Nutritional supplements do not reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes, Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Department of Internal Medicine consultant physician Dr Nerenthran Loganathan warned. Therefore, the public should not fall for the sales pitch of those offering nutritional supplements, especially those in the direct selling category, he said.

“It is not advisable for diabetics to take herbal supplements as the products may affect the absorption of your medication and decrease the effectiveness of the drug,” he said of herbal preparations that are targeted at people with diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

“There are no clear clinical trials to prove that these supplements retard the disease’s progress. In fact, the Ministry of Health has on its website a list of these herbal preparations so those in doubt can verify it on line,” he said. According to Dr Nerenthran, a change of lifestyle can reduce the risk of getting diabetes by almost 60 per cent. “So exercise and have a balanced diet. Manage your weight and those overweight should lose their excess pounds because losing one to two pounds a week can make a difference. Try to work out at least 30 minutes seven days a week or 10 minutes three times a day.