Vitamins for Diabetics
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a medical disorder characterized by changing or on-going elevated blood sugar levels in one’s body. It is also one of the most prevalent diseases in North America today, with approximately 1 in 10 adults living this disease. There are two types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes also known as: “juvenile diabetes” or “insulin-dependent diabetes” is labelled as such because over 60 percent of diagnoses occur prior to the patients 30th birthday. This is the less abrasive form of diabetes; with only 10 percent of those diagnosed with diabetes have this form.
Type 2 Diabetes:
Type 2 Diabetes also known as “adult onset diabetes” is the form affecting 90 percent of those diagnosed with the disease. This is also the form often linked with a person’s weight, with ninety percent of people with this type being classified as overweight.
Regardless of the type of diabetes someone has it is important to keep on top of vitamins and supplements that help to control blood sugars. These can include, but are not limited to:
Antioxidants:
Ranked among the best types of vitamins for those with diabetes, antioxidants help to fight free radicals, which cause harm to the body and lead to diseases such as: heart disease and cancer.
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins for diabetics, as it has been found to have lower amounts of vitamin C in their systems, this is because of the high blood sure they experience that absorbs the vitamin c in their system. Although additional research is needed to determine the amount of vitamin c a diabetic needs to replace that poorly absorbed by the free radicals, 60 mg is the current recommended amount for adults.
Vitamin E:
When it comes to vitamins necessary for those with diabetes, vitamin e is another extremely important one, because it helps t prevent heart disease, as well as reduce eye and kidney damage.
Chromium:
Similarly to the other vitamins discussed up to this point in the article chromium is definitely one for anyone living with diabetes to be aware of, and make sure that they have in their diet. It has been proven that chromium helps to improve the body’s response to insulin. It has also been proven that throughout America there is an increase in diabetes, and a correlating deficiency in chromium.
No single vitamin has been proven to either cure, or stop the spread of diabetes. What they have been proven to do is help reduce the effects of diabetes, and help to reduce the long term health risks associated with the disease.
Hopefully this article has helped understand the importance of vitamins for diabetics, and the vitamins that can help reduce the complications associated with it. As with all health issues it is important to have regular discussions with your physician regarding your diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle. Keeping up with your vitamins is necessary not only for those with diabetes, but everyone to maintain a healthy, long, and positive life.