Diabetes and Nutritional Supplements
(Please note this article will only be discussing diabetes mellitus,
types 1 and 2 and not diabetes insipidus.)

People with a genetic predisposition towards diabetes or who actually have diabetes commonly experience significant nutrient deficiencies that eventually play a key role in the development of the degenerative diseases associated with diabetes. By making ourselves aware of these potential deficiencies and why they develop we are able to be more proactive in the overall maintenance of our health.

People with diabetes cannot properly process glucose, a sugar the body uses for energy. As a result, glucose stays in the blood, causing blood glucose to rise. At the same time , however, the cells of the body can be starved for glucose (glucose is the only fuel the brain can use.) Diabetes can lead to poor wound healing, higher risk of infections, and many other problems involving the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.

There are two types of diabetes mellitus. Childhood-onset diabetes is also called type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas cannot make the insulin needed to process glucose. Natural therapies cannot cure type 1 diabetes, but they may help by making the body more receptive to insulin supplied by injection. It is particularly critical for people with type 1 diabetes to work carefully with the doctor prescribing insulin before contemplating the use of any herbs, supplements, or dietary changes. Any change that makes the body more receptive to insulin could require critical changes in insulin dosage that must be determined by the treating physician.

Adult-onset diabetes is also called type 2, or non-insulin-dependent, diabetes. With type 2 diabetes, the pancreas often makes enough insulin, but the body has trouble using the insulin. Type 2 diabetes responds well to natural therapies.

Nutritional supplements that may be helpful.
A variety of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other supplements may help with symptoms and deficiencies associated with diabetes.

Multiple Vitamin-Mineral Supplement
In a double blind study, supplementation of middle-aged and elderly diabetics with a multiple vitamin and mineral preparation for one year reduced the risk of infection by more than 80%, compared with a placebo.

Vitamin E
People with diabetes have a higher than usual need for vitamin E, which improves insulin activity and acts as an antioxidant and a blood oxygenator. Research has shown that people with low blood levels of vitamin E are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. Double-blind studies show that vitamin E improves glucose tolerance in people with Type 2 diabetes. Vitamin E was found to improve glucose tolerance in elderly non-diabetics.
A vitamin E deficiency results in increased free-radical-induced damage, particularly of the lining of the vascular system. Supplemental vitamin E may help prevent diabetic complications through its antioxidant activity, the inhibition of the platelet-releasing reaction and platelet aggregation, increasing HDL-cholesterol levels and its role in fatty acid metabolism. Vitamin E protects animals from diabetic cataracts.
Note: If you have high blood pressure, limit your intake of supplemental vitamin E to a total of 400 international units daily. If you are taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner), consult your physician before taking supplemental vitamin E.

Vitamin C
People with Type 1 diabetes have low vitamin C levels. Vitamin C lowers sorbitol in diabetics. Sorbitol is a sugar that can accumulate and damage the eyes, nerves, and kidneys of diabetics. Vitamin C may improve glucose tolerance in Type 2 diabetes.
The transport of vitamin C into cells is facilitated by insulin. It has been postulated that, due to impaired transport or dietary insufficiency, a relative vitamin C deficiency exists in the diabetic and that this may be responsible for the increased capillary permeability and other vascular disturbances seen in diabetics.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Diabetics with neuropathy have been shown to be deficient in vitamin B6 and benefit from supplementation. Peripheral neuropathy is a known result of pyridoxine deficiency and is indistinguishable from diabetic neuropathy. Vitamin B6 supplements improve glucose tolerance in women with diabetes caused by pregnancy. Vitamin B6 is also effective for glucose intolerance induced by the birth control pill. 1,800 mg per day of a special form of vitamin B6-pyridoxine alpha-ketoglutarate-improves glucose tolerance dramatically.
Pyridoxine is also important in preventing other diabetic complications because it is an important coenzyme in the cross-linking of collagen and inhibits platelet aggregation.

Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 supplementation has been used with some success in treating diabetic neuropathy. It is not clear if this is due to the correcting of a deficiency state or normalizing vitamin B12 metabolism.
Vitamin B12 is needed for normal functioning of nerve cells. Vitamin B12 taken orally, intravenously, or by injection reduces nerve damage caused by diabetes in most people.
Oral supplementation may be sufficient, but intramuscular vitamin B12 may be necessary in many cases.

Biotin
Biotin is a B vitamin needed to process glucose. It has been shown to work synergistically with insulin and independently in increasing the activity of glucokinase. This enzyme is responsible for the first step in glucose utilization. Glucokinase is present only in the liver, where, in diabetics, its concentration is very low.
Supplementation with large quantities of biotin may significantly enhance glucokinase activity, thereby improving glucose metabolism in diabetics. When people with Type 1 diabetes were given 16 mg of biotin per day for just one week, their fasting glucose levels dropped by 50%. Similar results have been reported using 9 mg per day for two months in people with Type 2 diabetes. Biotin may also help reduce pain from diabetic nerve damage.

Niacin
High levels-several grams per day-of niacin, a form of vitamin B3, impair glucose tolerance. So, avoid large doses if you are diabetic. Smaller amounts of niacin may help some people with Type 2 diabetes.

Chromium
As a key constituent of the 'glucose tolerance factor' GTF, chromium is a critical nutrient in diabetes. Supplementation has been demonstrated to decrease fasting glucose levels, improve glucose tolerance, lower insulin levels and decrease total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while increasing HDL-cholesterol levels.
Double-blind research shows that chromium supplements improve glucose tolerance in people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, apparently by increasing sensitivity to insulin. Chromium improves the processing of glucose in people with pre-diabetic glucose intolerance and in women with diabetes associated with pregnancy.
The typical amount of chromium used in research trials is 200 mcg per day. Some doctors recommend up to 1,000 mcg per day of Chromium for diabetics.
Niacin administered at relatively low levels (100 mg) along with 200 mcg of chromium has been shown to be more effective than chromium alone. Exercise increases tissue chromium concentrations.

Manganese
Manganese is an important cofactor in the key enzymes of glucose metabolism. A deficiency of manganese was found to result in diabetes in guinea pigs. It also resulted in the frequent birth of offspring who develop pancreatic abnormalities or no pancreas at all. Diabetics have been shown to have only one-half the manganese of normal individuals.

Magnesium
Magnesium levels are significantly lowered in diabetics, and lowest in those with severe retinopathy. Studies suggest that a deficiency in magnesium may worsen the blood sugar control in Type 2 diabetes. Scientists believe that a deficiency of magnesium interrupts insulin secretion in the pancreas and increases insulin resistance in the body's tissues. Studies suggest that a deficiency in magnesium may worsen the blood sugar control in Type 2 diabetes. Supplementation with magnesium leads to improved insulin production in elderly people with Type 2 diabetes. Elders without diabetes may also produce more insulin as a result of magnesium supplements. Insulin requirements are lower in people with Type 1 diabetes who supplement with magnesium. Diabetes-induced damage to the eyes is more likely to occur to magnesium-deficient people with Type 1 diabetes. Low magnesium levels appear to be a significant risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease, particularly coronary artery spasm.

Potassium
Potassium supplementation yields improved insulin sensitivity, responsiveness and secretion in diabetics. Insulin administration often causes a potassium deficiency.

Zinc
Zinc deficiency has been suggested to play a role in the development of diabetes in humans. Zinc is involved in virtually all aspects of insulin metabolism -synthesis, secretion and utilization. Zinc also has a protective effect against beta cell destruction, and has well-known anti-viral effects.
People with Type 1 diabetes tend to be zinc deficient, which may impair immune function. Zinc supplements have lowered blood sugar levels in people with type 1, diabetes. People with Type 2 diabetes also have low zinc levels, caused by excess loss of zinc in their urine.
People with type 2, diabetes are recommended to supplement their diet with moderate amounts of zinc (15-50 mg per day) as a way to correct for the deficit.

Coenzyme Q10
People with diabetes cannot adequately process carbohydrates. Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is needed for normal carbohydrate metabolism. Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that fights free-radical damage and is a blood oxygenator.
Animals with diabetes are CoQ10 deficient. In one trial, blood sugar levels fell substantially in 31% of people with diabetes after they supplemented with 120 mg of CoQ10 per day.
Because the eye is so richly supplied with tiny blood vessels, this is another nutrient that can help in cases of retinopathy.

Inositol
Inositol is needed for normal nerve function. Diabetes can cause nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy. In some case supplementing with inositol may be helpful.

Carnitine
Carnitine is a substance needed for the body to properly use fat for energy. When diabetics are given carnitine (1 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight), high blood levels of fats-both cholesterol and triglycerides-dropped 25-39% in just ten days. In addition, carnitine improves the breakdown of fatty acids, possibly playing a role in preventing diabetic ketoacidosis.

Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid found in protein-rich food. People with Type 1 diabetes have low taurine levels, that leads to "thickened" blood-a condition which increases the risk of heart disease. Supplementing with taurine will help restore taurine levels to normal and corrects the problem of blood viscosity.