Hi Stu. I take a multivitamin dissolvable tablet each day or a vitamin c drink (rubes/beeline etc), I also take a glucosamine tablet for joints, I've had a lot of trouble with my knees, working on them for years plus I run and cycle a good bit. I usually take them with a meal but I've taken them on their own without insulin and have noticed no change in my BM? I use a protein recovery shake after a hard session on the bike. It has a carb in it so it will affect your sugars and took a bit of fine tuning to get right but I found I wasn't as sore and tired the day after since I've been using them. Hope this helps?