Insulin

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Also indexed as:

Animal-Source Insulin: Iletin, Human Analog Insulin: Humanlog, Human Insulin (Humulin, Novolin), NovoRapid, Oralin

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.

Herbs

Summary of Interactions for Insulin

Depletion or interference	DHEA
Adverse interaction	Tobacco
Side effect reduction/prevention	None known
Supportive interaction	Biotin Fenugreek Vitamin E
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability	None known
Other (see text)	Chromium Gymnema sylvestre*

An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Interactions with Supplements

Chromium

Chromium supplements have been shown to improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes.¹ 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.² More research is needed to determine the significance of this finding.

Interactions with Herbs

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.³ 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.⁴ 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.⁵ Therefore, people currently using insulin for the treatment of diabetes should discuss the use of this herb with their healthcare professional.

Other Interactions

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).⁶ People using insulin should avoid alcohol.

Tobacco (Nicotiana species)

Smoking may decrease insulin activity,⁷ and it compounds the health problems associated with diabetes. People using insulin are cautioned to avoid smoking.

References

1. Anderson RA, Cheng N, Bryden NA, Polansky MM, Cheng N, Chi J, et al. Elevated intakes of supplemental chromium improve glucose and insulin variables in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes 1997;46:1786-91.
2. Lavallee B, Provost PR, Kahwash Z, et al. Effect of insulin on serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone metabolites in men. Clin Endocrinol 1997;46:93-100.
3. Sharma RD, Raghuram TC, Sudhakar Rao N. Effect of fenugreek seeds on blood glucose and serum lipids in type 1 diabetes. Eur J Clin Nutr 1990;44:301-6.
4. Sharma RD, Sakar A, Hazra DK, et al. Use of fenugreek seed powder in the management of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Nutr Res 1996;16:1131-9.
5. Shanmugasundaram ER, Rajeswari G, Baskaran K, et al. Use of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in the control of blood glucose in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Ethnopharmacol 1990;30:281-94.
6. Threlkeld DS, ed. Hormones, Antidiabetic Agents, Insulin. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Oct 1997, 129f-9j.
7. Threlkeld DS, ed. Hormones, Antidiabetic Agents, Insulin. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Oct 1997, 129f-9j.

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Last Review: 01-21-2009

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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 February 2010.

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