A diabetic patient is more likely to have low blood sugar levels and hypoglycemia, which is a life-threatening condition that lasts longer than what the body can digest or absorb inadequate time. Most of these foods are rich in vitamin C, which could potentially be the best thing to do if you are trying to address any of these conditions. Here are some of the vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and other nutrients it might be worth adding to your diet if you are suffering from diabetes or prediabetes.
Benefit
Vitamin C is an antioxidant and its main benefit is protecting cells against free radical damage caused by oxidative damage (also called oxidative stress). This may be caused by various things like smoking, exposure to blue light, heat, and many other factors. But what makes this vitamin so useful for diabetics? When we talk about antioxidants, they come in different forms. And depending on how much time you spend in the kitchen preparing vegetables, soups, salads, bread, and sandwiches, you may need as many as five times as much as usual. So, adding up all those amounts of supplements is not a bad idea. It will definitely help manage blood sugar and improve the way our bodies work. If you are looking for something more practical, opt for a mix that contains both vitamin C and B complex, a potent antioxidant that works well by balancing cell hormones (such as cortisol and insulin) and preventing them from too much and too little oxygen in the blood (as we know from studies).
Besides enhancing vitamin K absorption, which is essential as far as diabetics are concerned, it might be nice to eat some broccoli and spinach every couple of days to ensure good absorption. They are rich in many phytonutrients (proteins that are beneficial for keeping your gut healthy), which help prevent chronic inflammation. Another important nutrient for diabetics to consider is magnesium, which plays an active role in controlling neurotransmission by inhibiting reabsorption, particularly when the glucose stays high. However, as mentioned earlier, taking magnesium-rich foods might not be enough. As long as their consumption does not exceed 8% of your daily intake, you will see better results than you would from supplements and medicines alone.
Apart from the ones listed above (which are necessary for maintaining adequate blood sugar), one should consider eating oranges and grapefruit (vitamin C) on a regular basis for supporting proper kidney function and reducing the risk of kidney stones. It might also be useful to include at least some citrus fruits, such as tomatoes, bananas, limes, lemons, and tangerines, among others, to regulate acid-base balance. Also, as noted in a study published in Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome (2015), people consuming nuts, berries, and oils rich in omega 3 fatty acids showed significant improvements in their HbA1c levels. One must not overlook the fact that the consumption of antioxidants may trigger side effects (although it is common to notice the same whenever you get those supplements). There are several companies offering natural products with no additives, but they all claim to be great, though a few may cause digestive discomfort or stomach pain for a short period of time. Try doing yourself a favour and stick with what’s made by reputable brands.
The right amount of vitamin C may significantly affect your health (so do how much), and there are a plethora of sources online where you can find information that can show you exactly how much. According to the Institute for Health and National Institutes of Health (2017), the recommended dose is 2,000 mcg per day and 1,000 mg per day (in contrast, capsules have 0.1 mg per gram). The American Diabetes Association has developed two recommendations: the first is 1000 mg/day and the second is 2,000 mg/day; although the latter is often taken as a higher dose so it doesn’t seem worth it. There is nothing wrong with anything mentioned there, even if you don’t take enough. Just remember that the advised amount does not matter if you just try one pill instead of three! You will see a big difference in your overall health and feel more energetic than before. Apart from the dosage, you could also choose between the capsule and liquid forms. Some liquid products are available at pharmacies; while some capsules can be purchased over the internet.
Another tip for diabetics is to consume lots of leafy greens and vegetables and avoid the consumption of processed foods and additives (e.g., packaged salad dressings, sauces, juices, etc.). Since they are packed with calcium, they can support the immune system, protect the kidneys from excess water, and decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is even suggested to include cruciferous veggies such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cabbage, celery, mushrooms, and kale in order to reduce the chances of hypertension. Don’t forget to add carrots to the list either, since they contain vitamins K, A, or C that could help improve metabolic health and lower cholesterol levels. Nowadays, a lot of brands offer fortified cereals as breakfast cereals, and they are really helpful for people who suffer from a lack of nutrients for getting through day-to-day life.
It is also advisable as well to look into a supplement with zinc (an anti-inflammatory that promotes gastrointestinal and respiratory health) and vitamin D3 in combination (a powerful antioxidant that modulates inflammation in the liver, red blood cells, arteries, and other organs). It is particularly interesting that many supplements containing zinc have been tested for improving blood pressure as well. Zinc is another mineral that is extremely useful for those suffering from type 2 diabetes. Many diabetics can now learn more about the benefits of zinc if they read reviews on the Internet. Additionally, research shows that zinc supplementation as well as increased dietary intakes of vitamin D can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and help regulate the production of insulin and other cytokines. Both zinc and vitamin D appear to be very effective to treat heart disease. Therefore, combining them is a great concept that can be applied to patients with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Besides being quite simple to obtain, it can also make a massive contribution to your weight loss. A 2015 review article (published in British Medical Journal Online, 2014) found that vitamin D supplements increase appetite, promote fat loss. On the other hand, zinc supplements (of which some products already use zinc) may actually increase your insulin response, so it is definitely worthwhile.
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