Vitamins for diabetes are organic substances that optimize blood sugar and prevent damage to cell membranes by free radicals. In addition, nutrients reduce the risk of concomitant diseases (atherosclerosis, cardiac ischemia, sexual dysfunction, renal failure, gastroparesis, neuropathy, retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma), improve the functioning of the immune system, increase visual acuity, strengthen the walls of blood vessels, and normalize the psychoemotional background.
With the passage of intensive vitamin therapy at the stage of prediabetes (on the background of a low-glycemic diet), for 5 – 6 months the indicators of blood sugar will return to normal.
How does diabetes develop?
Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disease accompanied by a persistent increase in blood sugar concentration. This pathology occurs due to insufficient synthesis of the hormone of the pancreas. Interestingly, insulin plays a paramount role in carbohydrate metabolism, since it increases the permeability of cells for glucose to penetrate into it. However, due to persistent hypovitaminosis, lack of water and improper nutrition, the filtering capabilities of the liver are reduced by a factor of three, including the ability to utilize glucose. At the same time, the cells provide “resistance” to insulin, ignoring the brain’s signals about the “inlet” of secret into them.
Against the background of violations of the interaction of membrane receptors and hormones, diabetes of type 2 (insulin-independent) develops. In addition, the metabolic disorders accelerate the process of auto-oxidation of glucose, which leads to the formation of a large number of highly reactive free radicals. Destructive particles “kill” pancreatic cells, as the speed of their synthesis exceeds the reaction of endogenous protection. This process underlies the development of diabetes type 1 (insulin-dependent).
It is interesting that the body of a healthy person maintains a constant balance between the processes of lipid peroxidation and the activity of the endogenous antioxidant system.
What vitamins do diabetics need?
For any impaired glucose resistance, it is important to reduce the amount of free radicals in the blood. For this purpose, endocrinologists prescribe antioxidant substances.
Essential Nutrients for the Diabetic
- Vitamin A (retinol). A powerful antioxidant that slows the destruction of pancreatic tissue, normalizes the immune response, improves vision. If a diabetic lacks vitamin A in the body, the mucous membrane of the eye first of all suffers.
The daily rate in retinol is 0,7 – 0,9 milligrams.
- Vitamin E (tocopherol). The strongest “neutralizer” of free radicals that increases the endogenous defense of the body. In addition, vitamin E is involved in tissue respiration, improves the filtration ability of the kidneys, optimizes lipid metabolism, prevents the development of vascular atherosclerosis, increases blood flow in the retina, and increases the body’s immune status.
For diabetics, for the correction of insulin resistance, it is advisable to take 25 – 30 milligrams of tocopherol per day.
- Vitamin C (L-ascorbate). The main antioxidant factor, immunomodulator and oncoprotector. Nutrient absorbs free radicals, reduces the risk of developing colds, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, increases the body’s resistance to hypoxia, accelerates the production of sex hormones. In addition, ascorbic acid slows down the development of diabetic complications: cataracts, leg injuries, and renal failure.
For patients with diabetes, it is important to use at least 1000 milligrams of L-ascorbate per day.
- Vitamin N (lipoic acid). The main function of the substance is to accelerate the regeneration of nerve fibers, which are damaged by insulin resistance. In addition, the compound stimulates the cellular consumption of glucose, protects the pancreatic tissue from damage, and increases the endogenous defense of the body.
To prevent neuropathy, take 700 – 900 milligrams of lipoic acid per day.
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine). A regulator of intracellular glucose metabolism, which prevents the development of concomitant pathologies (nephropathy, neuropathy, vascular dysfunction, retinopathy).
It is important for diabetics to consume at least 0,002 milligrams of thiamine per day.
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). It controls protein metabolism, accelerates the production of hemoglobin, improves the psycho-emotional background.
For the prevention of nervous disorders prescribed 1,5 milligram of pyridoxine per day.
- Vitamin B7 (Biotin). It has an insulin-like effect on the human body (reducing the need for a hormone). At the same time, vitamin accelerates the regeneration of epithelial tissue, stimulates the production of protective antibodies, and is involved in the conversion of fat into energy (weight loss).
The physiological need for biotin is 0,2 milligrams per day.
- Vitamin B11 (L-Carnitine). It optimizes carbohydrate-fat metabolism, increases the sensitivity of cells to insulin (due to the burning of low density lipoproteins), stimulates the production of the hormone “joy” (serotonin), and slows the development of cataracts (the most common diabetic complication).
Patients with diabetes mellitus should be given at least 1000 milligrams of L-carnitine per day (starting with 300 milligrams, gradually increasing the dose).
- Vitamin B12 (cobalamin). An indispensable “participant” in metabolism (carbohydrate, protein, lipid, nucleotide), a stimulator of muscle and nervous activity. In addition, the vitamin accelerates the regeneration of damaged integuments of the body (including the mucous membrane of the eye lining), stimulates the formation of hemoglobin, and prevents the development of neuropathy (non-inflammatory damage to nerves).
For diabetics, the daily dose of cobalamin is 0,003 milligrams.
Essential Diabetic Minerals
In order to optimize carbohydrate metabolism, in addition to vitamins, it is important to consume micronutrients and macronutrients.
List of mineral compounds:
- Chromium. An indispensable nutrient for 2 type diabetics, as it suppresses cravings for sugary foods and increases the permeability of cell walls for glucose.
The physiological need for an element is 0,04 milligrams per day.
- Zinc. The most important substance for insulin-dependent patients, which is involved in the formation, accumulation and release of hormone in the cells of the pancreas. In addition, zinc increases the barrier functions of the dermis and the activity of the immune system, enhances the absorption of vitamin A.
To stabilize blood sugar levels, consume at least 15 milligrams of zinc per day.
- Selenium. An antioxidant that protects the body against oxidative damage by free radicals. Along with this, selenium improves blood microcirculation, increases resistance to respiratory diseases, stimulates the formation of antibodies and killer cells.
The daily rate for diabetics is 0,07 milligram.
- Manganese. It enhances the hypoglycemic properties of insulin, reduces the intensity of the development of fatty liver degeneration, accelerates the synthesis of neurotransmitters (serotonin), is involved in the formation of thyroid hormones.
With insulin resistance, take 2 – 2,5 milligram of substance per day.
- Magnesium. Reduces tissue resistance to insulin (in combination with B vitamins), normalizes blood pressure, calms the nervous system, reduces premenstrual pain, stabilizes the heart, prevents the development of retinopathy (damage to the retina).
The physiological need for nutrient is 400 milligrams per day.
In addition, the dietary diabetic diet (in particular, the 2 type) include the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (at least 100 milligrams per day).
This substance improves the structure of pancreatic tissue, increases the rate of “burning” of fat, stimulates the division of “good” cells. With a shortage of substances in the body, the metabolic and oxidative disorders worsen.
Considering that the diabetic menu is limited to products with a low glycemic index, it is advisable to use vitamin complexes to meet the increased needs of the body for nutrients.
The best supplements to reduce insulin resistance:
- “Vitamins for Diabetes” (NutriCare International, USA). A rich multicomponent composition for eliminating hypovitaminosis against the background of impaired glucose uptake. The composition of the drug includes 14 vitamins (E, A, C, B1, B2, B3, B4, N, B5, B6, H, B9, B12, D3), 8 minerals (chromium, manganese, zinc, copper, magnesium , vanadium, selenium), 3 herbal extracts (brown algae, calendula, highlander comb).
The drug is taken once a day on the 1 thing after breakfast.
- “Optimum Nutrients for Diabetics” (Enzymatic Therapy, USA). A powerful antioxidant compound that protects pancreatic cells from damage (due to the stabilization of free radicals). In addition, the drug accelerates the regeneration of the skin, optimizes carbohydrate-fat metabolism, reduces the risk of developing cataracts and coronary diseases. The supplement contains vitamins (B6, H, B9, B12, C, E), minerals (manganese, zinc, magnesium, selenium, copper), plant extracts (bitter melon, gimnema, fenugreek, blueberries), bioflavonoids (citrus).
The drug is consumed 1 once a day for 2 pieces after meals (in the morning).
- “Vitamins for people with diabetes” (Woerwag Pharma, Germany). Food supplement aimed at correcting insulin resistance, prevention of vascular and neuropathic complications of the disease. The drug includes 2 trace elements (chromium and zinc), 11 vitamins (A, C, E, PP, B1, B2, B5, B6, H, B9, B12).
The complex is consumed once daily for a 1 tablet.
Remember, it is better to entrust the choice of the vitamin complex to the endocrinologist. Given the condition of the patient, the doctor will select the individual dose and adjust the period of use of the complex.
Vitamins for diabetics are substances that normalize blood glucose levels, enhance the body’s antioxidant defense, prevent the development of concomitant diseases. These compounds increase the patient’s immune status, inhibit the development of vascular atherosclerosis, reduce cravings for sweet foods, and improve carbohydrate-fat metabolism.
The main nutrients for diabetics are vitamins (A, C, E, N, B1, B6, H, B11, B12), minerals (chromium, zinc, selenium, manganese, magnesium), coenzyme Q10. Given that low-glycemic nutrition cannot satisfy the body’s need for them, diabetes mellitus complexes are used to optimize carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, to support the metabolism, they consume antioxidant products: turmeric, Jerusalem artichoke, ginger, cinnamon, cumin, spirulina.