Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease that occurs when the body can't effectively use insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. As a result, people with this condition have high blood glucose levels -- which, if untreated, may lead to serious health problems such as stroke and kidney disease. Type 2 diabetes is usually treated by combining medicines that control blood sugar levels with dietary measures. Some vitamins may also play a role in the treatment of this condition, although evidence to prove this is lacking, the University of Maryland Medical Center says. Consult your doctor before taking vitamin supplements.
Examples
Taking antioxidants may improve diabetes symptoms and may also reduce the risk of developing diabetes-related complications, the UMMC says. Vitamins C and E are potent antioxidants and may benefit patients with diabetes. The UMMC notes that they may also help improve cholesterol control in Type 2 diabetes sufferers. Vitamin B6 may help regulate blood glucose levels.
Sources
Vitamin E is found in a host of foods, including nuts, wholegrain products, salmon, watercress, corn oil and blackberries. You can find vitamin C in a variety of foods, including citrus fruits, strawberries, frozen peas and broccoli. The U.K. health information website netdoctor notes that meats and yeast extracts are a rich source of vitamin B6. Also known as pyridoxine, vitamin B6 is also found in fish, brown rice and apricots. You can also take these vitamins as a dietary supplement.
Efficacy
Studies examining the role of vitamin B6 in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes are limited. However, the results of a study by J. Shen et al., in the February 2010 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, show that low vitamin B6 levels are associated with higher oxidative stress and metabolic conditions, including diabetes. An analysis of clinical trial data in the February 2011 issue of Current Diabetes Reviews, concluded that there is not any established benefit for the use of antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, in the treatment of diabetes.
Considerations
Although quantities of vitamins found in foods are unlikely to cause harm, pharmacological doses -- such as those found in vitamin supplements -- may cause side effects or may be unsuitable for some people. For example, high doses of vitamin E may interrupt blood coagulation. It may also dull the effect of anticoagulant drugs. Avoid antioxidants during cancer treatment, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Diabetes
- netdoctor: Sources of Vitamins; Dr. Dan Rutherford; April 2007
- American Journal of Clinical Nutriton; Association of Vitamin B-6 Status with Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Chronic Inflammatory Conditions: The Boston Puerto Rican Health Study; J. Shen et al., February 2010
- Current Diabetes Reviews; Antioxidants in the Treatment of Diabetes; S. Gobidi et al., February 2011
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin E
