 9800686
	HbA1c	Improves (the measure goes down)			79 people
	High-density lipoprotein (HDL)	Improves (the measure goes up)			79 people
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)			79 people

Chromium

Blood glucose: improves
Weight: improves
Glycemic Control: improves

Chromium: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Blood glucose Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	6 studies	40 people
Studies that measured blood glucose Effects of acute chromium supplementation on postprandial metabolism in healthy young menJ Am Coll Nutr · 2004 · PMID 15310739 Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Blood Glucose and Lipid Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysisBiol Trace Elem Res · PMID 33783683 Beneficial effects of oral chromium picolinate supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical studyJ Trace Elem Med Biol · PMID 26302914 and 3 more on the Chromium page
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)		12 studies	40 people
Studies that measured weight Chromium picolinate supplementation in women: effects on body weight, composition, and iron statusNutrition · PMID 17291720 Effect of resistance training with or without chromium picolinate supplementation on glucose metabolism in older men and womenMetabolism · PMID 10337851 Chromium supplementation shortens QTc interval duration in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusAm Heart J · PMID 15990745 and 9 more on the Chromium page
	Glycemic Control	Improves (the measure goes up)		9 studies	40 people
Studies that measured glycemic control The effects of inorganic chromium and brewer's yeast on glucose tolerance, plasma lipids, and plasma chromium in elderly subjectsAm J Clin Nutr · 1985 · PMID 3898805 Chromium picolinate supplementation attenuates body weight gain and increases insulin sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetesDiabetes Care · PMID 16873787 Chromium treatment has no effect in patients with type 2 diabetes in a Western population: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialDiabetes Care · PMID 17303791 and 6 more on the Chromium page
	Insulin	Changes; see studies		1 study	40 people
Studies that measured insulin A pilot study of chromium picolinate for weight lossJ Altern Complement Med · PMID 20192914
	Total cholesterol	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	40 people
Studies that measured total cholesterol Effects of niacin-bound chromium and grape seed proanthocyanidin extract on the lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic subjects: a pilot studyJ Med · PMID 11508317
	Triglycerides	Improves (the measure goes down)			40 people

L-Carnitine

Blood glucose: improves
Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms: improves
HbA1c: improves

L-Carnitine: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Blood glucose Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	5 studies	232 people
Studies that measured blood glucose L-Carnitine's Effect on the Biomarkers of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsNutrients · PMID 32932644 Ameliorating hypertension and insulin resistance in subjects at increased cardiovascular risk: effects of acetyl-L-carnitine therapyHypertension · PMID 19620516 Effects of exercise intensity and altered substrate availability on cardiovascular and metabolic responses to exercise after oral carnitine supplementation in athletesInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 21813919 and 2 more on the L-Carnitine page
	Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	232 people
Studies that measured diabetic neuropathy symptoms Effects of acetyl-L-carnitine and methylcobalamin for diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trialJ Diabetes Investig · PMID 27180954
	HbA1c	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	232 people
Studies that measured hba1c The effects of L-carnitine supplementation on glycemic markers in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.Front Nutr · PMID 36704801

Coenzyme Q10

Blood glucose: improves
Blood Pressure: improves
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): improves

Coenzyme Q10: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Blood glucose Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	3 studies	165 people
Studies that measured blood glucose Coenzyme Q10 administration has no effect on sICAM-1 and metabolic parameters of pediatrics with type 1 diabetes mellitusInt J Vitam Nutr Res · PMID 31942840 Clinical trial of the effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on glycemic control and markers of lipid profiles in diabetic hemodialysis patientsInt Urol Nephrol · PMID 30251010 Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on glycemic control: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.EClinicalMedicine · PMID 35958521
	Blood Pressure	Improves (the measure goes down)		4 studies	105 people
Studies that measured blood pressure Dose-Response Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Blood Pressure among Patients with Cardiometabolic Disorders: A Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE)-Assessed Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Adv Nutr · PMID 36130103 Electrocardiographic and hemodynamic effects of coenzyme Q10 in healthy individuals: a double-blind, randomized controlled trialAnn Pharmacother · PMID 17341532 Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in isolated systolic hypertensionSouth Med J · PMID 11780680 and 1 more on the Coenzyme Q10 page
	Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	Improves (the measure goes down)		4 studies	165 people
Studies that measured low-density lipoprotein (ldl) Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Metabolic Indicators in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Clin Ther · PMID 39904656 Effectiveness of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisInt J Endocrinol · PMID 30305810 Treatment of coenzyme Q10 for 24 weeks improves lipid and glycemic profile in dyslipidemic individualsJ Clin Lipidol · PMID 29454678 and 1 more on the Coenzyme Q10 page
	Fatigue Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		3 studies	105 people
Studies that measured fatigue symptoms The effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on performance during repeated bouts of supramaximal exercise in sedentary menJ Strength Cond Res · PMID 19644406 Antifatigue effects of coenzyme Q10 during physical fatigueNutrition · PMID 18272335 Coenzyme Q10 as a treatment for fatigue and depression in multiple sclerosis patients: A double blind randomized clinical trialNutr Neurosci · PMID 25603363
	HbA1c	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	60 people
Studies that measured hba1c Coenzyme Q(10) improves endothelial dysfunction of the brachial artery in Type II diabetes mellitusDiabetologia · PMID 11914748 Coenzyme Q10 improves blood pressure and glycaemic control: a controlled trial in subjects with type 2 diabetesEur J Clin Nutr · PMID 12428181
	Total cholesterol	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	165 people
	High-density lipoprotein (HDL)	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	165 people
	Cramps	Improves (the measure goes down)			105 people
	Creatine Kinase	Changes; see studies			105 people
	Glycemic Control	Improves (the measure goes up)			60 people
	Insulin	Changes; see studies			60 people
	Kidney Function	Improves (the measure goes up)			105 people
	Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies			105 people
	Triglycerides	Improves (the measure goes down)			165 people
	Urea	Improves (the measure goes up)			105 people
	vLDL-C	Improves (the measure goes down)			60 people

Vitamin E

Blood Flow
LDL Oxidation: improves

Vitamin E: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Studies	People
	Blood Flow Mixed effect		2 studies	41 people
Studies that measured blood flow Effect of oral vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) supplementation on vascular endothelial function in Type 2 diabetes mellitusDiabet Med · PMID 10220204 Vitamin E supplementation improves endothelial function in type I diabetes mellitus: a randomized, placebo-controlled studyJ Am Coll Cardiol · PMID 10898419
	LDL Oxidation	Improves (the measure goes down)		41 people

Zinc

Blood glucose: improves
HbA1c: improves
Insulin: changes; see studies

Zinc: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Blood glucose Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect		10 people
	HbA1c	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	10 people
Studies that measured hba1c Effect of zinc supplementation on glycemic biomarkers: an umbrella of interventional meta-analyses.Diabetol Metab Syndr · PMID 38849958
	Insulin	Changes; see studies		1 study	10 people
Studies that measured insulin Effect of zinc supplementation on insulin resistance and components of the metabolic syndrome in prepubertal obese childrenHormones · PMID 20045801
	Insulin Resistance	Improves (the measure goes down)			10 people

Taurine

Blood Flow: improves
Blood Pressure: improves
Heart Rate: improves

Taurine: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Blood Flow Moderate Increase	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect		19 people
	Blood Pressure	Improves (the measure goes down)		3 studies	19 people
Studies that measured blood pressure Two weeks taurine supplementation reverses endothelial dysfunction in young male type 1 diabeticsDiab Vasc Dis Res · PMID 20667936 Insights into the cardiovascular benefits of taurine: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutr J · PMID 39148075 Taurine Supplementation Lowers Blood Pressure and Improves Vascular Function in Prehypertension: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled StudyHypertension · PMID 26781281
	Heart Rate	Improves (the measure goes down)			19 people

Vitamin C

Aerobic Exercise Metrics
HbA1c: improves
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers: improves

Vitamin C: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Aerobic Exercise Metrics No effect		NoneNo effect	2 studies	26 people
Studies that measured aerobic exercise metrics Vitamin C consumption does not impair training-induced improvements in exercise performanceInt J Sports Physiol Perform · PMID 21487150 Effects of Applephenon and ascorbic acid on physical fatigueNutrition · PMID 17483009
	HbA1c	Improves (the measure goes down)		9 studies	74 people
Studies that measured hba1c Ascorbic acid supplementation improves skeletal muscle oxidative stress and insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes: Findings of a randomized controlled studyFree Radic Biol Med · PMID 26774673 Vitamin C may have similar beneficial effects to Gemfibrozil on serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in type 2 diabetic patientsJ Res Pharm Pract · PMID 25328896 Supplementation of vitamin C reduces blood glucose and improves glycosylated hemoglobin in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind studyAdv Pharmacol Sci · PMID 22242019 and 6 more on the Vitamin C page
	Oxidative Stress Biomarkers	Improves (the measure goes down)		5 studies	26 people
Studies that measured oxidative stress biomarkers Vitamin C supplementation lowers urinary levels of 4-hydroperoxy-2-nonenal metabolites in humansFree Radic Biol Med · PMID 21236333 High dosage of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol is not useful for diminishing oxidative stress and DNA damage in healthy elderly adultsAnn Nutr Metab · PMID 18446021 Orange juice ingestion and supplemental vitamin C are equally effective at reducing plasma lipid peroxidation in healthy adult womenJ Am Coll Nutr · PMID 14684757 and 2 more on the Vitamin C page
	Triglycerides	Improves (the measure goes down)		5 studies	50 people
Studies that measured triglycerides Effect of vitamin C on inflammation and metabolic markers in hypertensive and/or diabetic obese adults: a randomized controlled trialDrug Des Devel Ther · PMID 26170625 Does short-term vitamin C reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes?Endocr Pract · PMID 23757614 Effects of atorvastatin and vitamin C on forearm hyperaemic blood flow, asymmentrical dimethylarginine levels and the inflammatory process in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusHeart · PMID 16914485 and 2 more on the Vitamin C page
	Blood glucose	Improves (the measure goes down)		3 studies	100 people
Studies that measured blood glucose High-dose oral vitamin C partially replenishes vitamin C levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes and low vitamin C levels but does not improve endothelial dysfunction or insulin resistanceAm J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol · PMID 16126809 Megadose of vitamin C delays insulin response to a glucose challenge in normoglycemic adultsAm J Clin Nutr · PMID 7942581 FFA-induced endothelial dysfunction can be corrected by vitamin CJ Clin Endocrinol Metab · PMID 12050273
	Total cholesterol	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	50 people
	Heart Rate	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	26 people
	Plasma Vitamin C	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	76 people
	Blood Pressure	Improves (the measure goes down)			24 people
	Kidney Function	Improves (the measure goes up)			24 people

Fish Oil

C-Peptide
HbA1c: improves

Fish Oil: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	C-Peptide No effect		NoneNo effect	1 study	90 people
Studies that measured c-peptide Effect of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on C-peptide preservation in pregnant women with type-1 diabetes: randomized placebo controlled clinical trialEur J Clin Nutr · PMID 28378851
	HbA1c	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	90 people
Studies that measured hba1c The efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on plasma homocysteine and malondialdehyde levels of type 2 diabetic patientsNutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis · PMID 19540739 Treatment for 2 mo with n 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces adiposity and some atherogenic factors but does not improve insulin sensitivity in women with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled studyAm J Clin Nutr · PMID 18065585

Benfotiamine

HbA1c
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Nerve Repair: improves

Benfotiamine: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
HbA1c No effect		NoneNo effect		67 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) No effect		NoneNo effect		67 people
Nerve Repair	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	67 people
Inflammation	Changes; see studies			67 people
Total cholesterol	Changes; see studies			67 people

Vitamin D

Type 1 Diabetes Incidence: changes; see studies

Vitamin D: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Type 1 Diabetes Incidence	Changes; see studies		1 study	51 people

D-Ribose

Blood glucose: improves

D-Ribose: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Blood glucose	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	34 people

Resveratrol

Glycemic Control: improves

Resveratrol: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Glycemic Control	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	10 people

Bromelain

Type 1 Diabetes Incidence: changes; see studies

Bromelain: outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Type 1 Diabetes Incidence	Changes; see studies		1 study	20 people

Prescription medicines and peptides studied, for context

These are not supplements. Most need a prescription, and some are research compounds with no approved use. They are listed so the supplement evidence above can be read against them.

1 medicine or peptide

Pramlintide (Symlin)

HbA1c Reduction (Type 1): improves

Pramlintide (Symlin): outcomes studied for Type 1 Diabetes
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	HbA1c Reduction (Type 1) FDA-approved for type 1 diabetes. Long-term studies show HbA1c and weight reduction without increased severe hypoglycemia.	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	28 studies

Key findings

Blood glucoseSaffronImproves (the measure goes down)
Glycemic ControlFiberImproves (the measure goes up)
Beta-cell functionBeta-AlanineWorsens (the measure goes down)

The Type 1 Diabetes (Supportive Care) protocol

2 primary supplements · 2 supporting supplements

Vitamin D2,000–4,000 IU daily (target 40–60 ng/mL)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids2–3 g EPA/DHA daily

See the full protocol

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Support alongside medical care. These supplements are not a treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. If you are being treated for it, talk to your clinician before adding one: supplements can interact with medicines.

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The supplements graded A or B for Type 1 Diabetes. Each opens third-party tested products for that supplement.

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Grade B

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Studies cited

2 studies from PubMed

Short-term effects of a low carbohydrate diet on glycaemic variables and cardiovascular risk markers in patients with type 1 diabetes: A randomized open-label crossover trialDiabetes Obes Metab · PMID 28345762
A one-week reduced-carbohydrate diet to mitigate iatrogenic peripheral hyperinsulinemia does not improve insulin sensitivity or endothelial function in a randomized, crossover trial in patients with type 1 diabetes.Cardiovasc Diabetol · PMID 40045281