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12% OffDixie Medium Paper Plates, 8.5 Inch, 90 Count, 2X Stronger*, Microwave-Safe, Soak-Proof, Cut Resistant, Disposable Plates For Everyday Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner Meals
$5.99 ($0.07 / Count) (as of November 2, 2024 04:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Vitamins are substances vital for the normal functioning of the body. Everyone needs these elements, but with diabetes, the need for them increases dramatically. Therefore, doctors can recommend the patient to take special vitamin and mineral complexes. Moreover, the choice of vitamins has its own specifics.
This article particularly discusses the need for vitamins for Diabetic patients.
Why does diabetes increase the need for vitamins and minerals?
Vitamins for type I and type II diabetics are similar. However, in this article, we will focus on the vitamins necessary for type 2 diabetes. One of the main reasons for taking vitamins, in this case, is a decrease in the sensitivity of cells to insulin. That is if insulin is not produced in the first type of diabetes, then in the second type it is enough, but the cells do not fully perceive it.
To combat this problem, a whole range of measures is used, including physical exercise, diet and vitamin therapy, taking medications, and other methods that are prescribed by a doctor. With all the necessary measures, enough vitamins and minerals, you can achieve a condition that is equivalent to a cure for type II diabetes.
Also, the need to take vitamins is due to a number of other reasons:
- One of the prerequisites for maintaining normal sugar levels in diabetes mellitus is diet. However, such a diet often turns out to be unbalanced and does not contain the required amount of nutrients.
- Certain medications, such as metformin, reduce vitamin B12 levels. Its deficiency can lead to problems with the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, and even vision.
- If the functioning of the pancreas is disrupted, the production of not only insulin but also vitamin D is impaired. With a lack of this vitamin, bones, muscles, and kidneys suffer.
- With the development of pathology, there is a violation of the assimilation of necessary elements in the gastrointestinal tract, caused both by the disease itself and by taking drugs that control sugar.
- Due to the increased glucose level, patients have an increased urge to urinate, and many useful substances are washed out with the urine.
- Lack of vitamins leads to a deterioration in the general condition and various serious consequences.
What vitamins are especially important for maintaining the health of a patient with diabetes?
Each of these elements is essential for the body:
- Alpha-lipoic acid and gamma lipoic acid: Both of these substances help people with diabetes cope with diabetic neuropathy, i.e. protect nerve endings from damage.
- Biotin: It works in conjunction with insulin in the body. Biotin is known to increase the activity of a specific enzyme the glucokinase. The first step in glucose utilization is not possible without the active contribution of Glucokinase. Glucokinase is found only in the liver, and in diabetic patients, its concentration can be extremely low. Biotin supplementation can have a significant impact on glucose levels for diabetics.
- Carnitine: Essential for the body to use fat properly for energy production. Diabetic people who receive carnitine take it well, and blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels may decrease. Carnitine is believed to be helpful due to two reasons. One is to deal with the fatty acids in the body. The second is to handle the acyl residues. For these reasons, it is able to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Coenzyme Q10: A compound that occurs naturally in the body and is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates. Clinical trials using coenzyme Q10 show that supplements can significantly lower blood sugar levels. Coenzyme Q10 also oxygenates the blood and may help in some cases of diabetic retinopathy.
- Inositol: It is an important part of several key body processes, including the health of cell membranes and blood cholesterol levels. In addition, inositol can help to reverse the effects of diabetic neuropathy.
- Manganese. Manganese deficiency is common in diabetics. Some scientists believe that it is indeed the cause of diabetes. Manganese may be a key factor in how enzymes in the body regulate glucose metabolism.
- Potassium. The introduction of insulin into the body and the treatment regimen used by many diabetics can cause potassium deficiency. By adjusting their diet, people with diabetes can improve their insulin sensitivity (refers to type II diabetes) and its effectiveness
- Vanadium. Vanadium supplements can lead to a slight increase in insulin sensitivity and therefore may allow diabetic patients to reduce the amount of insulin they need to control their blood sugar. Studies in animals and humans have proven a link between vanadium levels and normal blood glucose levels.
- Vitamin B6. Neuropathy – Serious damage to the nervous system due to high blood sugar levels, may be associated with a deficiency in vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine. Vitamin A can improve glucose sensitivity, especially in those with gestational diabetes (diabetes that occurs during pregnancy). Vitamin B6 also plays an important role in preventing diabetes-related complications.
- Vitamin B12. May play an important role in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. The presence of vitamin B 12 is essential for the proper functioning of nerve cells. In extreme cases, it is necessary to take a course of B12 injections to replenish the deficit and protect the nerves.
- Vitamin C. In type II diabetes, vitamin C may play a role in improving glucose tolerance.
- Vitamin D. A vital vitamin. It has a complex metabolic chain, in which the sun plays an important role. Able to increase insulin sensitivity.
- Vitamin E. It is able to improve blood oxygen saturation, fight toxins, and increase insulin activity in the body. When there is not enough vitamin E in the body, cells in the body can be damaged by increased exposure to free radicals. Adequate amounts reduce the risk of developing type II diabetes and reduce the risk of developing diabetic complications.
- Chromium. Takes part in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, increases the sensitivity of cells to insulin.
- Zinc. Essential for insulin synthesis. And, in addition, the substance is a fairly strong antioxidant.
- Magnesium. Increases insulin sensitivity, protects the cardiovascular system, regulates blood pressure.
Things to Consider while taking vitamins for Diabetes
insulin sensitivity
Increasing insulin sensitivity can only help people with type 2 diabetes. But this does not mean at all that with type 1 diabetes you do not need to get a full complex of vitamins.
Instructions for use
Vitamins should be used in accordance with the instructions for use. If there are no special indications, you need to take the drug once a day after meals, 1 capsule, or dragee. It is advisable to do this in the morning.
Hypervitaminosis
Uncontrolled intake can cause hypervitaminosis and a number of side effects (nausea, vomiting, lethargy). If such symptoms appear, you should immediately stop taking the drug and seek medical help.
Duration of vitamin therapy
The duration of vitamin therapy for patients with diabetes mellitus is 1 month. You can take 2 treatment courses per year.
Vitamin complexes for diabetics
There is no shortage of such products in pharmacies today. But not all of them are suitable for diabetics. For example, the preparation may contain glucose and sugar. Patients who also have cardiovascular disease should not take medications that contain guarana, ginseng, or other blood pressure-increasing components. In general, various factors are taken into account when choosing a drug, including age, gender, and the presence of other diseases.
Myths and truths About Diabetes
Excessive sugar consumption is not a direct cause of diabetes mellitus and cannot be contracted, honey and sweeteners can be dangerous when consumed in unlimited quantities, and insulin is not addictive.
Sugar, Overweight, and Insulin Myths
- One of the main myths about diabetes is that it is caused by excessive sugar consumption. The consumption of sugar in large quantities is certainly harmful to health and can contribute to obesity, which, in turn, is one of the risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. However, this is not its direct cause.
- “There is also a myth that diabetes only affects overweight people. Most cases of type 2 diabetes are diagnosed in people who are overweight and obese. But it can occur with normal body weight.
- It is also believed that diabetic patients cannot eat foods containing carbohydrates. “In fact, people with diabetes should adhere to the principles of a healthy diet, when carbohydrates account for 50-55% of the daily calorie intake. , jam, sugary drinks, and juices.
- People who try to limit themselves in the use of sweets are on a diet, should not assume that honey and sugar substitutes can be eaten in unlimited quantities. Honey increases blood glucose levels in much the same way as dietary sugar.
- Sugar substitutes in very large quantities are also not always harmless, so they need to be consumed in reasonable, standard quantities. Sugar substitutes do not have any therapeutic effect on the body, are not part of diabetes treatment programs and are not required components of the diet
- The fact that insulin is harmful and addictive is also another myth about the disease, and for this reason, many patients with diabetes are afraid of insulin administration.
- In type 1 diabetes mellitus, insulin must be injected several times a day, because it is very important for maintaining life and health. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, in the early stages of the disease, the pancreas still copes with the production of insulin. Therefore, during this period of time special drugs are prescribed to lower sugar, usually in tablets, but there are also in the form of injections. As the disease progresses, it becomes more difficult for the body to produce insulin, the previous drugs no longer give the desired effect. That’s when you need to start taking insulin
Myths about infection, amputation, and sports
Pregnancy with Diabetes
When planning a pregnancy, the diabetic should do quality preparation for it. With well-controlled diabetes during the entire period of gestation, a woman is able to give birth to a healthy baby without harm to her and her health.
The danger is posed by cases of unplanned pregnancy against the background of high blood glucose levels in the first three weeks of pregnancy when the organs of the unborn child are being formed. That is why it is very important for a woman with diabetes to use reliable methods of contraception and to approach the issue of pregnancy planning with all responsibility
People with 40 years of age
The danger of diabetes, according to the endocrinologist, is the fact that at first, the disease does not manifest itself in any way and the patient does not feel bad right away. So, at risk are people over 40 years old, overweight or obese, as well as those whose parents, brothers, and sisters, suffer from this disease – such patients need to measure fasting blood sugar once a year.
Lose their sight and undergo amputation of limbs
Diabetic patients sooner or later lose their sight and undergo amputation of limbs. He explained that these are late, severe complications, the risk of which is significantly reduced in nonsmokers who maintain targets for blood sugar, lipids, and blood pressure. In addition, modern drugs and new approaches to diabetes therapy are helping to reduce the incidence of diabetes-related complications.
Diabetes patients should be encouraged to take part in sports
Diabetes patients should be encouraged to take part in sportspeople with this disease need regular physical activity to improve their well-being. Of course, when choosing a physical activity, one should take into account the presence of contraindications. There are no absolute contraindications to exercise in diabetics. However, it is better to consult before starting exercise. with a doctor. It is very important to avoid hypoglycemia.
Final Words
Today it is impossible to completely cure diabetes mellitus, but it can be controlled in order to live a full life.
“If you learn about the risk of the disease in a timely manner, you can try to prevent it. In many cases, lifestyle changes could stop or slow down the development of type 2 diabetes.