There are many components of a healthy diet that the pre-diabetic or diabetic individual should be certain to include. One of the most important is simply fiber. Fiber comes in two forms: soluble and insoluble. These are simply the type of fiber that dissolves in a glass of water, and the other type of fiber that is usually found in cereals. Both types of fiber help slow down the absorption of glucose from the digestive system, lessening the impact of “glucose spikes” and helping to maintain a healthy digestive equilibrium.  In particular, we have developed several products that can assist you in maintaining a healthy glucose level , as well as losing the extra pounds that are diminishing your quality of life.

Another supplement that can alleviate diabetic symptoms is glucomannan. Glucomannan forms a gel-like substance in the digestive system and can aid in absorbing excess sugar in the diet. It may also assist in lowering cholesterol and assisting with weight loss. Glucomannan should not be taken without consulting a nutritional counselor or doctor.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Alpha Lipoic Acid

When you think of diets, you usually think that you are going to be given a list of items that you are not supposed to eat. However, there are some components of a healthy diet that have disappeared in modern times, and need to be supplemented. In particular, certain fats are incorporated by the body that can have beneficial effects. One is omega-3 fatty acid. With the advent of processed foods, omega-3 fatty acids have nearly disappeared from the modern Western diet. Add to this the fact that for the first time in human history, there are as many children with Type 2 diabetes as there are with Type 1 diabetes. Could the disappearance of omega-3 fatty acids be the cause? (Link to “Supplements”) The NIH is undertaking a major study to determine the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on diabetes right now. To learn more about omega-3 fatty acids, click here.

Another fat that can have a beneficial effect is alpha lipoic acid. This fat occurs naturally in all cells in the human body, and assists in absorbing glucose from the bloodstream. Alpha lipoic acid has also been shown to decrease the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. It may also play a role in protecting the kidneys from damage due to high glucose levels in the blood. For information on how to incorporate alpha lipoic acid in your diet, click here.

Vitamins, Minerals, and Trace Metals for the Diabetic

In addition to the role that countless vitamins play in maintaining a healthy equilibrium, there are some specific vitamins and minerals that have been linked to activating or assisting insulin in the body. Other vitamins and minerals have been shown to decrease some aspects of the disease, such as neuropathy. These substances are available without prescription and should be implemented in most patients as early as possible after consulting your physician. Omega-3 fatty acids are important because they are anti-inflammatory (an immune response), reduce blood clotting, decrease circulating lipids or fats in the bloodstream, and allow blood vessels to relax and increase blood flow. The mechanisms of how omega-3 fatty acids contribute to your health can be found in (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 70, 560-569, 1999). An ongoing study is examining the benefit of adding omega-3 fatty acids to high-risk (hereditary) type 1 diabetes patients, initiating treatment in the third trimester of pregnancy through the first six months after birth, with treatment continued to 3 years for extremely high risk patients. If you or someone you know are at high risk for having a child prone to developing Type 1 diabetes, and would like to be included in this study.

Here is a short list of some of the vitamins and minerals for the diabetic:

• Biotin is necessary for metabolizing glucose
• Vitamin B1 might assist in lower blood glucose levels
• Vitamin B6 may alleviate symptoms of neuropathy
• Vitamin B12 may also alleviate symptoms of neuropathy
• Niacinamide may be important in early treatment of Type 1 diabetes
• Vitamin D might be critically important in activating insulin in your bloodstream
• Vitamin E might improve glucose tolerance
• Multivitamin /minerals maintain good health and strengthen the immune system
• Coenzyme Q10
• Chromium is beneficial for improving glucose tolerance
• Manganese is deficient in diabetics
• Zinc can help lower blood glucose in Type 1 diabetes