Q. Do complementary agents lower HbA1c when used with standard type 2 diabetes therapy? A. No, there is no high-quality evidence that supports using complementary or alternative agents to lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in patients with noninsulin dependent type 2 diabetes. Oral chromium in widely varying doses reduces HbA1c a small amount (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C, meta-analysis of low-quality randomized, controlled trials [RCTs] of disease-oriented outcomes, with inconsistent results). Oral cinnamon 1 to 3 g/d causes a small (<0.1%) drop in HbA1c (SOR: C, meta-analysis of low-quality RCTs of disease-oriented outcomes). Fenugreek, milk thistle, safflower oil, and sweet potato extract may also reduce HbA1c (SOR: C, small, low-quality RCTs of disease-oriented outcomes)
