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Taking prescription medications for diabetes

Through extensive research, Nature Made science experts have identified essential nutrients helpful when taking certain diabetes medications such as Metformin, Glucophage®, or Glucovance®.

B vitamins, including folic acid

B vitamins help keep down the levels of homocysteine, an amino acid, in the blood. Some experts believe that elevated levels of homocysteine may affect heart health, so supplementing with vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid to reduce homocysteine levels may be important to maintaining a healthy heart.1 Lowering homocysteine levels has also been linked to healthy bones and cognitive function.

Several studies show that people who take diabetes medications may have lower levels of B12 and folic acid, key nutrients which support heart health.2 Metformin, the active agent in some prescription medications for diabetes, has been linked to reduced levels of these homocysteine-fighting nutrients in people who take these medications.3

A study reported in the Journal of Internal Medicine examined whether Metformin could affect levels of folic acid, B12, and homocysteine in 353 people with type 2 Diabetes who were being treated with insulin. After 16 weeks, the group given Metformin had increased levels of homocysteine and decreased levels of folic acid and B12, compared with the placebo group.4

These nutrients are also important in other ways:

  • B12, or cobalamin, is essential to the manufacture of DNA and of red blood cells, which take oxygen to other cells.
  • Folic acid, or folate, is important to cell division, DNA synthesis, and the development of a fetus’s nervous system.
  • B6 aids in the metabolism of many amino acids and the creation of hemoglobin and its ability to carry oxygen, and the functioning of the nervous and immune systems.
  • Glucophage® and Glucovance® are registered trademarks of Lipha Corp.

1Quinlivan EP, et al Importance of both folic acid and vitamin B12 in reduction of risk of vascular disease. Lancet. 2002 Jan 19;359(9302):227-8

2Effects of short-term treatment with metformin on serum concentrations of homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Wulffele, M.G., et al. Journal of Internal Medicine. 2003 Nov;254(5):455-63.

Ting RZ, et al: Risk factors of vitamin B(12) deficiency in patients receiving metformin. Arch Intern Med. 2006 Oct 9;166(18):1975-

Aarsand AK, et al: Folate administration reduces circulating homocysteine levels in NIDDM patients on long-term metformin treatment. J Intern Med. 1998 Aug;244(2):169-74.

3Quinlivan EP, et al Importance of both folic acid and vitamin B12 in reduction of risk of vascular disease. Lancet. 2002 Jan 19;359(9302):227-8

4Effects of short-term treatment with metformin on serum concentrations of homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. sutra.