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Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Diabetic foot ulcers are open sores, usually on the sole or toes, that form when nerve damage and poor circulation from diabetes let a small injury turn into a lasting wound. The one supplement trial reviewed here gave guduchi, an Ayurvedic herb, alongside surgical care and found no clear difference in how the ulcers fared. It was a single study of 45 people, so the evidence is very limited, and wound care, pressure relief and blood sugar control stay at the center of care.

Sources: PMID 17558098

Supplements studied
4
Graded outcomes
2
Trials
3
People studied
1,033

Evidence by supplement

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

4 supplements

Guduchi: outcomes studied for Diabetic Foot Ulcers
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Diabetic Foot Ulcers Symptoms

No effect

NoneNo effect1 study45 people
Neutrophil CountImproves (the measure goes up)45 people
Guduchi: outcomes studied for Diabetic Foot Ulcers
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Diabetic Foot Ulcers Symptoms

No effect

NoneNo effect45 people
Neutrophil CountImproves (the measure goes up)45 people

Vitamin D

  • Wound Healing: improves
Vitamin D: outcomes studied for Diabetic Foot Ulcers
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Wound HealingImproves (the measure goes up)1 study

Studies that measured wound healing

Calendula Officinalis

  • Diabetic Foot Ulcers Symptoms: changes; see studies
Calendula Officinalis: outcomes studied for Diabetic Foot Ulcers
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Diabetic Foot Ulcers SymptomsChanges; see studies1 study32 people

Studies that measured diabetic foot ulcers symptoms

Key findings

  • Diabetic Foot Ulcers SymptomsGuduchi

The Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing Support protocol

2 primary supplements · 7 supporting supplements

  • Medical-Grade Honey (Topical)Medical-grade honey dressings (Medihoney, Manuka honey products) applied as directed by wound care team
  • Zinc30–50 mg daily during active wound healing

See the full protocol

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Support alongside medical care. These supplements are not a treatment for Diabetic Foot Ulcers. If you are being treated for it, talk to your clinician before adding one: supplements can interact with medicines.

Fullscript collectionMetabolic health: evidence-graded picksOpen on Fullscript

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Studies cited

2 studies from PubMed

  1. Use of honey in diabetic foot ulcer: Systematic review and meta-analysis.J Tissue Viability · PMID 37032304
  2. Effectiveness of honey dressing in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Complement Ther Clin Pract · PMID 30712715