Insulin Resistance & Prediabetes
The window before HbA1c A blood test that reflects average blood sugar over the previous two to three months. crosses 5.7%.
The letters on this page
Sixteen interventions on this page. Thirteen carry a letter; three are listed without one, with the reason.
- •Long-term metformin is associated with lower vitamin B12 and may also be associated with lower folate.
- •Berberine adds to the glucose-lowering effect of metformin, sulfonylureas and other diabetes medications, raising the risk of low blood sugar. Any dose change is a decision for the prescriber.
- •Chromium can modestly lower fasting glucose and HbA1c in some pooled trials and may add to the effects of insulin and other glucose-lowering medications.
PREDIMED cohort + meta-analyses A study that pools the numbers from several trials into one combined estimate.
Improves HOMA-IR in 12-week RCTs Randomized controlled trial: people are assigned to the treatment or a comparison by chance, so the groups differ only in what they received. It is the design that can show cause and effect.
Not graded for this use. Magnesium's graded uses are sleep quality in primary insomnia and cardiovascular events. Insulin sensitivity is not among them.
Improves insulin sensitivity independent of weight loss
Not graded for this use. Omega-3's graded uses are all cardiovascular endpoints. Insulin sensitivity is not among them.
Not graded for this use. Vitamin D is graded by use and none of those uses is glycemic control.
The 142-person scale-up of the positive pilot missed its primary endpoint (PMID 42343233); a second trial found no between-group difference (PMID 39879980).
Anything in this page is educational only. Whether to start, stop or change a supplement for this condition, and how it fits with any medication you take, is a decision for your clinician. The Drug-Nutrient Depletion tool and the Contraindications Search are designed to help you prepare that conversation.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any grade on this page describes the strength of published human trial evidence in the populations studied. It is not a recommendation for any individual and is not medical advice. Starting, stopping or changing any supplement or medication is a decision for your physician.