A diet rich in nutrients helps you stay healthy. Diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels, and individuals suffering from this condition have special vitamin requirements. According to American Diabetes Association, vitamins A, C and E often are lacking from North American diets and are necessary for a better management of diabetes.
Vitamin C
Eating more fruits and vegetables, especially vitamin C rich foods, decreases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in July 2008 issue of "Archives of Internal Medicine." This study evaluated more than 20,000 men and women over 12 years. The authors found that the higher the vitamin C blood levels; the lower was the risk of developing diabetes. If you already have been diagnosed with diabetes, vitamin C supplementation may help you better control this condition. A daily dose of 3,000-8,000 mg in divided doses is beneficial for diabetics, recommends Dr. James Balch, MD, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing."
Vitamin E
HbA 1c test is a blood test that evaluates the average amount of sugar in your blood and this test shows whether your diabetes is well controlled. HbA 1c may be improved with vitamin E supplementation, particularly in diabetics who have poor control of blood glucose levels and are deficient in this vitamin, suggests a research study published in February 2011 issue of " Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics." Dr. Balch suggests a daily dose of 800 UI vitamin E for adults with diabetes.
Vitamin A
It appears that a combination of vitamin A and the mineral zinc may help diabetics, according to a study published in the March 2010 issue of "International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. . The study involved 48 patients between the age 7 and 20 suffering from type 1 diabetes, and a dose of 12,500 IU vitamin A was given every other day, while 10 mg of zinc were administered every day. These two supplements improved the blood levels of substances called apoproteins that are linked with an increased risk of developing heart complications in diabetics. If you are pregnant and suffer from diabetes, do not use more then 10,000 UI of vitamin A daily, warns Dr. Balch.
Considerations
Keep in mind that all vitamins and minerals are necessary for optimal health. Consult a nutritionist to get recommendations for a balanced diet and optimal dosage of vitamins A, C and E. Exercise at least 30 minutes daily to help better control you blood sugar levels. Keep in mind that vitamin supplements do not replace and should not be used to replace any anti-diabetes medication you are currently taking.
References
- American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Superfoods
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; Plasma Vitamin C Level, Fruit and Vegetable Consumption, and the Risk of New-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; A. Harding et al; July, 2008
- "Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics"; Effects of vitamin E Supplementation on Glycaemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials; N.Sucksamboon et al; February 2011
- "International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition"; Effects of Combination of Zinc and Vitamin A Supplementation on Serum Fasting Blood Sugar, Insulin, Apoprotein B and Apoprotein A-I in Patients with Type I Diabetes; F. Schidfar et al; March 2010
- "Prescription For Nutritional Healing", James Balch,M.D. and Phyllis Balch, C.N.C., 2002
