Choosing A Multivitamin
A good diet can supply most if not all of the vitamins and minerals you need. But maintaining such a diet day in and day out can be a challenge, which is why many people take a daily multivitamin–multimineral supplement as a form of insurance. Taking a daily supplement makes particular sense for people who don’t eat much, such as people who are following a weight-loss diet. While a supplement can’t supply all of what is present in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, such as fiber and phytochemicals (healthy plant chemicals that may help fight cancer and other diseases), it can help to fill in some of the holes. The question then is how to choose a supplement that meets your needs. Which vitamins and minerals should it contain, and how much? What and how much Most people should look for a supplement that contains 100% Daily Value (%DV) of each of the following vitamins and minerals: Vitamin A (preferably in the form of beta-carotene) Folic acid Niacin Vitamin B1 (thiamine) Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) Vitamin B6 Vitamin B12 Vitamin C Vitamin D Vitamin E Copper Zinc Premenopausal women should additionally look for a supplement that contains 100% DV for iron (18 milligrams), but postmenopausal women and men are generally advised to take no more than 8 milligrams of iron daily, and some people may be advised by their physician to take no supplemental iron. People with diabetes may additionally want to look for a supplement that contains 100% DV for chromium and at least 25% DV for magnesium. (Multivitamins never contain 100% DV for magnesium because it won’t fit into a single pill.) To quickly find a multivitamin–multimineral supplement that contains at least 100% DV of at least two-thirds of the nutrients it contains, look for the words “high potency” on the lab Continue reading >>
The Best Multivitamins For Diabetics
Diabetes is a condition in which your body cannot effectively use glucose for energy, and thus excess glucose stays in the blood, leading to high-blood sugar, or hyperglycemia. Diabetics are twice as likely to develop heart disease as those who aren't diabetic. Most type-2 diabetics follow a weight-loss diet, and multivitamin supplementation may be beneficial. If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor about supplementation. Video of the Day Vitamins Associated With Diabetes Diabetics tend to have lower vitamin C levels, possibly because higher blood-glucose levels impair vitamin C uptake, according to the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. A supplementation of 2,000 mg may help improve blood-glucose and lipid levels. Vitamin E may help prevent heart, eye and kidney damage, which is a common complication of diabetes. Chromium has been reported to have a mild glucose-lowering effect and is often recommended for people with type-2 diabetes. Diabetics, especially type-1 diabetics may also be deficient in vitamin D. A supplemental dose may improve use of glucose and bone health. Research at the University of Melbourne in Australia found that lycopene and lutein levels are lower in diabetics, and supplementation could improve improve vision and decrease risks of diabetic eye disease. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation of 1 g daily can protect against heart disease. Choosing the Best Multivitamin A good multivitamin should have 50 percent to 150 percent of the daily value for each vitamin and mineral. It should have at least 15 kinds of vitamins and minerals, including: vitamin A, B-complex -- riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, folic acid, B6 and B12 -- vitamins C, D, E, K, chromium, iron, copper, zinc, calcium, magnesium, selenium. Diabetics should look for multivitamins labeled Continue reading >>
What Is The Best Multivitamin For Diabetics?
In the United States, about one in every 11 people has diabetes. This is a sobering statistic, especially considering that out of these 29.1 million people, a quarter don’t even know they have the disease. If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, or suspect that you may be diabetic, it’s far from the end of the world. Today, there are treatments that will benefit you greatly, lifestyle changes that ensure a normal life, and multivitamins that help restore your energy and vigor. Of these treatments you might ask, “What is the best multivitamin for diabetics?” Well, let’s discuss some of what you should look for in a diabetic multivitamin. Being overweight is the leading cause of type II diabetes in the U.S., and as a person that has struggled with their weight in the past, I know how easy it is to overeat. One of the primary treatments for managing diabetes is to strictly monitor your diet and calorie intake. Eating less is imperative for managing this condition, but that doesn’t mean that we can have to cut important diabetes-fighting vitamins from our lifestyles as well. The primary power of multivitamins for the treatment of diabetes is the fact that often times they can help supplement us from a dietary perspective when we are forced to eat less. Vitamins are needed to boost the effectiveness of your body’s enzymes by acting as coenzymes. Each vitamin provides a different boost to the way your body deals with weight loss, fatigue, or infection. B vitamins like folic acid reduce homocysteine levels and may reduce cardiovascular risk (source), so a supplement that has these types of vitamins are generally very helpful for managing the progressive nature of the disease. Vitamin C on the other hand, reduces the amounts of the damaging sugar that forms in t Continue reading >>
The Organic Diabetic
Posted by Chris - The Organic Diabetic 5 Comments Ever wonder why when we are severely dehydrated as diabetics or when we are dealing with an extreme high blood sugar our medical team tells us to make sure we replenish our electrolytes ? I mean, what is an electrolyte anyway, what are the symptoms of low electrolytes and how can they help us as diabetics or if your just out mowing the lawn? Diabetic or not, they are extremely important when it comes to our overall health so lets take a closer look! When dissolved in fluid, salts tend to break apart into their component ions, creating an electrically-conductive solution. For example, table salt (NaCl) dissolved in water dissociates into its component positive ion of sodium (Na+) and negative ion of chloride (Cl-). Any fluid that conducts electricity, such as this new saltwater solution, is known as an electrolyte solution: the salt ions of which its composed are then commonly referred to as electrolytes. So that leads us to the next question There are several common electrolytes found in the body, each serving a specific and important role, but most are in some part responsible for maintaining the balance of fluids between the intracellular (inside the cell) and extracellular (outside the cell) environments. This balance is critically important for things like hydration, nerve impulses, muscle function, and pH levels. With the correct body water balance, the electrolytes separate into positive and negative ions. When the body loses water or becomes dehydrated an electrolyte imbalance starts to occur. During heavy exercise, sodium and potassium electrolytes in particular are lost through sweating. To ensure constant electrolyte concentrations in the body, fluids must be regularly consumed. To avoid an electrolyte imbalan Continue reading >>
Herbs And Supplements For Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes, but is becoming more common in children. This form of diabetes is caused when your body either resists insulin or doesn’t produce enough. It causes your blood glucose levels to be unbalanced. There is no cure. However, many people are able to manage their blood glucose levels with diet and exercise. If not, a doctor can prescribe medications that can manage blood sugar levels. Some of these medications are: insulin therapy metformin (Glucophage, Glumetza, others) sulfonylureas meglitinides A healthy diet, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight are the first, and sometimes, most important part of diabetes treatment. However, when those are not enough to maintain your blood sugar levels, your doctor can decide which medications will work best for you. Along with these treatments, people with diabetes have tried numerous herbs and supplements to improve their diabetes. These alternative treatments are supposed to help control blood sugar levels, reduce resistance to insulin, and prevent diabetes-related complications. Some supplements have shown promise in animal studies. However, there is currently only limited evidence that they have the above mentioned benefits in humans. It is always best to let the foods you eat provide your vitamins and minerals. However, more and more people are turning to alternative medicines and supplements. In fact, according to the American Diabetes Association, diabetics are more likely to use supplements than those without the disease. Supplements should not be used to replace standard diabetes treatment. Doing so can put your health at risk. It is important to talk to your doctor before using any supplements. Some of these products can interfere with other Continue reading >>
Is It Safe To Take Supplements If You Have Diabetes?
You will find supplements for anything and everything these days. Even when you do not suffer from an ailment, supplements are suggested to keep you healthy and ailment-free. According to CDC, use of supplements is common among US adult population – over 50% adults used supplements during 2003-2006, with multivitamins/multiminerals being the most commonly used. So when you are a diabetic, especially if you have prediabetes and type-2 diabetes, you may find yourself confronting a large number of options for supplements that claim to support, reduce and even cure your diabetes. Diabetes is quite a frustrating disorder and you may find yourself tempted to try out these supplements one after another. But is it really safe to take supplements when you are a diabetic? Let us find out. But before that you need to understand what exactly supplements are. Defining Supplements As the name suggests, a supplement is anything that adds on to something. A dietary supplement is therefore something that one takes in addition to one’s diet to get proper nutrition. US Congress in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act defines dietary supplements as having the following characteristics: It is a product that is intended to supplement the diet; It contains one or more dietary ingredients (including vitamins, minerals, herbs and other botanicals, amino acids, and other substances) or their constituents; It is intended to be taken by mouth as a pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid; It is not represented for use as a conventional food or as sole item of a mean or a diet; and, It is labeled on the front panel as being a dietary supplement. Now let us look at some general benefits and risks of taking supplements. We will discuss these in context of diabetes later in the article. Benefit Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Dietary Supplements: In Depth
What’s the Bottom Line? How much do we know about dietary supplements for diabetes? Many studies have investigated dietary supplements, including vitamins, for preventing or treating type 2 diabetes (the focus of this fact sheet). What do we know about the effectiveness of dietary supplements for diabetes? Most of the supplements studied aren’t effective and some may worsen symptoms of diabetes. For example, using omega-3 supplements, such as fish oil, or cinnamon doesn’t appear to help with diabetes. A number of small studies have looked at whether magnesium or chromium supplements help with diabetes, but the results aren’t definitive. What do we know about the safety of dietary supplements for diabetes? Some dietary supplements have side effects, including interacting with diabetes treatments or increasing the risk of kidney problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to buy illegally marketed, potentially dangerous products claiming to prevent, treat, or cure diabetes. It’s very important not to replace proven conventional medical treatment for diabetes with an unproven health product or practice. About Diabetes Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. It can lead to serious health problems if it’s not managed well. Between 12 and 14 percent of U.S. adults have diabetes, but more than 25 percent of people with it are undiagnosed. Taking insulin or other diabetes medicine is often key to treating diabetes, along with making healthy food choices and being physically active. Your health care providers can show you how to control your diabetes and track your success. More About Diabetes Kidney disease has been linked to using some dietary supplements. This is of particu Continue reading >>
6 Of The Best Dietary Supplements For A Diabetic Diet—and 3 You Should Avoid
Should I take supplements? From cinnamon and magnesium to herbal formulas claiming to smack down high blood sugar, “diabetes-friendly” supplements are popping up in health food stores and drugstores and in the medicine cabinets of more and more people with diabetes. More than 50 percent of people with diabetes say they’ve used dietary supplements, according to one 2011 study—and at least one in four has given herbal remedies a try. The big question: Should you? “People with diabetes may be looking for something that seems less potent than a medication or something that will treat other health issues beyond blood sugar control, such as high cholesterol,” notes Laura Shane-McWhorter, PharmD, a University of Utah professor of pharmacotherapy and author of The American Diabetes Association Guide to Herbs & Nutritional Supplements: What You Need to Know from Aloe to Zinc. But experts are reluctant to recommend supplements to people with diabetes for two important health reasons. First, there’s virtually no research on long-term safety. Second, no supplement controls blood sugar as effectively as diabetes drugs (in combination with a healthy lifestyle). “There are no miracle treatments for diabetes,” Shane-McWhorter says. “The most important thing to know if you have diabetes is that no supplement will take care of it for you. Diabetes is a condition that can be well-controlled with a healthy lifestyle plus medication if needed. A supplement can’t replace those.” And new science is changing the supplement landscape. In consulting the latest research as well as supplement experts for this report on the best-studied and most widely used supplements, we found that some popular pills—chromium, we’re talking about you—aren’t living up to their reput Continue reading >>
Treating Diabetes Holistically
Diabetes Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the body is no longer able to regulate blood sugar levels. Blood sugar is regulated mainly through insulin produced by the pancreas. There are several types of Diabetes, which can be either Insulin Dependent (IDDM) or Non-Insulin Dependent (NIDDM): Type I diabetes is always insulin dependent (IDDM). This type of diabetes is characterized by decreased insulin production in the pancreas. The beta cells which produce insulin are destroyed and normal insulin production is lost. This type is most common in dogs. Type II diabetes can be either IDDM or NIDDM and is a result of decreased responsiveness of the body's cells to insulin, or improperly functioning pancreatic cells that produce insufficient levels of insulin. Type II diabetes is most common in cats. I have seen many cats become non-diabetic with a proper diet and treatment plan. In cats, one can see Transient Diabetes Mellitus, in which insulin requirement comes and goes. Approximately 20 percent of diabetic cats may experience periods where they no longer require insulin injections. Sometimes called a “honeymoon,” these periods can last for days or months. Risk factors for diabetes include obesity, an unhealthy diet, steroid treatments and, in unspayed female dogs, diestrus, the period of sexual inactivity after the female is receptive. The actual cause of diabetes in each animal may not be known. For some animals it is genetic. Diabetes is sometimes linked to an infectious viral disease or autoimmune disease. "Risk factors for diabetes include obesity, an unhealthy diet, steroid treatments and, in unspayed female dogs, diestrus, the period of sexual inactivity after the female is receptive." Treatment It is always best to work with your own veterinarian along wit Continue reading >>
Completia Diabetic Multivitamin Iron Free - 90 Tablets
Completia Diabetic Multivitamin Iron Free - 90 Tablets "Even though I am not diabetic Completia Diabetic Multivitamin was recommended by..." Read all reviews * Price Per Unit may reflect product's price per capsule, tablet, ounce, fluid ounce, etc. This item will ship on Monday before 5PM EST. Even though I am not diabetic Completia Diabetic Multivitamin was recommended by my doctor because other multis were hurting my stomach. Twice Daily Multivitamin & Mineral Formulated for DIABETICS Daily Support Nutrients-Cinnamon Neem Chromium & Fenugreek for healthy blood balance. Plus Taurine L-Carnitine & Vanadium which are often low in diabetics. Antioxidants-Vitamins A C & E plus Selenium Alpha Lipoic Acid Lutein & other flavonoids to maintain cell and tissue strength. MEGA Potency B-vitamins-to protect nerves and maintain nerve sheath. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not meant to diagnose treat or cure any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before starting any exercise or nutritional supplement program or before using these or any product during pregnancy or if you have a serious medical condition. Serving Size: 2 Tablets Amount/Serving %DV (33% [5000 IU] as retinol palmitate and 67% [10000 IU] as beta carotene) providing (typical analysis): beta carotene 5625 mcg gamma carotene 5.6 mcg trans beta carotene 5.4 mcg beta zeacarotene 1.1 mcg 15000IU 300% Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid/calcium ascorbate) 500mg 833% Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol) 400IU 100% Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopheryl succinate) 200IU 667% Thiamin (as thiamin mononitrate) 100mg 6667% Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine HCl) 100mg 5000% Vitamin B12 (as cyanocobalamin) 100mcg 1667% Pantothenic Acid (as d-calcium pantothenate) 100 Continue reading >>
Taking Diabetes Drugs With Nutritional Supplements
Today’s Dietitian Vol. 13 No. 11 P. 32 From chromium to magnesium to herbal remedies claiming to stabilize blood sugar levels, over-the-counter diabetes supplements continue to make their way into the hands of patients who want to manage their disease nature’s way. More than 50% of people with diabetes take nutritional supplements, and those with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely as those with type 1 to experiment with herbal treatments and other nonvitamin, nonmineral pills and capsules, reported Odegard and colleagues in the May/June issue of The Diabetes Educator. The question is, should they? More than 80% of diabetes patients are already taking prescription medications to help control their blood sugar. About 58% use one or more oral diabetes drugs, such as sulfonylureas (eg, Glucotrol, Micronase) and meglitinides (eg, Prandin, Starlix) that stimulate insulin release; biguanides (eg, Glucophage, PrandiMet) that decrease glucose production by the liver; alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (eg, Precose, Glyset) that block the breakdown of starches; DPP-4 inhibitors (eg, Januvia, Onglyza) that keep a blood sugar-controlling compound called GLP-1 active longer; and thiazolidinediones (eg, Avandia, ACTOS) that improve insulin action. Another 26% of patients use insulin alone or in combination with oral agents. Given the number of diabetes patients taking prescription medications, Anna Nabutovskaya, CDE, RD, of Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., doesn’t recommend over-the-counter supplements for fear of possible contraindications. “I’d never advise anyone to take extra chromium or magnesium or to use supplement-level doses of herbal remedies that claim to lower blood sugar,” she says. “One concern is hypoglycemia. A high-dose supplement and a diabetes Continue reading >>
The Importance Of Nutritional Supplementation
Author's Perspective: Nutritional supplementation is important but only if you eat healthy meals and if you use whole-food based supplements. Taking supplements in lieu of eating healthy foods just doesn't work. There's a reason why they're called "supplements" ... Most of us are aware that vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other nutrients are critical to our health. But, most of us are not aware that many of those supplements sold in grocery stores, drugstores, health-food stores, and on the Internet are synthetic and have very little nutritional value. When you think of a "vitamin", what picture pops into your head? For most of us, we picture a pill -- because we've been conditioned by television to believe that "vitamins" come in pills. For example: One-A-Day, Centrum. But, these colored tablets are nothing more than compressed rocks containing synthetic minerals, additives, and fillers. So, should we avoid taking supplements? Yes, if you're going to take synthetic supplements. No, if you're going to take whole food-based supplements. And, since more than 60% of the U.S. population takes some form of a nutritional supplement and more than 65% have some type of illness, it would suggest that some nutritional supplements are not working. So, if you choose to use nutritional supplements, it's important to recognize the key criteria to look for when purchasing a quality supplement -- so that you can reap the benefits of supplements without risking your health and wasting your money. So, you should stop wasting your money on the supplements you're currently buying. Most people believe the supplements they're taking are okay, but 97% of our clients are shocked to discover that they were wasting their hard-earned money on chemicals packaged as vitamins! You basically have 2 ch Continue reading >>
The Best Supplements For Diabetes
While eating a healthy diet (which includes mini-fasting) and exercising regularly are necessary to lower blood sugar naturally, these are not the only parts of my natural approach to managing diabetes. Nutritional support is also a key component of achieving healthy blood sugar levels. Supplements to Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels Are Critical One reason nutritional support is so important is because diabetes is a nutritional wasting disease. Elevated glucose levels act like a diuretic and cause substantial loss of nutrients in the urine. Therefore, people with type 2 diabetes are likely to be deficient in important water-soluble vitamins and minerals. Incredibly, most experts specializing in diabetes make no attempt whatsoever to replace lost nutrients, leaving their patients to suffer the inevitable consequences of nutritional deficiencies. A second reason nutritional supplements are essential is that certain nutrients work to support your body’s ability to use insulin, which can help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Anyone who has diabetes should—at a minimum—take a high-quality vitamin and mineral supplement every day. Research has shown that taking a potent daily multivitamin dramatically reduces the incidence of infection and the number of sick days taken by patients with type 2 diabetes. Must-Have Supplements for Diabetes In addition to a multivitamin, make sure you are getting the following nutrients to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Many are included in multivitamins, but not always at the dosages I recommend. If your multi comes up short, supplement with additional doses of the specific nutrients until you’re taking the recommended amount. B-Complex Vitamins Vitamins B6 and B12 specifically support nerve health, which is critic Continue reading >>
Spring Valley Diabetes Daily Pack, 30 Ct
Average rating:4.770833333333333out of5stars, based on48reviews48 reviews This button opens a dialog that displays additional images for this product with the option to zoom in or out. Average rating:4.770833333333333out of5stars, based on48reviews48 reviews Ships to Sterling, 45415 Dulles Crossing Plz Glucerna Shake, To Help Manage Blood Sugar, Chocolate Caramel, 8 fl oz, 24 Count Spring Valley Diabetes Daily Pack contains 7 dietary supplements in each packet, including Cinnamon, Chromium Picolinate, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin D3, Lutein, Vitamin B12, and ABC Plus Senior Multivitamin. Average rating:4.8out of5stars, based onreviews Average rating:5out of5stars, based on0reviews I found this Spring Valley Dianetes Daily to be energizing and it helps me maintain a healthy blood sugar level.Hope it helps a lot of people. I had to ask a Walmart employee to help me find it, hope Walmart keeps it readily available in it's stores and online. I'm going to buy more quickly.Thanks Walmart for helping people with Diabetes, hope this helps many people. We are all individual and each diabetic is an individual with an individual case of DIABETIS , this is excellent for me, hope it helps you too. Continue reading >>
Best Vitamins For Diabetics
Eating a varied diet rich in natural sources of vitamins is a good idea for diabetics. Nutritional support is critical for diabetics because diabetes tends to drain nutrients. When levels of glucose are high in the blood, the body tries to ‘wash’ the excess sugar out. This is why diabetics need to use the washroom frequently. Unfortunately, diabetics also lose nutrients via their urine. Research studies show that diabetics are repeatedly found to be deficient in important water-soluble vitamins and minerals. What’s more, the loss of these vitamins worsens the body’s ability to manage blood sugar, creating a vicious cycle. Combining a healthy diabetes diet plan and a daily exercise routine with the best vitamin supplements for diabetics goes a long way in achieving stable blood sugar levels. What Vitamins Are Diabetics Deficient In? The term vitamin is short for “Vital Amino Acid”. This means that these are vital for the proper functioning of hundreds of chemical processes in the body which the body cannot manage by itself. Proper blood sugar control is one such function for which vitamins are critical. There are 13 essential vitamins that the human body requires and they must be obtained from an external source — through food and/or supplements. Diabetics need two kinds of vitamins: Water Soluble – Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, Biotin, and Folate are water-soluble and cannot be stored in the body for longer periods of time. Diabetics are often deficient in these vitamins since they pass greater amounts of urine daily. As their body tries to get rid of extra sugar, diabetics lose more water-soluble vitamins than most others. That’s why diabetics need to to get these vitamins daily in doses larger than what normal people need. Luckily, you can get all Continue reading >>
