Because diabetic patients have many dietary options that need to be paid attention to, coupled with long-term drug treatment, I believe many people will supplement some additional diabetic nutrients. However, which vitamins and minerals diabetic patients need to supplement more, and diabetic nutritional supplements How to choose food? The following will give you a better understanding of the important nutrients that help diabetic patients.

What are the nutritional supplements for diabetes?

Biotin

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is an indispensable substance for the human body. It can produce a synergistic effect with insulin in the human body and independently increase the activity of glucokinase. Glucokinase mainly acts in the early stage of glucose utilization and is a very important substance.

The concentration of glucokinase may be extremely low in patients with diabetes, and biotin supplementation may have a significant effect on controlling blood sugar levels for both Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes patients. .

Carnitine

Carnitine is an essential substance for the human body that can help the body use body fat to produce energy. It is derived from hydrophilic amino acids and is a natural substance. Research indicates that carnitine may help improve fasting blood sugar and have a blood lipid-lowering effect.

Carnitine supplementation for diabetic patients may help quickly reduce high blood lipids (including cholesterol and triglycerides) in the blood. Because carnitine can help break down fatty acids in fat, it is also considered to be helpful in preventing diabetic ketoacidosis.

Chromium

Chromium is an important nutrient in the fight against diabetes and can help promote the body’s glucose tolerance (increase the ability to regulate blood sugar concentration). Not only may it lower fasting blood sugar levels, it may also lower cholesterol and triglycerides in the body, while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL, also known as good cholesterol) levels in the body.

In addition to taking nutritional supplements, exercise can also increase the concentration of chromium in muscle tissue. Studies have found that insulin and chromium can stably control blood sugar when working together. If the human body lacks chromium, blood sugar levels will be difficult to control, which indirectly increases the risk of diabetes. risk.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring compound in the body that helps metabolize carbohydrates. Research indicates that CoQ10 oxygenates the blood, so it may be helpful in some cases of diabetic retinopathy. In addition, some studies have pointed out that coenzyme Q10 may benefit blood sugar control and help beta cells in the pancreas produce insulin.

ALA and GLA

Alpha-linolenic acid (hereinafter referred to as ALA) is a multifunctional antioxidant that can help prevent diabetic neuropathy and reduce free radicals in the body. Some studies indicate that ALA can help improve insulin resistance, thereby controlling blood sugar. GLA (Gamma- Linolenic Acid), known as gamma-linolenic acid, is another natural antioxidant found in evening primrose oil and blackcurrant seed oil. It also helps improve diabetic neuropathy.

Manganese

Diabetic patients are generally deficient in manganese, and some experts and scholars even believe that manganese is part of the cause of diabetes. Manganese may be a key cofactor for enzymes in the body to process glucose metabolism. It can affect the enzyme activity of pancreatic islet cells, thereby affecting the synthesis of insulin and glucose utilization.

Magnesium

People with diabetes often have low levels of magnesium, and those with severe diabetic retinopathy may have even lower levels. Hypomagnesemia interrupts insulin secretion and increases insulin resistance, affecting blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. If diabetic patients take appropriate magnesium supplements, it may help reduce insulin usage.

Potassium

Diabetic patients can improve their sensitivity to insulin by supplementing potassium through their diet. Studies have found that potassium deficiency in the body is associated with reduced sensitivity of beta cells in the pancreas to glucose and reduced insulin release. In one study, after subjects with impaired glucose tolerance were asked to supplement potassium, the original defect of high blood sugar in stimulating insulin release was improved. It can be speculated that potassium deficiency may be the cause of hyperglycemia.

Taurine

Taurine is not required for protein synthesis, but it is commonly found in protein-rich foods. People with type 1 diabetes usually have low levels of taurine in their bodies, which can affect blood levels and increase the risk of heart disease. Moderate supplementation of taurine may help improve blood viscosity.

Vitamin B6

Diabetic neuropathy is severe damage to the nervous system caused by high blood sugar, which may be related to a lack of vitamin B6. Appropriate supplementation of vitamin B6 may be able to improve glucose tolerance, especially for patients with gestational diabetes or those whose glucose tolerance is affected by birth control pills. . In addition, vitamin B6 may also help prevent diabetes-related complications.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. Because vitamin B12 is one of the necessary vitamins to maintain the normal function of nerve cells, supplementing with vitamin B12 may help reduce damage caused by neurological diabetes.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a very common nutritional supplement. People with type 1 diabetes usually have low levels of vitamin C in their bodies. By increasing vitamin C in the blood, sorbitol (Sorbitol) can be reduced. Sorbitol is a harmful sugar when it accumulates in the body and may lead to an increased risk of diabetic complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and kidney disease.

In addition, some studies have pointed out that vitamin C can help lower blood sugar. NPS MedicineWise, an Australian non-profit independent medical institution, pointed out that in a study using 27 subjects, after 4 months of supplementing with vitamin C, the postprandial blood sugar performance of these subjects was significantly lower than that of those who did not take vitamin C. Group. In addition to postprandial blood sugar, average blood sugar and blood pressure were also lower than those without vitamin C supplementation.

Zinc

A lack of zinc in the body increases the risk of developing diabetes, and people with type 1 diabetes are often deficient in zinc. Zinc may be a key element in insulin metabolism, helping the body protect against the threat of viral infections, and may also protect the pancreatic beta cells from destruction. In some studies of people with type 1 diabetes, adequate zinc has been found to help lower blood sugar. (Extended reading: Diabetes blood sugar control depends on diet! 5 steps to control sugar and stay away from diabetes)

Diabetes health food

There are currently no health foods that can directly help improve diabetes. Although many studies have pointed out that health foods can help manage diabetes, there is no clear evidence that they can help improve the condition. Therefore, it is recommended that diabetic patients should only consider taking health foods when they have clinical needs such as malnutrition. In some cases, supplements may even have side effects or adverse reactions to medications.

Please consult your physician or pharmacist before taking

These nutrients or blood sugar-lowering health foods that help stabilize diabetes are available in many forms, including tablets, capsules, powders or liquids. In addition to types, there are also many types. For all the vitamins and minerals introduced above, as well as amino acids, fatty acids, fiber, digestive enzymes, etc., you also need to pay attention to the dosage.

It is best to consult a professional physician and pharmacist before purchasing and taking it, and pay attention to the dosage and method of use on the package to avoid side effects or interactions with the medications you are currently taking.

Also note:

1. Read reliable nutritional supplement information.
   
2. Watch out for nutritional supplements that work too well, such as products that claim to “treat or cure a disease.”
   
3. Avoid substituting nutritional supplements for prescription medications.
   
4. Avoid taking more than recommended.
   
5. If side effects occur, please stop taking it immediately.
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