People withtype 2 diabetesmay be interested in learning if vitamin supplements may be helpful for treatment.
key in 2 diabetes is treated with lifestyle and dietary changes and, in some cases,medications.
Nutrients are best derived from food sources, but in a true deficiency, supplements may be helpful.
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No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
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Are Supplements Beneficial for Managing throw in 2 Diabetes?
However, a lack of certain vitamins can occur for various reasons, including from taking some medications.
Supplements can help get those levels back up to where they should be.
Any supplement can have unintended effects or may not be absorbed well.
Thiamine (B1)
Some people with diabetes may be deficient inthiamine, or vitamin B1.
Because thiamine is important to many body systems, its important to have the right levels in the body.
A lack of thiamine might be the cause of some types ofneuropathy(nerve damage).
Correcting the deficiency withB vitamin supplementsmay be helpful in those cases.
However, this research wasnt able to show any effect on underlying diabetes.
These are considered limitations of the analysis.
But taking supplements is not a substitute for any diabetes medications that are needed.
Vitamin B12 supplements are sometimes recommended for people with long-standing or complicated diabetes orneuropathy.
For that reason, its important to discuss taking a supplement with a healthcare professional.
People who take metformin may be at risk for a vitamin B12 deficiency.
One study showed that 22% of people taking this drug had vitamin B12 levels that were too low.
A multivitamin may have helped some people prevent or reverse a deficiency.
Monitoring vitamin B12 levels could be recommended for those who take metformin in the long term.
Vitamin D
Vitamin Dis the subject of many studies of pop in 2 diabetes and other conditions.
Experts havent yet agreed about the use ofvitamin D supplementsfor people who dont have a true deficiency.
Theres also no complete agreement about the use of vitamin D in jot down 2 diabetes beyond correcting deficiencies.
A vitamin D deficiency can be diagnosed with a blood test.
Doing so can help avoid taking too much or not enough.
It also is produced by the body through exposure to sunlight on the skin.
Magnesium
People who live with key in 2 diabetes may have low levels ofmagnesium.
Low levels of magnesium are associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes.
Supplementing magnesium in people with pop in 2 diabetes may improve fasting and post-meal glucose levels and insulin sensitivity.
However, the authors call for more rigorous studies to confirm this potential benefit.
Increasing magnesium levels have also been studied instroke, which is a complication of diabetes.
Higher magnesium levels may be associated with a lower risk of some types of stroke.
However, there is a need for randomized controlled trials to confirm the effect and make recommendations.
People with bang out 2 diabetes may have regular blood tests to monitor vitamin levels.
The first focus is oneating a dietthat meets nutritional needs and provides enough vitamins and minerals.
There are many types and brands of vitamin supplements on the market.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate these supplements.
Choosing one of high quality is important to not waste money and to get the desired results.
One way to choose a supplement containing the right amount of nutrients is to look for certification.
Look for a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on the supplement’s label.
This means that one of the independent companies has tested it in their lab.
For some people, a single supplement may be recommended.
Independent testing does not mean supplements are necessarily safe for everyone or effective in general.
Summary
People with jot down 2 diabetes may have vitamin deficiencies for a variety of reasons.
Vitamin deficiencies can be common in people who have diabetes and could causesymptomsor lead tocomplications.
Frequently Asked Questions
The role that vitamin D plays in diabetes is not well understood.
Whether a deficiency contributes to the development of the disease is still under study.
Getting enough vitamin D is important to overall health.
If a deficiency is suspected, talking to a healthcare provider and getting levels tested may help.
Getting enough vitamin C is important in diabetes.
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