Evalar Dietary Supplements in Type 2 Diabetes: A Rational Look at Popular Products

Evalar is one of the best-known manufacturers of dietary supplements in Russia. A number of its products are marketed as supportive options for people with elevated blood sugar levels. It is important to understand their real role, composition, and place in comprehensive therapy.

Key principle: a dietary supplement is not a medication.
No product from Evalar or any other company replaces physician-prescribed glucose-lowering drugs (metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, etc.), diet, physical activity, and regular glucose monitoring.

Overview of some popular Evalar products for type 2 diabetes

1. “Oligim” (teas, tablets, elixir)

Claimed effect: Support of normal blood glucose levels.

Main components:

• Inulin (from chicory): A prebiotic fiber. Slows the absorption of carbohydrates from food and may help smooth postprandial (after-meal) glucose spikes. Beneficial for the gut microbiota.

• Gymnema sylvestre: A traditional Ayurvedic plant. Some studies suggest it may reduce intestinal glucose absorption and support pancreatic beta-cell function. The effect is usually mild and supportive.

Reality:
This is a plant-fiber complex that may provide a moderate supportive effect as part of a proper diet. It should not be expected to act like a medication.

2. “Diabeton” (herbal teas, herbal blends)

Composition:
Usually herbal mixtures traditionally used in folk medicine (galega/goat’s rue, bean pods, bilberry leaf, nettle, St. John’s wort, etc.).

Effect:
Many of these plants have mild diuretic properties and contain chromium and other biologically active substances. Their benefits are not proven in large clinical trials and are generally tonic rather than therapeutic.

3. “Chromium Citrate” / “Chromium Chelate”

What it is:
The trace element chromium in a bioavailable form.

Role in diabetes:
Chromium participates in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and may improve cellular sensitivity to insulin. It is most useful when a real chromium deficiency exists (which is difficult to confirm). Without deficiency, the effect may be minimal or absent.

4. Vitamin-mineral complexes (“For Diabetes”)

Purpose:
To compensate for increased needs or deficiencies of vitamins and minerals in people with diabetes (vitamins C, E, B-group vitamins, zinc, magnesium, selenium, etc.).

Reality:
This is the most justified use of dietary supplements. Vitamin deficiencies do commonly accompany diabetes. However, it is best to choose products with evidence-based dosages and after consulting a physician.

Critically important safety rules when considering Evalar supplements

1. Do not replace therapy.
   The greatest danger is independently stopping or reducing prescribed medication in hopes of supplement effects. This can cause a sharp rise in glucose and complications.

2. Inform your doctor.
   Always tell your endocrinologist if you plan to take or are already taking a supplement. Interactions with medications are possible.

3. Monitor blood sugar.
   Starting any supplement is a reason to check glucose more often to track your individual response (both positive and negative).

4. Beware of marketing.
   Labels like “for diabetes” or “normalizes sugar” indicate the target audience, not a medicine. Focus on the active ingredients.

5. Quality and dosage.
   Make sure you purchase an original product. Pay attention to the amount of the active substance in the daily serving — sometimes it is too small for the expected effect.

6. Contraindications.
   Consider other medical conditions (allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, kidney or liver disease).

Conclusion: a rational approach

Evalar products may be considered as:

• A source of additional dietary fiber (“Oligim” with inulin) to improve digestion and modulate glucose levels.

• A potential way to correct micronutrient deficiencies (chromium, vitamins).

• Herbal blends for general tonic support within herbal medicine.

However, their effects are not comparable in strength to primary treatment methods. The main and essential tools remain:

1. A low-carbohydrate or balanced diet.

2. Regular physical activity.

3. Taking physician-prescribed medications.

4. Self-monitoring of blood glucose.

If you want to use Evalar supplements as supportive therapy, do so consciously: after discussing with your doctor, without unrealistic expectations, and while continuing all core diabetes management recommendations.