Nutritional Supplements for Diabetes

[Guest guest]

Nutritional supplements for Diabetes

 

Vitamin E

People with diabetes have a higher than usual need for vitamin E, which improves

insulin activity and acts as an antioxidant and a blood oxygenator. Research has

shown that people with low blood levels of vitamin E are more likely to develop

Type 2 diabetes. Double-blind studies show that vitamin E improves glucose

tolerance in people with Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM). Vitamin E was found to improve

glucose tolerance in elderly non-diabetics.

 

A vitamin E deficiency results in increased free-radical-induced damage,

particularly of the lining of the vascular system. Supplemental vitamin E may

help prevent diabetic complications through its antioxidant activity, the

inhibition of the platelet-releasing reaction and platelet aggregation,

increasing HDL-cholesterol levels and its role in fatty acid metabolism. Vitamin

E protects animals from diabetic cataracts.

 

The most impressive study on vitamin E and diabetes used a total of 1,350

international units of d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate daily, divided into three

doses. Begin by taking 400 international units each morning. After two weeks,

add another dose of 400 international units in the evening. After two more

weeks, add another 400 international units in the afternoon.

 

It may require three months or more of supplementation for benefits to become

apparent. The trace mineral selenium functions synergistically with vitamin E.

Note: If you have high blood pressure, limit your intake of supplemental vitamin

E to a total of 400 international units daily. If you are taking an

anticoagulant (blood thinner), consult your physician before taking supplemental

vitamin E.

 

Vitamin C

People with Type 1 diabetes (IDDM) have low vitamin C levels. Vitamin C lowers

sorbitol in diabetics. Sorbitol is a sugar that can accumulate and damage the

eyes, nerves, and kidneys of diabetics. Vitamin C may improve glucose tolerance

in Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM).

 

The transport of vitamin C into cells is facilitated by insulin. It has been

postulated that, due to impaired transport or dietary insufficiency, a relative

vitamin C deficiency exists in the diabetic and that this may be responsible for

the increased capillary permeability and other vascular disturbances seen in

diabetics.

 

If you are diabetic, supplement your diet with 1-3 grams per day of vitamin C.

 

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Diabetics with neuropathy have been shown to be deficient in vitamin B6 and

benefit from supplementation. Peripheral neuropathy is a known result of

pyridoxine deficiency and is indistinguishable from diabetic neuropathy. Vitamin

B6 supplements improve glucose tolerance in women with diabetes caused by

pregnancy. Vitamin B6 is also effective for glucose intolerance induced by the

birth control pill. 1,800 mg per day of a special form of vitamin B6-pyridoxine

alpha-ketoglutarate-improves glucose tolerance dramatically.

 

Pyridoxine is also important in preventing other diabetic complications because

it is an important coenzyme in the cross-linking of collagen and inhibits

platelet aggregation.

 

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 supplementation has been used with some success in treating diabetic

neuropathy. It is not clear if this is due to the correcting of a deficiency

state or normalizing vitamin B12 metabolism.

 

Vitamin B12 is needed for normal functioning of nerve cells. Vitamin B12 taken

orally, intravenously, or by injection reduces nerve damage caused by diabetes

in most people.

 

Oral supplementation may be sufficient, but intramuscular vitamin B12 may be

necessary in many cases. Take up to 500 mcg of Vitamin B12 three times per day.

 

Biotin

Biotin is a B vitamin needed to process glucose. It has been shown to work

synergistically with insulin and independently in increasing the activity of

glucokinase. This enzyme is responsible for the first step in glucose

utilization. Glucokinase is present only in the liver, where, in diabetics, its

concentration is very low.

 

Supplementation with large quantities of biotin may significantly enhance

glucokinase activity, thereby improving glucose metabolism in diabetics. When

people with Type 1 diabetes (IDDM) were given 16 mg of biotin per day for just

one week, their fasting glucose levels dropped by 50%. Similar results have been

reported using 9 mg per day for two months in people with Type 2 diabetes

(NIDDM). Biotin may also reduce pain from diabetic nerve damage.

 

Take 16 mg of biotin for a few weeks to see if blood sugar levels will fall.

 

Niacin

High levels-several grams per day-of niacin, a form of vitamin B3, impair

glucose tolerance . So, avoid it if you are diabetic. Smaller amounts (500-750

mg per day for one month followed by 250 mg per day) of niacin may help some

people with Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM).

 

Chromium

As a key constituent of the 'glucose tolerance factor,' chromium is a critical

nutrient in diabetes. Supplementation in the form of chromium chloride (200

micro g daily) or high-chromium-containing brewer's yeast (9 g a day) has been

demonstrated to decrease fasting glucose levels, improve glucose tolerance,

lower insulin levels and decrease total cholesterol and triglyceride levels,

while increasing HDL-cholesterol levels.

 

Double-blind research shows that chromium supplements improve glucose tolerance

in people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, apparently by increasing

sensitivity to insulin. Chromium improves the processing of glucose in people

with pre-diabetic glucose intolerance and in women with diabetes associated with

pregnancy.

 

The typical amount of chromium used in research trials is 200 mcg per day. Some

doctors recommend up to 1,000 mcg per day of Chromium for diabetics.

Niacin administered at relatively low levels (100 mg) along with 200 mcg of

chromium has been shown to be more effective than chromium alone. Exercise

increases tissue chromium concentrations.

 

Manganese

Manganese is an important cofactor in the key enzymes of glucose metabolism. A

deficiency of manganese was found to result in diabetes in guinea pigs. It also

resulted in the frequent birth of offspring who develop pancreatic abnormalities

or no pancreas at all. Diabetics have been shown to have only one-half the

manganese of normal individuals.

 

Magnesium

Magnesium levels are significantly lowered in diabetics, and lowest in those

with severe retinopathy. Studies suggest that a deficiency in magnesium may

worsen the blood sugar control in Type 2 diabetes. Scientists believe that a

deficiency of magnesium interrupts insulin secretion in the pancreas and

increases insulin resistance in the body's tissues. Studies suggest that a

deficiency in magnesium may worsen the blood sugar control in Type 2 diabetes.

Scientists believe that a deficiency of magnesium interrupts insulin secretion

in the pancreas and increases insulin resistance in the body's tissues.

 

Supplementation with magnesium leads to improved insulin production in elderly

people with Type 2 diabetes. Elders without diabetes may also produce more

insulin as a result of magnesium supplements. Insulin requirements are lower in

people with Type 1 diabetes who supplement with magnesium.

 

Diabetes-induced damage to the eyes is more likely to occur to

magnesium-deficient people with Type 1 diabetes (IDDM). In pregnant women with

IDDM who are magnesium deficient, the lack of magnesium may even account for the

high rate of spontaneous abortion and birth defects associated with IDDM. Low

magnesium levels appears to be a significant risk factor in the development of

cardiovascular disease, particularly coronary artery spasm.

 

Many doctors of natural medicine recommend that diabetics with normal kidney

function supplement with 300-400 mg of magnesium per day.

 

Vanadium

Vanadium is a compound found in tiny amounts in plants and animals. Early

studies showed that vanadium normalized blood glucose levels in animals with

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. A recent study found that when people with diabetes

were given vanadium, they developed a modest increase in insulin sensitivity and

were able to decrease their insulin requirements.

 

Potassium

Potassium supplementation yields improved insulin sensitivity, responsiveness

and secretion in diabetics. Insulin administration often causes a potassium

deficiency.

 

Zinc

Zinc deficiency has been suggested to play a role in the development of diabetes

in humans. Zinc is involved in virtually all aspects of insulin metabolism

-synthesis, secretion and utilization. Zinc also has a protective effect against

beta cell destruction, and has well-known anti-viral effects.

 

People with Type 1 diabetes (IDDM) tend to be zinc deficient, which may impair

immune function. Zinc supplements have lowered blood sugar levels in people with

IDDM. People with Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM) also have low zinc levels, caused by

excess loss of zinc in their urine.

 

People with NIDDM are recommended to supplement their diet with moderate amounts

of zinc (15-50 mg per day) as a way to correct for the deficit.

Note: Take zinc with food to prevent stomach upset. If you take over 30

milligrams of zinc on a daily basis for more than one or two months, you should

also take 1 to 2 milligrams of copper each day to maintain a proper mineral

balance.

 

Coenzyme Q10

People with diabetes cannot adequately process carbohydrates. Coenzyme Q10, or

CoQ10, is needed for normal carbohydrate metabolism. Coenzyme Q10 is an

antioxidant that fights free-radical damage and is a blood oxygenator.

 

Animals with diabetes are CoQ10 deficient. In one trial, blood sugar levels fell

substantially in 31% of people with diabetes after they supplemented with 120 mg

of CoQ10 per day.

 

Because the eye is so richly supplied with tiny blood vessels, this is another

nutrient that can help in cases of retinopathy. Take 50 milligrams of coenzyme

Q10 twice daily for up to three months, then reduce the dosage to 30 milligrams

daily.

 

Inositol

Inositol is needed for normal nerve function. Diabetes can cause nerve damage,

or diabetic neuropathy. Some of these abnormalities have been reversed by

inositol supplementation (500 mg taken twice per day).

 

ALA and GLA

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a powerful natural antioxidant. It has been used to

improve diabetic neuropathies (at an intake of 600 mg per day) and has reduced

pain in several studies.

 

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), found in black currant seed oil, borage oil, and

evening primrose oil, has been shown to be helpful for improving damaged nerve

function, which is common in diabetes.

 

Supplementing with 4 grams of evening primrose oil per day for six months has

been found to reverse the cause of diabetic nerve damage and improve this

painful condition. In double-blind research, 6 grams per day helps reduce nerve

damage in people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes (IDDM and NIDDM).

Take 500 to 1,000 milligrams of any of these oils twice daily.

 

Carnitine

Carnitine is a substance needed for the body to properly use fat for energy.

When diabetics are given carnitine (1 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight), high

blood levels of fats-both cholesterol and triglycerides-dropped 25-39% in just

ten days. In addition, carnitine improves the breakdown of fatty acids, possibly

playing a role in preventing diabetic ketoacidosis.

 

Taurine

Taurine is an amino acid found in protein-rich food. People with Type 1 diabetes

(IDDM) have low taurine levels, that leads to " thickened " blood-a condition

which increases the risk of heart disease. Supplementing taurine (1.5 grams per

day) restores taurine levels to normal and corrects the problem of blood

viscosity within three months.

 

http://holisticonline.com/Remedies/Diabetes/diabetes_vitamins-and-supplements.ht\

m

_________________

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The complete " Whole Body " Health line consists of the " AIM GARDEN TRIO "

Ask About Health Professional Support Series: AIM Barleygreen

 

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/AIM.html

 

PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

We have made every effort to ensure that the information included in these pages

is accurate. However, we make no guarantees nor can we assume any responsibility

for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product, or

process discussed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time.