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Diabetes is characterized by higher than normal blood sugar or
blood glucose levels in the body. While a certain amount of glucose
is necessary for proper cell nutrition, abnormally high glucose
levels can be harmful to your health and can lead to serious
complications.
Glucose needed for proper cell metabolism is
found in the food we eat and is also produced by the liver and
muscles. However, without the aid of insulin produced by the
pancreas, glucose is not able to enter the cells. Consequently, if
insulin levels are too low or the insulin doesn't work properly,
glucose is not able to enter the cells, remains in the blood, and
increases blood levels of glucose that lead to diabetes.
Thre
are three primary types of diabetes.
Type 1
diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes or
insulin-dependent diabetes, is commonly diagnosed in adolescents,
teenagers, or young adults. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is
unable to make insulin because the body's immune system has attacked
and destroyed the pancreas cell responsible for insulin production.
Traditional treatments for type 1 diabetes includes taking insulin
shots or using an insulin pump, making dietary changes, exercise,
taking aspirin daily, and strictly controlling blood pressure and
cholesterol.
Type 2 diabetes, formerly known
as adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, is by far
the most common form of diabetes in the world. People can develop
type 2 diabetes at any time during their life -- even during early
childhood. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas is unable to produce
enough insulin and the fat, muscle, or liver cells do not use it
properly. Obesity can drastically increase the probability of
developing type 2 diabetes. Traditional treatments for type 2
diabetes include using doctor prescribed diabetes medications,
dietary changes, regular exercise, taking aspirin daily, and
controlling blood pressure and
cholesterol.
Gestational
Diabetes
While not as common as type 1 or type 2,
gestational diabetes can develop during the late stages of
pregnancy. Although this form of diabetes usually goes away after
the baby is born, a woman who has had gestational diabetes is more
likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational
diabetes is caused by the increased hormone levels during pregnancy
or from a shortage of insulin in the body during
pregnancy.
People with diabetes have a high risk of
contracting a number of ancillary health conditions including heart
disease and atherosclerosis. In addition, those with diabetes have a
higher mortality rate if they also have high homocysteine
levels.
Vitamin supplements that may help
diabetics
- Alpha
lipoic acid (improve insulin sensitivity and symptoms of
diabetic neuropathy)
- Brewer’s yeast (providing approximately 60 mcg of chromium per
tablespoon)
- Chromium
(improve glucose tolerance in type 1 and 2 diabetes
- Evening
primrose oil (improve nerve function and relieve pain of
diabetic neuropathy)
- Fiber (may control
blood sugar levels as well as oral diabetes drugs)
- Glucomannan
(absorption of dietary sugar)
- Magnesium (for
magnesium deficiency)
Other vitamin supplements
with possible effects.
- Multivitamin
and Mineral Supplements (reduce the risk of infection if used
regularly)
- Vitamin E (may
improve glucose tolerance)
- Vitamin B6
(improve symptoms of diabetic neuropathy)
- Vitamin B12
(reduces nerve damage caused by diabetes)
- Vitamin B1
(may help reduce blood sugar levels)
- Biotin (needed to
process glucose)
- Coenzyme Q10
(protect against effects of diabetes-induced depletion)
- L-carnitine
(reduces cholesterol and triglycerides)
- Niacinamide
(useful in the very early stages of type 1 diabetes)
- Zinc (lower blood
sugar in type 1 diabetes)
- Vitamin D
(needed to maintain adequate blood levels of insulin)
- Inositol
(needed for normal nerve function)
- Taurine (restore
blood taurine to normal levels in type 1 diabetes)
- Fish oil
(improves glucose tolerance, high triglycerides, and cholesterol
levels)
- Manganese (for
manganese deficiency)
Herbal supplements
that may help diabetics
- Cayenne (topical
application can relieve symptoms of diabetic neuropathy)
- Psyllium
(improve control of blood glucose and cholesterol)
- Fenugreek
Other
herbs with possible effects.
- Asian/Korean
ginseng (improve blood sugar control and energy type 2
diabetes)
- Gymnema
(stimulate production of insulin in people with type 2
diabetes)
- Aloe vera
(reduce the amount of drug glibenclamide required to manage blood
sugar)
- Bitter
melon (improve blood-sugar control in people with type 2
diabetes)
- Bilberry (lower
risk of some diabetic complications - cataracts and
retinopathy)
- Reishi
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