Diabetes,
vitamins and dietary supplements
Depending
on the type of treatment regimen you use to control
your diabetes, some vitamins may be of use to your
condition. Before taking any vitamin or supplements,
check with your healthcare team and doctor for what
affect it may have upon your diabetes.
ALA
and GLA
ALA (alpha-lipoic
acid) is a versatile and potent antioxidant, and may
function to help diabetic neuropathy and reduce pain
from free-radical damage. Also, it some studies link
ALA to decreased insulin resistance and thus the control
of blood sugar.
GLA (gamma-lipoic acid) is another naturally occurring
antioxidant that is present in evening primrose oil,
borage oil and blackcurrant seed oil. GLA may improve
the function of nerves damaged by diabetic neuropathy.
Evening primrose oil can help to reduce nerve damage.
Biotin
Biotin
works in synergy with insulin in the body, and independently
increases the activity of the enzyme glucokinase.
Glucokinase is responsible for the first step of glucose
utilisation, and is therefore an essential component
of normal bodily functioning. Glucokinase occurs only
in the liver, and in sufferers from diabetes its concentration
may be extremely low. Supplements of biotin may have
a significant effect on glucose levels for both type
1 and type 2 diabetics. Experts advise taking 16mg
of biotin for several weeks and monitoring any fall
in blood sugar levels.
Carnitine
(L-Carnitine, Acetyl L-Carnitine)
Carnitine
is required by the body in order to correctly use
body fat in the production of energy. It is naturally
occurring and derives from hydrophilic amino acids.
Diabetics who try carnitine generally respond well,
and high levels of fat in the bloodstream (cholesterol
and triglycerides) may fall fast. Carnitine helps
to break down fatty acids in the body and binds acyl
residues. For these reasons, it may be useful to prevent
diabetic ketoacidosis.
Chromium
Chromium
is a crucial nutrient in the bodies fight against
diabetes. By using either brewer’s yeast stocked
with chromium, or chromium chloride, diabetic patients
may be able to improve glucose tolerance, lower their
fasting glucose levels, decrease insulin levels and
cut cholesterol and triglyceride levels, whilst increasing
HDL-cholesterol levels.
Several principal double-blind studies have shown
that supplemental chromium may raise glucose tolerance
in patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Exercise also increases the concentration of tissue
chromium. Chromium may have a role to play in pre-diabetics
and women suffering from gestational diabetes.
Coenzyme
Q10
Coenzyme
Q10 is a compound that occurs naturally in the body,
and may be able to help with carbohydrate metabolism.
It is has been proven that animals suffering from
diabetes are coenzyme Q10 deficient. Clinical trials
using coenzyme Q10 suggest that supplementation may
significantly lower blood sugar levels. Coenzyme Q10
also oxygenates the blood, and therefore may be able
to help in some cases of diabetic retinopathy.
Inositol
Inositol
is an important part of several key bodily processes
including the health of cell membranes and blood cholesterol
levels. Furthermore, inositol may have a role to play
in reversing the effects of diabetic neuropathy (nervous
damage) caused by diabetes.
Manganese
A deficiency
of manganese is common amongst diabetics, and in some
circles it is thought to actually be a part of the
cause of diabetes. Manganese could be a key co-factor
in the way enzymes within the body handle glucose
metabolism.
Magnesium
Magnesium
tends to decline in people with diabetics, and may
fall to dangerously low levels amongst those suffering
from severe diabetic retinopathy. Magnesium deficiency
has been shown to directly influence the blood sugar
control of type 2 diabetics. Magnesium deficiency
may interrupt the insulin secretion process, and also
increase insulin resistance. When using supplemental
insulin, diabetics may be able to lower their insulin
dosage. Homeopathic doctors advise approximately 300-400mg
of magnesium every day.
Niacin
High levels
of niacin may actually impair glucose tolerance, and
should therefore be avoided by diabetics. However,
smaller amounts can help some type 2 diabetics to
lower their glucose levels.
Potassium
Administering
insulin to the body, the treatment regime employed
by many diabetics, may cause a potassium deficiency.
By supplementing a healthy diet with potassium, sufferers
from diabetes may improve their sensitivity to insulin,
and the effectiveness of the hormone.
Taurine
Taurine
is not used in protein synthesis, but is generally
found in protein-rich foods. Type 1 diabetics often
suffer from low taurine levels, and this can in turn
affect the thickness of the blood and increase the
risk of heart disease. Supplementary taurine for diabetic
patients may be able to correct levels of blood viscosity.
Vanadium
Vanadium
supplements may lead to a slight increase in sensitivity
to insulin, and may therefore allow diabetic patients
to decrease the amount of insulin that they need to
keep their blood sugar levels under control. Studies
on both animals and humans have proved links between
vanadium levels and normal blood glucose.
Vitamin
E
Vitamin
E can oxygenate the blood, fight toxins and improve
the activity of insulin within the body. When the
body has an insufficient amount of vitamin E, internal
structures can be damaged by enhanced free-radical
damage. Increasing vitamin E in the bloodstream may
decrease the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes,
and in type 2 diabetics may improve glucose tolerance.
Furthermore, the antioxidant nature of vitamin E may
reduce the risk of diabetic complications.
Vitamin
C
Type 1
diabetics generally have low vitamin C levels. By
increasing the amount of vitamin c in the bloodstream,
the amount of sorbitol may be lowered. Sorbitol is
a harmful sugar when it accumulates, and its presence
may lead to increased risk of diabetic complications
such as retinopathy, neuropathy and kidney damage.
In the case of type 2 diabetics, vitamin c may play
a role in improving glucose tolerance. Experts suggest
between 1 and 3 g of vitamin c per day for diabetes
sufferers.
Vitamin
B6
Neuropathy,
the severe damage caused to the nervous system by
high blood sugar levels, may be associated with deficiency
of vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine. Pyridoxine
supplements may be able to improve glucose tolerance,
particularly for sufferers from gestational diabetes,
or impaired glucose tolerance caused by the birth
control pill. Vitamin B6 also has a strong role to
play in the prevention of diabetes-related complications.
Vitamin
B12
Vitamin
B12 may have a strong role to play when treating diabetic
neuropathy. The presence of vitamin b 12 is necessary
for the correct functioning of nerve cells, and therefore
taking it as a supplement may help to reduce nerve
damage. In extreme cases, the extra effect of intramuscular
B12 may be necessary. Experts advise taking up to
500 mcg of B12 three times per day.
Zinc
The presence
of a zinc deficiency in the body has also been suggested
to contribute to the development of diabetes in some
humans. Zinc itself may be a crucial element in insulin
metabolism. Zinc is well-known as a powerful guardian
against viral infections, and may also act to protect
beta cells from destruction. Type 1 diabetics are
often zinc deficient, and supplements have been shown
to lower blood sugar levels in some type 1 cases.
Experts advise type 2 diabetics to supplement their
diet with a moderate amount of zinc to counteract
the loss of zinc in the urination process. Patients
are advised to always keep a balance of bodily minerals.
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