Dietary Supplements for Diabetics, What Works and What Doesn't
Chromium Supplements
According to a report, chromium supplements may help patients with Type 2 diabetes to lower their blood sugar. A trial conducted in China, with 180 Type 2 diabetic participants took place. The participants were placed into 3 different equal sized groups. One group was given a placebo pill (no active drug), one group was given 200mg of chromium, and the other group was given 1000 mg of chromium. After 2 to 4 months of taking the highest quantities of the chromium supplement the diabetics had marked reductions in their average blood glucose levels.
The exact mechanism of how Chromium reduces blood glucose is not known, but it appears to act on cells to reduce insulin resistance. A normal healthy diet should contain enough Chromium, but some diabetics do choose to supplement their diet with chromium. If you do choose to try Chromium supplements, monitor your glucose levels and if no improvement is noticeable, it is probably that you are getting enough Chromium from you diet anyway.
Magnesium
A magnesium deficiency may make blood glucose control harder. Some scientists believe that magnesium is required for correct insulin secretion from the pancreas and that it helps decrease insulin resistance. Both effects are important to type 2 diabetics.
Vanadium
Vanadium occurs naturally in plants and animals. In tests on animals, blood glucose levels were normalised. Similar studies on Type 2 diabetics, found an increase in insulin sensitivity, which allowed a decrease in insulin required. The authors of this study noted however, that vanadium is toxic to the liver, so prolonged use of vanadium supplements may be inadvisable.
The safe dosage level that still produces beneficial effects, has not yet been established.
Fiber
Fiber has many positive effects on the body, which means most people would benefit from an increase Fiber intake. Currently the recommended Fiber intake is 50mg a day.
Fiber can lower blood glucose levels in diabetics. It has also been shown to decrease the body's overall need for insulin.
A diet high in Fiber helps to lower cholesterol levels and protects against heart disease. Diabetics face an increase risk of heart disease, Fiber can help mitigate that risk.
Not a benefit just for diabetics is the decreased risk of gastrointestinal cancers for followers of a high fiber diet. Fiber improves digestion and in some people can reduce appetite leading to weight loss.
Cinnamon
Studies into the effects of cinnamon on Type 2 diabetics has shown that taking between 1 and 6 grams of cinnamon a day can lead to a reduction in average fasting glucose levels (of between 20% and 30%) and a reduction in cholesterol levels of around 10% to 25%. The tests were carried out with 60 adults over a 40 day period. The University of California is continuing research into the effects of cinnamon and to try and discover how it works.
The dual effects mean cinnamon appears to be useful to help control blood glucose levels AND, by reducing cholesterol, may reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.
Recommended Supplier
Diabetic Supplies from DiabetesStore.com
DiabetesStore.Com is a leading online retailer of all types of diabetes-related products at the lowest prices you'll find anywhere.
More Resources
[ www.caringfordiabetes.com ]
[ www.lifescan.com ]
[ www.drgreene.com ]
[ www.diabetes.org
]
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