Keeping blood sugar levels in a healthy range can be a daily challenge when you’re living with diabetes. Many people with type 2 diabetes take a medicine called metformin to help control blood glucose (blood sugar).

Some people may wonder if supplements such as Gluco-Pro could help make managing diabetes easier, reduce side effects, or improve their overall health. This article will explore these questions so you can make informed choices about your diabetes care.

What Is Gluco-Pro?

Gluco-Pro is a dietary supplement that claims to support healthy glucose levels. You can find it in pharmacies and vitamin shops and also buy it online.

It’s important to know that Gluco-Pro is not a medicine. It’s a supplement — something you can add to your daily routine — and doesn’t replace prescription medications like metformin. Supplements should always be used with your doctor’s guidance and alongside medical treatment, not instead of it.

Many products such as Gluco-Pro contain a mix of natural ingredients. Here are some of the common ingredients and what they’re believed to do.

Glucosamine

Usually taken to help joints stay healthy, glucosamine may be included in products that claim to aid blood sugar management. Research on whether glucosamine lowers blood sugar is mixed, with many studies showing no effect. Researchers are still looking into glucosamine’s potential role in this area.

Chondroitin

Chondroitin, another joint-support ingredient, may help reduce inflammation. Some research suggests that chondroitin may help prevent bone loss, decrease blood sugar, and reduce stress on cells in people with diabetes, but the evidence is limited and not strong.

Vanadium

Early research suggested this mineral might mimic insulin and control blood sugar levels, but other studies found no effect. High doses can be toxic, and vanadium isn’t considered safe for diabetes.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

This antioxidant may boost the body’s use of insulin and protect nerves from diabetes-related damage, which can cause symptoms like numbness or pain. Researchers are still looking into alpha-lipoic acid’s effects on blood sugar levels.

Berberine

Some studies showed that this plant compound, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine, helped lower blood sugar and improved the body’s response to insulin in people with type 2 diabetes. A 2024 review of research suggested that berberine may have beneficial effects, but the study authors noted that more high-quality studies are needed.

It’s important to remember that ingredients labeled “natural” aren’t necessarily safe or more effective than medicine. Natural products can still have strong effects, especially in high doses. Sometimes supplements have too much or too little of certain ingredients, which can lead to side effects or health risks.

How Does Metformin Help With Diabetes?

Metformin is a prescription medicine commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes. Metformin helps lower blood sugar by:

• Reducing how much sugar the liver makes so less circulates in the blood
• Helping the body use insulin better, so it’s easier for sugar from food to move into cells
• Slowing the absorption of sugar from food, helping to reduce spikes after meals

Overall, the effects of metformin help keep blood sugar levels lower and more stable, especially after meals. For some people, metformin also helps with weight loss, which can be helpful for managing diabetes. Extra weight can make blood sugar harder to control.

Metformin is one of the most studied and trusted diabetes medications. Health organizations recommend it as the first medicine to try when someone is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Supplements such as Gluco-Pro might sound interesting, but they don’t work the same way as prescription drugs like metformin and don’t replace them. Never stop or change your diabetes treatment without first getting medical advice. Skipping your prescribed medicine could lead to serious health problems, like dangerously high blood sugar, nerve damage, or heart disease.

What Are the Potential Risks of Supplements?

Supplements like Gluco-Pro might sound helpful, but they come with real risks, especially when you have a serious condition like diabetes.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees supplements, but it doesn’t review or approve them for safety and effectiveness. That means:

• Companies don’t have to prove the supplement works before selling it.
• Ingredients listed on the label might not match what’s actually inside.
• Products may contain harmful substances or too little of the ingredients that are supposed to help.
• Quality can vary between batches — so, for example, one bottle of Gluco-Pro might be different from another.

Supplements May Interact With Drugs and Cause Side Effects

If you’re thinking about taking Gluco-Pro while using metformin or another diabetes medication, talk to your doctor first. Combining a supplement and a prescription drug can change how your body responds and cause side effects. For example:

• Vanadium may lower blood sugar too much when combined with metformin, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This can cause shakiness, sweating, confusion, or fainting.
• Alpha-lipoic acid may also raise the risk of low blood sugar, especially when used with other medicines.
• Berberine can affect how your body breaks down other drugs, which could lead to side effects or change how well drugs like metformin work.
• Other ingredients in supplements may strain the kidneys or liver, especially when taken at doses or over a long period.

Natural substances can still have strong effects on your body, so always check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding any supplement to your routine.

Build a Strong Foundation for Diabetes Care

If you’re curious about Gluco-Pro or other supplements, you’re not alone. Many people with diabetes look for ways to feel better and stay on track. Just remember — supplements are not proven treatments, and they don’t work like prescription medications.

If you take metformin or another diabetes medicine, adding a supplement without checking with a healthcare professional could lead to side effects or interfere with your care. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you decide what may be safe and beneficial based on your needs.

Managing diabetes takes more than one solution. Work closely with your doctor, follow your treatment plan, and make helpful lifestyle changes — eat healthy meals and snacks, stay active, manage stress, and prioritize sleep. Paying attention to all aspects of your health can help you live well with diabetes.

Talk With Others Who Understand

DiabetesTeam is the social network for people with diabetes and their loved ones. On DiabetesTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with diabetes.

Have you wondered about taking a supplement like Gluco-Pro to help with diabetes? Have you tried any of the supplements mentioned in this article? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.