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Vitamin C And Type 1 Diabetes

High Doses Of Vitamin C Supplement Increase Blood Glucose Levels

High Doses Of Vitamin C Supplement Increase Blood Glucose Levels

According to the July issue of Diabetes Care, high doses of supplementary vitamin C may cause an unexpected elevation of blood sugar levels and false diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Donald R. Branch, PhD, reports the case of a 49-year-old, slightly obese man who took high levels of vitamin C, causing high fasting (121 mg/dl) and after-meal (220 mg/dl) blood sugar levels. The man, who had earlier been diagnosed as a potential candidate for type 2 diabetes based on his age, obesity and repeat elevated blood sugar readings, had taken 4,500 mg. per day of a synthetic, unsweetened vitamin C product for the past five years. The patient was asked to discontinue the supplement and, after seven days, morning blood sugar averages dropped to 99 mg/dl. He then restarted vitamin C supplements in dosages of 4,500 mg. per day, and morning blood sugars rose to 110 mg/dl. He discontinued the supplement again and, after one week, blood sugars dropped to 79 mg/dl. Branch says that elevated blood sugars, as a result of taking such a high dose of vitamin C, “…could result in a misdiagnosis of diabetes and/or additional, unnecessary testing, as in this case.” He adds that “..vitamin C-induced production of glucose may interfere in the glucose monitoring of true diabetic patients.” Branch says that the man reduced his vitamin C intake to 1,500 mg. per day, and his blood sugars returned to the normal range. He says that vitamin C, taken in dosages of 1,500 to 2,000 mg. per day, has been proven to effectively reduce blood sugar and HbA1c levels. Also, research suggests it prevents kidney injury in diabetic rats. This time of year, I always like to look back at the previous year and reflect on the people and the events that shaped me; giving thanks for what I have learned and reflecting Continue reading >>

Type I Diabetes

Type I Diabetes

Summary Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. It is a condition where your own immune system attacks certain cells called beta-cells. Beta-cells help you produce a hormone called insulin. You need insulin to help your body manage glucose you get from food and turn it into energy for your body to use. Researchers don’t know what increases your chances of developing type 1 diabetes. Researchers believe that having a family member who has type 1 diabetes might increase your risk of getting type 1 diabetes. Also, viral infections and environmental factors may increase your chances of developing type 1 diabetes, but we need more research to say for sure or understand which factors play a role. Research shows that there is a link between vitamin D and type 1 diabetes. People with high vitamin D intake during their first year of life are less likely to develop type 1 diabetes later in life. Some research also suggests having high vitamin D levels during pregnancy might help prevent type 1 diabetes in their children later in life. However, this research has been observational, meaning we don’t know for sure if getting enough vitamin D prevents type 1 diabetes. Studies have shown that vitamin D supplementation may help improve insulin sensitivity and help control blood glucose levels in those with type 1 diabetes, though research has been small and inconclusive, so we can’t say for sure if vitamin D helps at all in type 1 diabetes. If you have type 1 diabetes or you are trying to prevent type 1 diabetes and want to take vitamin D, it is unlikely to make your type 1 diabetes worse or cause you any harm, as long as you take less than 10,000 IU per day. However, it’s not proven that it will help your type 1 diabetes. It’s also not proven if taking vitamin D will help Continue reading >>

Effect Of Vitamins C And E On Endothelial Function In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Effect Of Vitamins C And E On Endothelial Function In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Effect of Vitamins C and E on Endothelial Function in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Rachel-Marie Cazeau ,1,2 Hong Huang ,3 John A. Bauer ,3and Robert P. Hoffman 1,2,4 1Section of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Nationwide Childrens Hospital, 700 Childrens Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA 2Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics, The Clinical Research Center, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health, Columbus, OH 43205, USA 3Department of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA 4The Research Institute, Nationwide Childrens Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA Received 1 June 2015; Accepted 14 July 2015 Copyright 2016 Rachel-Marie Cazeau et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Background/Objectives. Endothelial dysfunction due to hyperglycemia-induced oxidative damage is an important predictor of future cardiovascular risk in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and is present in adolescent T1DM. We hypothesized that combined treatment with the antioxidant vitamins C and E might improve endothelial function (EF) and other biochemical risk factors in adolescents with T1DM. Subjects/Methods. Open-label antioxidant supplementation was given for six weeks with endpoint measurements collected at baseline and study completion. Endpoints measured included EF and plasma measurements of biochemical endothelial risk. Results. Two males and 7 females were studied. Mean age was 12.9 0.9 yrs; mean T1DM duration was 5.5 2.5 yrs; mean BMI was 22.1 3.8 kg/m2; and mean hemoglobin A1c was 9.3 1.1%. No differences Continue reading >>

Stopping Type 1 Diabetes Damage With Vitamin C

Stopping Type 1 Diabetes Damage With Vitamin C

Stopping type 1 diabetes damage with vitamin C Researchers at the Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center have found a way to stop the damage caused by Type 1 diabetes with the combination of insulin and a common vitamin found in most medicine cabinets. While neither therapy produced desired results when used alone, the combination of insulin to control blood sugar together with the use of Vitamin C, stopped blood vessel damage caused by the disease in patients with poor glucose control. The findings appear this week in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. "We had tested this theory on research models, but this is the first time anyone has shown the therapy's effectiveness in people," said Michael Ihnat, Ph.D., principal investigator and a pharmacologist at the OU College of Medicine Department of Cell Biology. Ihnat said they are now studying the therapy in patients with Type 2 diabetes . The goal of the work being done by Ihnat and British scientists from the University of Warwick led by Dr. Antonio Ceriello is to find a way to stop the damage to blood vessels that is caused by diabetes. The damage, known as endothelial dysfunction, is associated with most forms of cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, peripheral artery disease, diabetes and chronic renal failure. By reducing or stopping the damage, patients with diabetes could avoid some of the painful and fatal consequences of the disease that include heart disease, reduced circulation and amputation, kidney disease and diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness. Insulin and many other drugs have long been used to control blood sugar, but Ihnat - in an earlier project with scientists in Italy and Hungary - found that cells have a "memory" t Continue reading >>

Diabetes Mellitus Is Controlled By Vitamin C Treatment.

Diabetes Mellitus Is Controlled By Vitamin C Treatment.

Diabetes mellitus is controlled by vitamin C treatment. Kodama Research Institute of Preventive Medicine, Nagoya, Japan. The present study was started to investigate the question of whether or not vitamin C administration may help control diabetes mellitus (DM) by stimulating the insulin mechanism of a DM patient. We were motivated to take up the above thesis by the anticipation that vitamin C, being detectable in abundance in endocrine cells, may play a cardinal role in the production of hormones. In the preliminary experiment, we investigated the relation between glucose, insulin and vitamin C in the plasma of a non-diabetic male volunteer in whom vitamin C was introduced intravenously either by injection or by infusion, and with or without concomitant administration of glucose. In the follow-up study of 3 DM patients, the effect of the vitamin C infusion therapy on DM was assessed by summing up multiple clinical information. Results obtained are as follows: 1) the drip infusion system was superior to the ordinary injection system for maintaining plasma concentration of vitamin C at a high level and for a long period. 2) The plasma concentration of insulin, when tested in the vitamin C infusion system, followed a bimodal curve--a finding to suggest that vitamin C may stimulate the insulin mechanism in 2 distinct ways. The early mode was glucose-dependent at its height, but the late mode was independent of glucose charge. 3) The praxis of vitamin C infusion produced clinical improvements in 3 DM patients. The therapeutic efficacy of the treatment varied from patient to patient. In all cases, control of DM was started by combined use of the vitamin C infusion treatment and the insulin injection treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS). Continue reading >>

Vitamin C And Diabetes

Vitamin C And Diabetes

D.D. Family Getting much harder to control I am not sure what your trying to do here, I take vitamin C also but am still diabetic. I've taken at least 1 gram (1000mg) a day (usually a lot more, like 3-4 grams) most days for many, many years---like 40 years. Like Fur, I'm still diabetic (but I almost never get colds or flu). D.D. Family T1 since 1966, pumper since '03, transplant '08 First off, it's a study of only 84 people, so pretty much useless. And secondly, while they say they had "significant" decreases in the lipids and bg measurements they took, it's possible that anything over about 3% change or so could be considered "significant". So you really have no idea how helpful the vitamin C really is. You also don't know if these people changed their diets, levels of exercise, or anything else about their routine. They had been, after all, referred to a diabetes research center, so very well may have received help in other areas. So whatever the decreases in markers were, they could very likely have been due to something other than the vitamin C All in all, a very misleading and vague study. Cut back on carbs and you could pretty much get the same results and not spend money. T1 since 1966, dialysis in 2001, kidney transplant in 02 from my cousin, pumping 03 - 08, pancreas transplant Feb 08 Continue reading >>

Diabetes, Type 1

Diabetes, Type 1

What is type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that accounts for five to 10 percent of all cases of diabetes. It initially develops most often in children and young adults. With type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin, the hormone needed to transport glucose into cells where it can be converted into energy. For this reason, if you have type 1 diabetes you will need to take insulin daily throughout your life. This form of diabetes has also been called juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes. What are the symptoms? Some of the symptoms of diabetes, such as persistent thirst or irritability, can seem relatively benign, which is one of the reasons why diagnosis may be delayed. With type 1 diabetes, however, symptoms may come on suddenly. Early detection and treatment can decrease the odds of developing the acute complications that can stem from type 1 diabetes. Common symptoms of diabetes include: Frequent urination Excessive thirst Extreme hunger Unusual weight loss Increased fatigue Irritability Blurry vision If high blood sugar levels are not brought quickly under control via treatment, acute complications of type 1 diabetes include severe dehydration and development of diabetic ketoacidosis. This is a metabolic state characterized by high concentrations of ketone bodies, which are byproducts of fatty acid breakdown, and can render the body’s tissues dangerously acidic. Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, which in turn can lead to shock, coma, and even death. Longer term complications of type 1 diabetes – which are also common to those with type 2 diabetes – include: Eye damage: People with diabetes have a 40 percent higher than normal risk of developing glaucoma, increased pressure w Continue reading >>

Vitamin C And Diabetes

Vitamin C And Diabetes

A new study has added to the growing amount of research showing that vitamin C- as well as a high intake of vegetables and fruits- may have protective effects against diabetes. This makes more than a little intuitive sense- after all Diabetes is a disease marked by a good amount of oxidative damage- damage done to your cells and DNA by rogue molecules called free radicals. Antioxidants- like vitamin C- can help protect against this. A cornerstone of the Atkins program has always been a diet high in antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and selenium, precisely because of their multiple protective benefits. In the current study, published in the July 28 edition of the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers collected food questionnaires from over 21,000 subjects. The researchers also measured blood levels of vitamin C in all the participants. The subjects were then followed up for 12 years during which 735 individuals were diagnosed with diabetes (about .4% of the population studied). There was a significant inverse association between vitamin C levels in the blood and the risk of getting diabetes. In other words those patients with the highest blood levels of vitamin C at the beginning of the study were the least likely to be among those who developed diabetes. Since vitamin C is often a “marker” for fruit and vegetable intake- after all, we get 90% of our vitamin C from vegetables and fruits- the researchers decided to investigate the effect of fruit and vegetable consumption independently from blood levels of vitamin C. Using the questionnaires, they determined that indeed, fruit and vegetable consumption did protect against diabetes to some degree. But surprisingly, the protection was not nearly as dramatic as the protection obtained by high blood lev Continue reading >>

Best Vitamins For Diabetics

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 >>

Vitamins And Minerals

Vitamins And Minerals

Tweet Depending on the type of treatment regimen you use to control your diabetes, there are some vitamins and minerals that may be beneficial for your condition. Before adding any vitamins or adding dietary supplements to your daily diet, discuss these changes with your healthcare team and doctor to ensure they are safe alongside any prescribed medication you're on. ALA and GLA ALA (alpha-lipoic acid) is a versatile and potent antioxidant, and may function to help diabetic neuropathy and reduce pain from free-radical damage. Also, some studies link ALA to decreased insulin resistance and thus the control of blood sugar. GLA (gamma-lipoic acid) is another naturally occurring antioxidant that is present in evening primrose oil, borage oil and blackcurrant seed oil. GLA may improve the function of nerves damaged by diabetic neuropathy. Biotin Biotin works in synergy with insulin in the body, and independently increases the activity of the enzyme glucokinase. Glucokinase is responsible for the first step of glucose utilisation, and is therefore an essential component of normal bodily functioning. Glucokinase occurs only in the liver, and in sufferers from diabetes its concentration may be extremely low. Supplements of biotin may have a significant effect on glucose levels for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Carnitine (L-Carnitine, Acetyl L-Carnitine) Carnitine is required by the body in order to correctly use body fat in the production of energy. It is naturally occurring and derives from hydrophilic amino acids. Diabetics who try carnitine generally respond well, and high levels of fat in the bloodstream (cholesterol and triglycerides) may fall fast. Carnitine helps to break down fatty acids in the body and binds acyl residues. For these reasons, it may be useful to pre Continue reading >>

Vitamin C Stops Blood Vessel Damage In Type 1 Diabetes

Vitamin C Stops Blood Vessel Damage In Type 1 Diabetes

Vitamin C Stops Blood Vessel Damage in Type 1 Diabetes Poor blood glucose control can lead to blood vessel and nerve cell damage in diabetics and the only known way to prevent this is to maintain healthy blood glucose levels, and even this does not always work. A recent research team, however, has found that combining insulin with vitamin C stops blood vessel damage in type 1 diabetics. Type 1 diabetics require insulin to maintain healthy blood glucose levels, which limits the risk of blood vessel damage, but insulin itself does not battle or stop blood vessel damage. In fact, some past research has demonstrated that once blood vessel damage begins in type 1 diabetics, it continues, even when blood glucose is properly controlled. Blood vessel damage, or endothelial dysfunction, results mostly from oxidative stress, and is a major reason that diabetics are at an incredibly high risk for cardiovascular disease. Oxidative stress in diabetics is also closely linked to neuropathy, retinopathy, and resulting pain, amputations and blindness. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for all humans, and protects against numerous ailments, from common colds, to scurvy. Its anti-oxidant properties are what help in battling oxidative stress. Many citrus fruits, especially oranges, contain large amounts of vitamin C, as well as kiwi, broccoli, papaya, and many other fruits and vegetables. The following conclusions regarding vitamin C mixed with insulin are believed to be applicable to other anti-oxidants as well. Based on past successful research models that showed a combination of insulin and antioxidants helped stop cell and blood vessel damage, the current research applied this treatment to type 1 diabetics with previously poor blood glucose control, and resulting blood vessel damage. Continue reading >>

Ways To Make Nutritional Progress Against Diabetes

Ways To Make Nutritional Progress Against Diabetes

Diabetes Home WAYS TO MAKE NUTRITIONAL PROGRESS AGAINST DIABETES (Introduction by Abram Hoffer, M.D.: Reading this chapter will report what can be done over and above the use of insulin and classical dietetics. I am very familiar with Type I (insulin dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes), as two members of my family have it. As this is not a medical text, the author does not describe the symptomatology and treatment using insulin. (By the way, doctors who treat diabetes are practicing orthomolecular medicine without knowing it, for they are using a hormone that is naturally present in the body.) Dr. Saul lists and describes both positive and negative factors in dealing with this condition. Thus for Type I, we have on the positive side the B complex vitamins, especially vitamin B-3, and vitamin C. The negative factors are diets which are too rich in free sugars and not rich enough in the complex carbohydrates. Negative factors also include milk, fluoride, coffee and vaccinations. When it is started at an early age, niacinamide will prevent diabetes from developing in many children born to families prone to the disease. I have also found niacin very helpful in preventing patients from suffering the long term ravages of diabetes, which are not directly due to high blood sugars, but to the side effects involving the vascular system. Niacin lowers total cholesterol, elevates HDL, and prevents the development of arteriosclerosis. Therefore these patients are less apt to become blind and lose their legs. With medical supervision, it may be used safely in dealing with diabetics, but you will need to find a doctor who knows niacin. Dr. Saul provides supporting references to the literature, which physicians will benefit from seeing. I was especially pleased to see that he cite Continue reading >>

Too Much Vitamin C Not Good For Diabetics’ Hearts

Too Much Vitamin C Not Good For Diabetics’ Hearts

Too Much Vitamin C Not Good for Diabetics’ Hearts Older women with diabetes who take high doses of vitamin C for the sake of their hearts may be doing more harm than good. The study, which followed nearly 2,000 postmenopausal women with diabetes for 15 years, found that those who took heavy doses of vitamin C supplements — 300 milligrams (mg) a day or more — were roughly twice as likely to die of heart disease or stroke compared with women who took no supplemental C. The researchers did find statistically weak evidence that lower supplement doses — up to 99 mg per day — curbed the risk of cardiovascular death, and high intakes of vitamin C from food were not related to a greater risk of death from cardiovascular causes. According to the researchers, their results suggest that taking supplements to correct the lower blood levels of vitamin C commonly seen in diabetes is not necessarily the right choice. And though the research focused on older women, the findings may apply to men as well, according to the study’s senior author. Dr. David R. Jacobs Jr., of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis stated that, "Our results, if confirmed by other research, would suggest that diabetics should be more cautious than others about taking supplements." The current recommended dietary intake for vitamin C is 90 mg a day for men and 75 mg per day for women. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize potentially cell-damaging substances known as oxygen free radicals, which are a normal byproduct of metabolism. While the vitamin is clearly necessary for good health, studies have garnered conflicting results on whether supplements help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. In addition, Jacobs and his colleagues note in the report, although people with Continue reading >>

Relation Between Intake Of Vitamins C And E And Risk Of Diabetic Retinopathy In The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study

Relation Between Intake Of Vitamins C And E And Risk Of Diabetic Retinopathy In The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study

Relation between intake of vitamins C and E and risk of diabetic retinopathy in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study From the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (AEM, RK, and JAM) and the Departments of Population Health and Biostatistical Medical Informatics (MP), University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison; the Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (ARF); and the Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (JS) Search for other works by this author on: From the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (AEM, RK, and JAM) and the Departments of Population Health and Biostatistical Medical Informatics (MP), University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison; the Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (ARF); and the Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (JS) Search for other works by this author on: From the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (AEM, RK, and JAM) and the Departments of Population Health and Biostatistical Medical Informatics (MP), University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison; the Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (ARF); and the Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (JS) Search for other works by this author on: From the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (AEM, RK, and JAM) and the Departments of Population Health and Biostatistical Medical Informatics (MP), University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison; the Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (ARF); and the Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chap Continue reading >>

Interference Of Intravenous Vitamin C With Blood Glucose Testing

Interference Of Intravenous Vitamin C With Blood Glucose Testing

Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is an integral component in the management of diabetes. However, it is important to understand the limitations of SMBG due to presence of interfering substances (1). We present a patient with diabetes and malignancy, who had falsely elevated blood glucose readings following administration of intravenous ascorbic acid (AA). A 56-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. She administered insulin glargine and insulin aspart before meals. After three cycles of chemotherapy, due to poor response, she decided to stop further traditional therapies. She consulted a naturopath, who started her on intravenous AA at a dose of 75 g twice weekly. Following this, she noted that her SMBG levels were consistently elevated after intravenous AA. She presented to the University of Washington where her SMBG downloads were reviewed. On the days she received intravenous AA infusion, the average blood glucose was 26.9 ± 4.8 mmol/L, compared with an average of 12.36 ± 2.7 mmol/L on other days. She was using glucose oxidase (GOD)−based strips (OneTouch, LifeScan, Inc., Milpitas, CA) for her SMBG. We suspected interference with AA in the measurement of blood glucose using GOD-based strips and recommended that she measure her blood glucose using glucose dehydrogenase-flavin adenine dinucleotide (GDH-FAD)−based strips (Bayer Contour, Tarrytown, NY). She was advised not to change her insulin doses. A written log comparing the two chemistries with the same blood sample confirmed significantly higher glucose levels with the GOD strips. Unfortunately, the patient died before we could download the meter or compare blood results with a hospital laboratory. AA is used as an alternate or adjuvant to chem Continue reading >>

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