Diabetes

Depending on the type of treatment regimen you use to control your diabetes, there are some vitamins and minerals that may be beneficial for your condition.

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.

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.

Biotin
Biotin works in synergy with insulin in the body, and independently increases the activity of the enzyme glucokinase.
Supplements of biotin may have a significant effect on glucose levels for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics.

Carnitine (L-Carnitine, Acetyl L-Carnitine)
Carnitine is required by the body in order to correctly use body fat in the production of energy. 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 body’s fight against diabetes. Chromium 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.

Chromium supplement may raise glucose tolerance in patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is a compound that occurs naturally in the body, and may be able to help with carbohydrate metabolism.
coenzyme Q10 supplements may help 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 may have a role to play in reversing the effects of diabetic neuropathy (nervous damage) caused by diabetes.

Manganese
Magnesium tends to decline in people with diabetes, and may fall to dangerously low levels amongst those suffering from severe diabetic retinopathy.

Magnesium
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.

Niacin
Niacin can be for people with high cholesterol and may be used in combination with circulation treatments.

Taurine
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. Taurine supplements may help to correct levels of blood viscosity in diabetic patients.

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.

Vitamin B6
Pyridoxine supplements may be able to improve glucose tolerance, particularly for sufferers from gestational diabetes, or impaired glucose tolerance. 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.

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. In the case of type 2 diabetics, vitamin c may play a role in improving glucose tolerance.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D may help to boost insulin sensitivity, which is vital for blood glucose regulation.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E can oxygenate the blood, fight toxins and improve the activity of insulin within the body. As an antioxidant, vitamin E may reduce the risk of diabetic complications. Vitamin E may decrease the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, and in type 2 diabetics may improve glucose tolerance.

Zinc
Zinc itself may be a crucial element in insulin metabolism. Type 1 diabetics are often zinc deficient, and supplements have been shown to lower blood sugar levels in some type 1 cases.

Explore our range of ‘Diabetes’ supplements.

References

Vitamins and Minerals www.diabetes.co.uk