When blood glucose amounts increase, as is the case in response to a meal, insulin acts as a key to unlock the cell, allowing glucose to enter. Glucose is then used by the cell, specifically the mitochondria, to create cellular energy (known as adenosine triphosphate or ATP), which fuels nearly all cellular activity. However, when the body’s cells become resistant to the action of insulin — a common symptom of metabolic syndrome or other related metabolic conditions, like polycystic ovarian syndrome or type 2 diabetes mellitus — energy production may become impaired.

From the moment food is eaten to the point of energy production, countless biochemical processes happen seamlessly. These reactions rely on nutrients (called cofactors) to ensure each step occurs. Inside and outside a cell is a microscopic world teeming with intricate machinery that enables it to survive, adapt, and respond to its environment. Receptors at the cell’s surface reach out like antennas, gathering information and sensing its outer world. Internally, cellular machinery, called organelles, collaborate to ensure energy production required for survival. Just as machines rely on fuel and maintenance, biochemical processes are sustained by specific nutrients that act as fuel for these complex pathways. Although many vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients may support energy and insulin metabolism, three will be discussed: lipoic acid, carnosine, and taurine. 

Lipoic Acid

Lipoic acid (often called α-lipoic acid, ALA) is a naturally occurring compound found in plant and animal sources. The body can produce lipoic acid, which the mitochondria utilize to support antioxidant status. As the body ages, endogenously produced lipoic acid decreases, which may contribute to cardiometabolic conditions and the dysfunction that occurs with it, such as endothelial dysfunction. Lipoic acid may help to support metabolism, energy production, and the body’s antioxidant status. Mechanistic data show that lipoic acid may closely mimic the action of insulin by modulating the cell’s expression of the receptors that typically respond to it – GLUT4. This process may allow more glucose to enter cells, which may support energy metabolism, even in an insulin-resistant environment.  

In a retrospective study, 32 overweight and obese women with PCOS were given 400 mg/day of ALA for 12 weeks. The study's objective was to investigate the effects of ALA on metabolic parameters in this population, including glucose, insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), C-peptide, and Hepatic Insulin Extraction (HIE). HIE is a novel assessment for insulin resistance and insight into liver health. Compared to baseline measurements, the study participants who were given 400 mg/day of ALA for 12 weeks exhibited decreased amounts of glucose (p = 0.047), insulin (p = 0.006), HOMA-IR (p = 0.002), and HIE (p = 0.01). A key observation from the authors indicates that the efficacy of ALA may be likened to its use as an agent that supports antioxidant status. This has been established in previous work. 

Carnosine 

Carnosine is a compound that may support a healthy inflammatory response, antioxidant status, and may promote healthy blood sugar and insulin metabolism. In T2DM, the accumulation of advanced glycation end products, also known as AGEs, is common. AGEs may interfere with healthy blood sugar and insulin metabolism. Carnosine may protect against tissue glycation and has been shown to decrease its occurrence. In comparison to lean healthy control (LHC) human skeletal muscle cells, primary T2DM skeletal muscle cells that were given 10 mM carnosine for four days exhibited significantly increased glucose uptake that was insulin-stimulated (p = 0.047). Additionally, attenuation of insulin-stimulated increase of an AGE called methylglyoxal (MGO) was reported, which decreased from 47% to 9.7% (p = 0.011). 

A systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effect of carnosine on markers of glucose and insulin metabolism in overweight and obese, type 1 diabetic, and T2DM participants. Pooled data from three randomized clinical trials (n = 174) reported that the study participants who were given carnosine (between one to two grams each day, in divided doses for up to 12 weeks) exhibited decreased fasting glucose (mean difference, MD = -0.95 mmol/L), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C; MD = 0.91%), HOMA-IR (standardized mean difference, SMD = -0.41), and fasting insulin (SMD = -0.41). These data suggest that carnosine may be able to support blood sugar and insulin metabolism not only through its ability to support antioxidant status, but also by promoting glucose and insulin homeostasis. 

Taurine 

Taurine is an amino acid synthesized from the amino acids methionine and cysteine. Taurine is considered a conditionally essential amino acid, which means that humans may need to replenish it in higher amounts when the demand for its use increases. Taurine is found ubiquitously in mammalian tissues, but not plant foods. Like carnosine, taurine may promote glucose and insulin homeostasis by supporting the body’s antioxidant status. In the context of type 1 and T2DM cell and animal models, the intervention groups given taurine exhibited reduced AGE formation and attenuated low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. 

A systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effect of taurine on markers of diabetes in human participants. The review included data from five randomized controlled studies (N = 219). The primary outcomes included changes in glycemic indices, including fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1C, HOMA-IR, and insulin. Compared to the controls, the study participants who were given taurine in the range of one to three grams each day for between two and 16 weeks exhibited significantly reduced HbA1C (SMD: -0.41; p = 0.01), FBG (SMD: -1.28; p = 0.03), HOMA-IR (SMD: -0.64; p = 0.03), and reduced insulin (SMD: -0.48), although insulin did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.06). 

Conclusion

For individuals who are affected by metabolic conditions like PCOS, insulin resistance, and T2DM, supporting glucose and insulin metabolism is important for overall health. Lipoic acid, carnosine, and taurine are only three of the numerous vitamins, minerals, and other compounds required to support healthy cellular metabolism. These three compounds may support healthy insulin metabolism by supporting antioxidant status and healthy metabolic homeostasis. While more research is needed to understand their full scope further, these nutrients offer a path for promoting the body’s energy pathways. 

Learn more about nutrients and metabolism: 

New Review Investigates the Modulatory Properties of Vitamin D in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Micronutrients to Promote Endothelial Integrity and Healthy Inflammatory Status

Taurine and Glycine: The Benefits of Combining These Two Amino Acids

By Bri Mesenbring, MS, CNS, LDN