Experts Warn Diabetes Patients About Risky Supplements

Certain vitamins, herbs, and other supplements can dangerously affect blood sugar levels and interact with medications.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Experts are cautioning people with diabetes to be careful with certain supplements that can negatively impact blood sugar levels and interact with medications. Supplements like St. John's Wort, chromium, bitter melon, niacin, ginseng, beta-carotene, high-dose cinnamon, and aloe vera may pose serious health risks for those with diabetes.

Why it matters

Many people with diabetes use supplements to try to manage their condition, but some of these supplements can actually be harmful. This story highlights the importance of consulting with healthcare providers before taking any supplements, as they may interfere with diabetes medications and blood sugar control.

The details

Experts warn that supplements like St. John's Wort, chromium, bitter melon, niacin, ginseng, beta-carotene, high-dose cinnamon, and aloe vera can dangerously affect blood sugar levels and interact with diabetes medications. For example, St. John's Wort can interfere with how the body breaks down diabetes drugs, making them less effective. Chromium and bitter melon supplements may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when combined with diabetes medications. High-dose niacin and cinnamon can raise blood sugar levels, while aloe vera may cause blood sugar to drop too low.

  • Experts issued these warnings in February 2026.

The players

Dawn Menning

A California-based registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist with Nutu, a healthy lifestyle app.

Michelle Routhenstein

A preventive cardiology dietitian at EntirelyNourished.com in New York.

Jordan Hill

A registered dietitian with Top Nutrition Coaching in Colorado.

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What they’re saying

“This herbal remedy can interfere with many diabetes medications by affecting the way the body breaks them down. This can make medications less effective and blood sugar management more difficult.”

— Dawn Menning, Registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist

“Taking this supplement with insulin or oral diabetes medications may increase the risk of hypoglycemia.”

— Dawn Menning, Registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist

“I would caution against using high-dose niacin supplements because it can noticeably raise blood sugar levels and make it harder to keep A1c in an optimal range.”

— Michelle Routhenstein, Preventive cardiology dietitian

The takeaway

This story highlights the importance for people with diabetes to be very cautious about taking supplements, as many can have dangerous interactions with diabetes medications and negatively impact blood sugar control. Consulting with healthcare providers before using any supplements is crucial to avoid potential health risks.