What supplements can I take to lower my A1c?

If you’re looking for a supplement to lower your A1c, berberine, may be your best bet. One meta-analysis found 500-1,500 mg of berberine daily to be equally effective at lowering blood glucose as 1500 mg of metformin and 4 g of glibenclamide - two medications commonly prescribed for blood sugar control [

1

]. The effectiveness of berberine supplementation was measured by how well the drugs reduced biomarkers of type II diabetes, including fasting blood glucose and A1c. 

For the purpose of reducing blood sugar and HbA1c, human and animal research suggests 1500 mg of berberine daily, split into three (500 mg) doses throughout the day, with a meal or shortly after to maximize the potential benefit on blood glucose after eating [

2

].

Although berberine supplementation may be effective for lowering A1c, it is still less substantiated than most prescription medications and warrants more research, specifically in regards to its long-term effects. Moreover, diet is also an important component of component of reducing your blood sugar levels and should be considered for lowering A1c.