Diabetes Control Requires The Proper Nutrients

B Vitamin Complex: B Vitamins are extremely important especially to diabetics but two are of particular help. Daily intake of vitamin B6 can reduce the need for insulin. Dr. John Ellis, M.D. found that a normal blood sugar level was regained when 100 mg of B6 was taken daily. Biotin, another vitamin in the complex, works with insulin in assisting the body in the utilization of glucose. Biotin is also instrumental in preventing or reversing peripheral neuropathy in diabetics. A person can find these in foods such as turkey, dark meat chicken, beef and chicken livers, mushrooms, oats, and avocado to name a few.

Vitamin C: Diabetics tend to be susceptible to infections. Vitamin C's antioxidant powers can help combat that. Also, vitamin C helps the body to form collagen which is important for vascular health delaying or preventing vascular complications. Deficiencies have led to a decreased production of insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Vitamin C can be found in foods such as broccoli, spinach, cabbage, mangoes, asparagus, cantaloupe, and citrus fruits for example.

Vitamin E: Frequently, diabetics suffer from damage to their eyes and kidneys. Vitamin E assists in preventing this damage because it is a powerful anticoagulant which reduces stress to the vascular regions of these vital organs/organelles. The following are foods which contain vitamin E: Spinach, almonds, peanuts, broccoli, mangoes, kiwi fruit and tomatoes.

Magnesium and Potassium: When the body is deficient in these two nutrients, glucose intolerance is likely. This leads to organ and nerve damage. Magnesium serves as a supporter and protector of the cardiovascular system. It helps to widen blood vessels and also reduces circulating cholesterol in the bloodstream. Potassium deficiencies can occur from the insulin support given to diabetics. Ironically, lowered potassium levels lead to poor insulin sensitivity, responsiveness and secretion exacerbating diabetic complications. You can find magnesium in nuts, seeds, whole unrefined grains, and green vegetables like spinach. Potassium can be found in bananas, apricots, dates, chicken, fish, turkey and so on.

Important but lesser known nutrients
Chromium: Whenever glucose or insulin enters the bloodstream, chromium goes right to work unless the body's reserves are low. Chromium deficiency in the average western diet means the body cannot replenish what is lost during the ordinary course of business. Add to that the fact that refined sugars strip the body of chromium adverse health conditions like diabetes is more likely. Chromium helps to normalize blood glucose levels and decreases insulin resistance. It can be found in many foods like beef liver, whole wheat or rye bread, chicken, potatoes and eggs just to name a few.

Alpha-Lipoic acid: Alpha-lipoic acid has been demonstrated to help increase the use of glucose by cells and lower insulin resistance. In fact, alpha-lipoic acid has proven to be so effective for diabetes treatment that it has been prescribed by German doctors for the last 30 years.

There are additional nutrients that are of great benefit to diabetics such as vanadium, zinc, coenzyme Q10 and essential fatty acids. Speak to a trusted healthcare provider to help create a plan that will optimize your health through proper nutrient intake.