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Diabetes is one of the most prevalent medical conditions in the United States. According to the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet and the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 25.8 million Americans (8.3 percent of the entire U.S. population) are living with diabetes. Of that total, seven million haven't yet been diagnosed. Seventy-nine million Americans are also classified as prediabetic.
With so many Americans of all ages living with this condition, the health industry is responding with great supplements formulated just for diabetics to manage diabetes and overall wellness.
Diabetes 101
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), diabetes is defined as a chronic disease where high levels of sugar are present in the blood. Someone who has been diagnosed with diabetes cannot properly transfer sugar to the fat, liver and muscle cells to be used as energy later on, either because their pancreas produces insufficient insulin (type 1 diabetes), their body's cells are not responding to the insulin (type 2 diabetes) or both. Women can also develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
What to Get
The amount of products available can be overwhelming and it's not always easy to know what to choose. These are some common supplements to look for:
Bitter Melon -- You can take this supplement to help lower blood sugar levels safely. Bitter melon helps block sugar absorption in the intestine and helps your body use it more effectively as energy.
Gymnema Sylvestre -- This herb reduces your body's ability to detect sugar and helps with glucose utilization to control blood sugar levels.
Magnesium -- This mineral can help your body produce more of the insulin it needs to control blood sugar levels.
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) -- This antioxidant helps to prevent glucose from attaching to proteins. It protects the health of the central nervous system (reducing pain) as well as the eyes.
Prickly Pear Cactus -- You can either take this fruit in supplement form or eat/drink it on its own. It may work similarly to insulin to lower blood sugar and is also high in fiber.
Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) -- This fatty acid can help prevent and/or reduce nerve pain. You can find it in evening primrose oil.
Bilberry --The antioxidants contained in this fruit (related to the blueberry) protect the health of your eyes. These antioxidants keep the tiny blood vessels in the eyes from being damaged.
Cinnamon Bark -- Not only does this supplement promote healthy blood lipid and glucose levels, but it's also a digestive aid.
These supplements are still being studied for their effectiveness in helping individuals with diabetes. Always consult your physician before taking any supplements in addition to or in place of your prescribed medications.
What to Avoid
Knowing what to stay away from is just as important as knowing what to buy. Here are some guidelines:
Any product with an incomplete label should be avoided. Make sure you can see everything that's in the supplement as well as the proper dosage.
Stay away from products without the manufacturer's information listed on the package. Know where your supplement is coming from and do your research before taking it.
Asian ginseng has been shown to lower blood glucose levels too drastically.
Stimulants like caffeine can cause unwanted blood sugar spikes and crashes.
Added sugar, found in protein powders or other nutritional products, can also affect blood sugar levels. Try looking for natural sweeteners like stevia.
Getting Started
If you have diabetes and are interested in starting or changing your supplement regimen, here are some tips from the ADA:
Be forthcoming and honest with your doctor about your supplements and why you're taking them and include them on your list of medications.
Ask about possible side effects or potential drug interactions.
Know how the supplement could affect your body (i.e. blood glucose, cholesterol, etc.).
Follow instructions for dosing from your doctor such as using one supplement at a time to start or doing additional blood glucose checks to determine how the supplement is affecting you.
Never stop taking any prescription medication without first consulting your doctor.
Diabetes means a lifelong commitment to your health. Herbal supplements can help you be your healthiest self.
Products you may like:
Natrol Alpha Lipoic Acid Why you may like this product? Taking alpha lipoic acid can
help someone diagnosed with
diabetes manage their blood
sugar levels. ALA can also
protect the central nervous
system, preventing or reducing
pain, which is a common
complication of diabetes.
Now Foods Cinnamon Bark 600 mg Why you may like this product? Cinnamon bark helps your body
better utilize glucose for
energy throughout the body.
This supplement provides 1,200
mg of cinnamon, which also has
antioxidants to protect the
heart.
Solaray Chromium GTF Why you may like this product? GTF chromium is one of the
most highly recommended
supplements for diabetics.
This chromium helps your body
transport glucose to the cells
to be used as energy, much
like insulin does.
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eVitamins is a registered trademark of eVitamins, LLC. Statements made about specific vitamins, supplements, procedures or other items sold on or through this website have not been evaluated by eVitamins or by the United States Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. As always, please consult with a licensed doctor or physician before starting any diet, exercise or supplement program, before taking any vitamin or medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a problem.
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